News from the Provinces 2010
45 Scolastics from Germany, Austria and Switzerland gather in Switzerland
The picturesque environment of the Lassalle House, situated above the Lake of Zug in central Switzerland, was the inviting venue for this year’s meeting of the German speaking scholastics of the Society of Jesus, which took place from the 29th of October to the 1st of November. Every year we gather at a different place in one of the three provinces to share and discuss our views on a topic of common interest and of course to see each other and enjoy each other’s company. Being dispersed in different places of work and study, this is an especially welcome opportunity to spend time together. We were joined by the scholastics from other countries, who are currently doing studies or pastoral work in one of the three provinces, and by the second year novices from the inter-provincial noviciate in Nürnberg. This brought young men from the USA, Congo, Lithuania, Poland, Vietnam and Chad together with the scholastics of the three German speaking provinces, the German province including Sweden and Denmark. As you can imagine, the atmosphere was a little bit like at the EJIF Meeting this summer in Palermo, where we were a group of 25 people from 21 different countries.
As topic of the meeting we had chosen interreligious dialogue on the level of spiritual experience. The topic and the location of the meeting fitted perfectly together since the Lassalle House has a special focus on interreligious dialogue. It offers numerous courses on topics concerning different religious traditions as well as courses in Zen meditation that attract many people. This focus becomes visible also in the very architecture of the Lassalle House which was constructed in the so called harmonical way of building in 1968. From my own experience formed mainly by a two week holiday that I had spent there earlier, I can say that the place is shaped by an atmosphere of inwardness and harmony that can only very rarely be found.
The center piece of our discussion on the topic of the meeting was a study day which offered every scholastic the possibility to take part in one of the workshops offered . These were held on different aspects of the subject: An introduction to Hindu-faith and -spirituality, characteristics of Muslim prayer, Zen and Christian prayer, the experience with an interreligious prayer-service that is regularly held on a public square in the center of Berlin. For me it was easy to choose my favorite workshop. Since I have spent one year in India, I found it very rewarding to take part in the experiences of Hubert Hänggi SJ, who, taking all his time there together, has been living in India for many years and is a real expert on Hinduism.
He has not only studied it deeply but also truly shared and shares the life of Hindus, their spirituality and way of praying and living their faith. For me it was fascinating to see how truly and deeply he respects, understands and values the Hindu Religion as a whole and not only parts of it that can be shared and esteemed by other religious traditions as well because they are somehow fitting in.
Apart from the study day, the meeting with the new German Provincial, Stefan Kiechle, who took over office from Stefan Dartmann on the 1st of September, and his two colleagues, Gernot Wisser from Austria and Pierre Emonet from Switzerland, was an important item on the program. The scholastics meeting is a valuable opportunity for us scholastics to share our views on the provinces and their latest developments. Many of the scholastics are living in apostolic rather than scolastic communities together with fellow Jesuits of all different ages. Sometimes that makes it difficult to develop and implement our own “style” or way of handling things as scholastics in everyday life.
All of this was rounded up by a visit to the “Gemeinschaft der Seligpreisungen / The Community of the Beatitudes” in Zug. This young spiritual community for families, consecrated brothers and sisters and priests was founded in 1973 by Ephraim Croissant and has its spiritual roots, among other sources, in the Jewish foundations of our Christian faith and in the heritage of the Orthodox churches. The members of the Zug-community gave us a very cordial welcome to their house and a brief introduction to the history and current situation of their congregation. To conclude our meeting and to share spiritual community with our brothers and sisters of the Beatitudes, we took part in the service on the High Feast of All Saints. On the precious occasion our companion Stephan Lipke SJ was given the honor of preaching about the gospel of the beatitudes.
In addition to all that, the meeting of scholastics was, as it is every year, the moment to elect the new EJIF delegates. For the German Province René Pachmann and Claus Recktenwald were elected and are going to take part in next year’s EJIF meeting in Spain.
