Carlos Barbosa SJ--the very first Brazilian Jesuit sent to study in the Loyola School of Theology--reflects on how diversity shapes and enhances identity:
"I am becoming more aware that interactions with others enhance rather than diminish my own identity. The particular and the universal are not opposing forces but complementary dimensions of the same reality, a calling to the same vocation. I should emphasize that such an experience strengthens my sense of belonging to a global apostolic body, united in diversity. Beyond theological learning, LST has been a very good school for experiences of respect, friendship, and genuine hospitality."
From the Lectern
“Give me only your love and your grace. That is enough for me.”: Homily at the Mass of the Final Vows of Fr. Arnel T. Ong SJ
…Atong has learned from Ignatius to beg for only what is enough: “Give me only your love and your grace. That is enough for me.” With that, one can follow wherever Christ leads. Today, Christ says once more: “Come, follow me.” Atong knows much better what it costs. But more importantly, he knows much better…
A Brazilian Jesuit’s Mission in the Philippines
When I first got to the Philippines and started my intersection classes in June and July 2023, I had to deal with a lot of changes beyond just school stuff. I had to get used to a new rhythm of life, adjust to new cultural codes, learn new ways of communicating, improve my English, and figure out how I could…
The “Not Yet” That Shaped My Heart: Lessons from the Spiritual-Pastoral Formation Year and Beyond
Have you ever faced a moment where pushing forward felt wrong—like your heart was whispering, “not yet”? For me, that moment came during my seminary formation. After completing the Spiritual-Pastoral Formation Year (SPFY), I found the courage to admit to myself and to my formators that I wasn’t ready for third-year theology. The decision was mutual; the formators also…
To a Young Man Who Wants to Be a Jesuit
In these fast-changing and sometimes tough times, I feel a deep need to reach out to young people like you, who are thoughtfully considering your future and spiritual journey. As a Jesuit, I have been blessed to experience a profound journey of conversion and an ongoing call to live authentically, all grounded in God’s unconditional love and the mission of the Church. Today, I want to share some thoughts and experiences that might resonate with your own search for meaning and purpose.
COMMON HOME
Laudato Si’ and Integral Ecology 10 Years Later
How did we spend the last 10 years of living Laudato Si’ and integral ecology? Were we trying to listen, trying to learn perhaps, but remaining indecisive for periods, with increased distraction, division, and denial? The main challenge is not a project design—or a technology—but good will in seeking collaboration across silos. Where have we come from? The encyclical Laudato…
THE WINDHOVER
Year XXVIII (2026) Vol 2
Religious formation is a radical reorientation of the whole person - where life is continually shaped in deeper encounter with God, honest awareness of self,…
Universal Apostolic Preferences
The Universal Apostolic Preferences provide a guiding vision for the entire Society of Jesus. They ignite our aspirations and stir our ambitions, fostering unity in our shared mission. These new Preferences encompass four crucial focal points for addressing contemporary global needs. Over the next decade, the Society of Jesus will prioritize these areas, and we extend an invitation for you to delve deeper into them and join us in making a meaningful impact rooted in the Gospel.
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PHI Apostolic Plan 2026-2031
Philippine Jesuits Apostolic Plan 2026–2031 charts the Province’s shared mission for the next five years, rooted in the Spiritual Exercises, the Universal Apostolic Preferences, and the call of the Church to renewed missionary discipleship. Emerging from a Province-wide process of prayer, discernment, and spiritual conversation, the plan identifies four key mission thrusts. More than a strategic framework, it is a tool for ongoing discernment and action, and an invitation to personal and communal renewal, challenging every member, community, and institution to respond creatively to the signs of the times. Grounded in hope and inspired by the Gospel, the plan calls the entire apostolic body to journey together with courage, discernment, and generosity as companions of Jesus in service of the Church and the world.