… Reported by Gunnar Bauer (GER), Berlin
From the EJIF meeting to a new apostolic opera of Slovenian Jesuits
This year’s EJIF meeting in Palermo gave to a new generation of scholastics an opportunity to grow in commune (European) discernment about faith and culture nowadays 
(cf. the News bulletin Jesuits in Europe, Nr. 150, September 2010, the “EJIF’s corner article”). As a representative of Slovenian Jesuits in formation, I also made this wonderful experience.
This summer, beside to the EJIF meeting, I dedicated a lot of attention to a retreat house “Ignacijev dom duhovnosti” in Ljubljana, Slovenia. This one, after a 2-year lasting reconstruction, has recently been opened with a solemn ceremony (26th September 2010, cf. the new Slovenian Jesuits’ web page, www.jezuiti.si). In this article, I would like connect both realities – the EJIF discernment experience and the actuality of the retreat house.
Some history of the retreat house (and how I got to Palermo)
In the month of July, I made my summer service in the Jesuit community of St. Joseph, in the centre of Ljubljana. For the retreat house, I gave some practical help at the reconstruction works, and then made a small research about the history of the community. 27th July Croatian scholastic Zvonimir reached me, and the next day we made together a travel to EJIF meeting. We took a flight from Venice to Palermo, Sicily (Italy), where we reached other scholastics. We lived in the student colleague CUM of the Jesuit school centre CEI of Palermo.
Connecting this travel to history of the retreat house, I can found some simple parallels. The retreat house was built by Jesuits in 1925. That time, in 20’, other Croatian in formation were present in the community of St. Joseph, as there was a novitiate of the commune Yugoslav province. The novices helped (by liturgy, house works) in the retreat house, which offered 30 rooms. In the 1927 house gave a spiritual treat also to a famous person, which has to do with Venice. It was Angelo Roncalli, apostolic nuncios of Bulgaria, who later became the patriarch of Venice and pope John XXIII. But the mayor part of participants of the spiritual exercises in the house were young boys (like colleague boys in Palermo) from all around the country, then priests, workers and teachers.
The European dimension
The EJIF meeting was a great, 3 weeks lasting opportunity to know concretely the European dimension of the Society of Jesus. In the first days we listened to the provinces’ presentations (14 different) and tried to find out commune characteristics of our societies and our services. Furthermore, two of scholastics were from the East Asian assistance. Also social meetings and spending whole days together helped us to experience this great variety, which is not given ordinarily.
Rethinking the international dimension of the old S. Joseph’s community in Ljubljana, surprisingly I can find many examples. Firstly, after the Restoration of the Society of Jesus, Jesuits of Slovenian and German nationality firstly came to Slovenian capital in the 1887. Till the 1st World War they belonged to the Austrian province, than to the Yugoslav and they made bigger part of their formation abroad. On the nowadays’ location of the retreat house, they constructed their own residence and offices for different activities in 1896-7. Secondly, before the 2nd World War, their services were similar to those in Central Europe: caring about the popular missions, catechism and homiletics, lay congregations, retreats and sending missionaries abroad, even to Asia – to Bengali (Eastern India). They were publishing a “Messenger of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” which, besides other articles, kept on comparing the retreat house in Ljubljana with other retreat houses in the West (Europe, North and South America). Thirdly, the East European Assistant in the years 1931–65 was Slovenian, Fr. Anton Preseren. It was he who interfered in the 1938, when the body of the Assistance’s patron St. Andrew Bobola had been transferred from Rome to Poland, to let it stop for some hours at the St. Joseph’s community in Ljubljana. Lastly, the retreat house had been planned by the most famous Slovenian architect Jožef Plečnik (and is therefore protected as a cultural monument), who in some Central European capitals, as Prague, Vienna, and Ljubljana.
Culture without faith? (The retreat house under the communism)
The second part of the EJIF meeting this year was a 4-days lasting forum, concerning the question of faith in modern (secularised and heterogeneous) culture. The point which touched us mostly, was the optimistic look on the contemporary rationalised technologies, shaping our way of living: Do they just make poor our relations and disposability for faith, or do they also help and open new possibilities?
In the case of the retreat house, some kind of “modern” culture happened in 1949, when Jesuit property in Slovenia has been nationalised, and the Jesuits prosecuted. The residence and church of St. Joseph were assigned to a film industry company, till the restitution to the Jesuits in 1996. The retreat house was transformed into a maternity and gynaecologic hospital till the 80s, and after till the restitution into a suite of offices. Usage of this property in the period of communism – surely it happened to be bad (doing abortions in an ex-retreat house, shooting pornographic films in a past-church), but who can make limits to God’s mercy? Some contemporary Slovenian Jesuits were born in this ex-retreat house, and the building trades who had the offices in it, after the denationalisation reconstructed the huge St. Joseph’s church.
Technical progress has brought some positive changes between the old and renewed retreat house. Once, only men came to do exercises here, now both men and women are invited. Once it was a place of the periphery, now it is a part of centre; but the urbanising and new constructing materials help to assure silence, required for retreats.
Former guests of the retreat house had to heat their rooms for themselves and use commune bathrooms, now they have modern central air conditioning and own small bathrooms. Furthermore, every room has communication installations and their doors open with a magnetic card etc.
Do these changes necessarily mean a temptation or unfaith?!
Personal experience of faith brings us to the borders (but not without spiritual exercises)
The longest part of the EJIF meeting was the 8-day retreat for scholastics, directed by Italian provincial fr. Carlo Casalone. Prayers were proposed along the book of prophet Jonah, in order to proceed in the discourse of faith, especially on the cultural borders (Nineveh ...). I’m deeply sure that without this personal experience of faith (and unfaith, as we lived the dynamics of the 1st ignatian week) our meeting and commune discernment would lack of profoundness. The program of EJIF meeting concluded with elections of the new coordinating committee. This also was an interesting experience of discernment, as included a traditional procedure of “murmuratio” and voting.
In Slovenian province, the spiritual exercises are the most significant apostolate of Jesuits. The renewed retreat house wouldn’t like just offer different programs (of retreats, spiritual and biblical education, meditations, social spiritual meetings, and spiritual accompaniment), but also deepen our national knowledge in spirituality and teach it. This means a challenge for the whole Jesuit province. So we should proceed in our personal and commune experience, and we want to imitate our founder, as says the name of the retreat house “Ignacijev dom duhovnosti” – St. Ignatius’ home (or house) of Spirituality. May the story of the house (old times, nationalisation, reconstruction) be the sign of Jonah for us?
… Reported by Rok Bečan (SVN), Padova
The Papal Visit in Great Britain
Picking up from EJIF's this summer, Great Britain was like a ripe fruit ready for the slicing of Pope Benedict XVI. The pope’s historic visit has finally come and gone after months of tempestuous talk and tabloids. The events were actually better attendedthan expected, given the hoops everyone had to jump through to get to the events. Not only were passports and other ID needed, but people from parishes were rumoured to have had to leave as early as 1am to get to events like the one in Cofton Park, Birmingham. Thankfully, the Jesuit scholastics had an easier time than most, as we were specially invited to attend a Morning Prayer service for religious in education.
Following the Pope’s historic visit on Thursday 16 September 2010 to the Queen in Scotland, on Friday 17 September 2010, about twenty scholastics came to the event with the provincial Michael Holman SJ. EJIF was well-represented with all our delegates and guest who are studying London present (including myself, Wouter Blesgraaf Eddie Cosgrove, John Kim, and Martin Khiet Pham).
e had to arrive at the venue, St. Mary’s University College, Twickenham, by 8.00am. After security checks that were actually not too rigorous, the scholastics continued unto a spot of picture taking with the pope-mobile. We then proceeded to the chapel where a music practice was conducted. At 9.00 am, a full morning prayer was orated with reflections from three religious, including Michael Holman who spoke about the social justice side of religious education in Britain.
At the scheduled 10.00 am, the pope was meant to arrive for a shorter service with him but unfortunately he ran late, and the congregation of religious had to sing the opening chant (Veni Sancte Spiritus) for about twenty five minutes. Repetition is of course an Ignatian principle, but this perhaps was a bit much. Readings and prayers were followed by a short address by the pope to the congregation of religious educators when he offered heart-felt encouragement to keep up the good work. I was struck by the beautiful softness of his voice. His tender, almost motherly, tone offered some genuine reassurance. He then blessed a gift of a mother-and-child icon that he gave the college, blessed us and exited the building.
The congregation in the chapel were invited to watch a larger event of Catholic pupils called The Big Assembly in the St. Mary’s, Twickenham track. Here the pope was more inspiring in his speech.He called the young “to grow in holiness”, asking them to consider sainthood as their goal, stating that only God “can satisfy the deepest needs of our hearts”. He then reminded us that Catholic schools are designed not just for academic development but for the progress of the whole person.
The pope would go on to Lambeth Palace, the London home of the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, head of the Church of England. He then went to speak at Westminster Hall at the Houses of Parliaments to Britain’s political leaders. He ended that day celebrating evening prayer at Westminster Abbey with the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Over the weekend he would visit Westminster Cathedral, St. Peter’s Home, Hyde Park, Cofton Park (where he beatified John Henry Newman), the Oratory of St. Philip Neri, Birmingham, and Oscott College. It certainly was a whirlwind visit, and I think most people, especially Catholics, felt a little tossed around and unsure about it. Many were inspired and surprised by the pope’s humility and warmth, others were probably never open to the possibility of any kind of meaningful experience, some were in the kind of ecstasy that such people are always have when confronted with the pope and other celebrities. Amongst the JIFs, I would note that the reactions and feelings about the weekend were probably as varied as they were for everybody else, a clear sign perhaps of the diversity of people that our least society fondly embraces in its bosom.
… Reported by Stefan Garcia (BRI), London
Meeting of scholastics in regency in Dresden, Germany
In the week of February 15th to February 19th, a meeting of all the scholastics of the German speaking provinces (Switzerland, Austria and Germany) took place in Dresden. 12 Jesuits came to the beautiful retreat house "Hoheneichen", which is located al little bit outside of the city in the lovely valley of the river Elbe. Fr. Petrus Köst guided us through this week. Of course we used most of the time for sharing. Each of the participants had about one hour to tell about his work, inner movements, community life, prayer etc. and the others could ask questions or give feedback. We also had a very interesting cultural program with a sightseeing tour to the very nice old town of Dresden and an evening in the world famous opera house ("Semperoper") with Beethoven's Fidelio.
It was a good time to renew relationships, reflect on your work and how you do it, get feedback and good ideas from other Jesuits in the same stage of education.
nterestingly enough: Most of the participants said, the most impressive "event" during this week was the meditation in the chapel of the retreat house at the evening of Ash Wednesday, when we sat one hour in silence!
… Reported by Arnold Weis (GER), St. Blasien
Bratislava College and its pastoral endeavour
Apart from the typical academic life at the our Theology Faculty of Trnava University over here in Bratislava with all the interesting and dull moments which are related to a student’s life, we also intensively deal with pastoral developments, keeping the old customs and trying few innovations…
A lot of groups and teams have risen up alongside our Jesuit Church which is situated in the very heart of the city center: five CVX groups, two Lectio Divina prayer groups, three Church-choir groups, Lectors group, one Family group… The task and the question now for us is how to connect these different and separated cells into a structure and to create a good pastoral body.
There are two special Masses: the Family Mass and the Student Mass. The Family Mass is distinguished for its special program for children during the Liturgy of the Word which takes place in a large room next to the Sacristy. Afterwards the children take part in procession of gifts and the Eucharist. Young parents are involved in our pastoral team organizing the whole Eucharistic celebration and many other activities.
The second one – Student Mass – is for students and young adults. During this Lent season we offered them some additional programs such as conferences (e.g. about Ignatius spirituality), audio-visual reflection on the Station of the Cross, adoration of the Holy Cross. After both Masses (first takes place on Sunday and the second on Monday) an agape is prepared which gives us opportunity to strengthen our relationships.
Many take advantage of our Spiritual Center in Ivanka close to Bratislava for weekend’s retreats or various workshops as well.
Finally, the coming of warm spring days gives us an opportunity to come up with some outdoor activities: trips and barbecues in order to deepen the partnership with our lay-friends.
…Reported by Jaroslav Mudroň (SVK), Bratislava
What’s new in Cracow’s community?
In January the Polish scholastics studying philosophy had their triduum of renewal. They went to Czechowice-Dziedzice, where is located one of our Retreat Houses. The Retreat has been led by Father Waclaw Krolikowski who is an expert of Ignatian spirituality. At the end of this sacred time 36 young Jesuits renewed their vows.
In February we finally finished our exam session and after that we began our awaited winter’s holiday! It was a time of different activities. First of all it was a moment of relax and rest. Some of us went skiing and took a seaside mountain trip. Other visited their families.
During holiday some of us participated in a 3-days session about “Spiritual accompaniment in practice” which was held in our Ignatian Spiritual Formation Centre in Gdynia.
In the course interesting topics were discussed e.g. “the person giving the Exercises in the light of the Annotations”. It was a great opportunity to prepare for ministry in the future.
Moreover, at the end of our holiday we had a Media Course. We were divided into three groups and we had exercises with journalists who work in religious publications in Katowice and with reporters from Cracow’s television and radio.
Now we are starting a new semester of philosophy. Greetings!
… Reported by Maciek Obrzazgiewicz (PMA), Krakow
Scholastics' News from the Polish Province PME
I would like to share with you some information about events which occurred in the Southern Polish Provinces PME.
Actually the Cracowian college scholastics are very much occupied with an examination session which has just started and will last to the end of the month. So our efforts are mostly focused on passing good exams!
We are enlarging our school (called Ignatianum) with two floors.
During the Christmas holidays scholastics were sent to our parishes to aid the Jesuits there working. They were mainly occupied with church decoration and liturgy. Some of them participated also in Christmas visits of parishioners.
As is tradition, the Cracovian scholastics issued our periodical Jezuici Nasze.
(Photo n°3) - Wiadomosci (Jesuit News, see www.jezuici.pl). The number of this periodical was titled Jesuits and borders, and called the people of our mission as a people of frontiers. Inspiration for that title was found in the words of Pope Benedict XVI which encouraged Jesuits "to reach the geographic and spiritual places where others do not reach or find it difficult to reach."
Finally, I would like to wish for all of you plenty of light effusion of the Holy Spirit.
Yours in Christ,
Jarosław.
… Reported by Jarosław Mikuczewski (PME), Cracow
Polish Scholastics in the recent months…
Scholastics from the Polish Northern Province (PMA) had diverse activities during the summer holidays. A good number was involved in the Jesuit Youth Days (for a sample video see here ) in Święta Lipka, which is a regular yearly event bringing together students from our university chaplaincies.
Some were traditionally attending the “SZARA” – scouting group of the walking pilgrimage from Warsaw to the Marian Shrine of Częstochowa (see Paweł Kowalski SJ on photo). Most of us were also assisting in various spiritual exercises in our retreat houses. We even had a representative (Jacek Olczyk SJ ) on the Ignatian Youth Days (IDM) in Stara Wieś (organised for secondary school pupils) where he led a workshop on facilitating communal prayer.
After the holidays we went to our respective regencies (Poland, Denmark, Taiwan) or places of study (Cracow, Warsaw, Rome, Paris, Berkeley or Bratislava). Of these probably the most conducive is the latter. Not only is it in the most beautiful country in Europe, but thanks to its convenient location, it enables easy travel to neighbouring states – whenever need occurs – like recently to meet Pope Benedict XVI in Brno (photo: the undersigned fourth from right:).
… Reported by Adam Juchnowicz (PMA), Warsaw
