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The Word and A Reflection and My Prayer

Cleansing of the Temple.

3rd  LENT  SUNDAY, March 7, 2021

THE WORD, Source:  John 2.13-25

Cleansing of the Temple.

13 Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

14 He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there.

15 He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables

16 and to those who sold doves he said, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!”

17 His disciples recalled the words of scripture,i “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

18 At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?”

19 Jesus answered and said to them,“Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”

20 Then Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?”

21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body.

22 Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the scripture and the word Jesus had spoken.

23 While he was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, many began to believe in his name when they saw the signs he was doing.

24 But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all,

25 and did not need anyone to testify about human nature. He himself understood it well.

A REFLECTION

The first reading at Holy Mass today brings to us the 10 Commandments as given to Moses. These represent the human part of a mutual covenant of God and human beings –  He is our God and we are His People.

The Holy Gospel at our Mass, the cleansing of the temple – my Father’s House –can be seen as an allegory – the cleansing we need as we are God’s People. (At a later time, Jesus will be even more gracious – God is our Father and we are His Children)

We cleanse ourselves on three levels –

  • the Ten Commandments – focusing on self and family and community “which is greatest  commandment?”; love God and love neighbor as oneself –
  • “I give you a New Commandment ” Even at the Last Supper, “Love one another as I have loved you.”  – to love as Jesus has loved us – compassion, mercy, forgiveness –

   St. Ignatius pointed out: Love is shown in deeds, not words.

MY  PRAYER

As you can imagine  –  it is time to cleanse your temple – an important Lenten activity

  • I sit quietly, in expectation –
  • I recall the Lord God is present with me as Jesus promised
  • I ask for the grace of the moment – to be cleansed –
  • How will I conform myself to the Ten Commandments; My conduct – my life – within my family and among others – I review the Commandments one by one –
  • How do I stand — loving God above all? How do I accomplish this? — loving others as myself –how do I fix my relationship with others?
  • Can I love as Jesus loves – compassionate, merciful,  forgiving – I desire this – I pray for this grace –

Create in me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me – from Psalm 51

Father Bill Kreutz, SJ Loyola House of Studies Scripture from the New American Bible                                                                                     

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The Word and A Reflection and My Prayer

4th Sunday of the Year 2021 January 31, 2021

The  Word Source:  Mark 1.21-28

The Cure of   a Man Possessed by an Evil Spirit

21  Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught.

22 The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.

23 In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit;

24*  he cried out, “What have you to do with us,* Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

25   Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!”

26   The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. and with a loud cry came out of him.

27   All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.”

28   His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

A REFLECTION

This Sunday’s gospel continues the beginning of Jesus public life –

Jesus is baptized at the river Jordan – three weeks ago; Jesus meets two disciples at the Jordan  – two weeks ago; Jesus calls Peter and Andrew and James and John to follow him – last week. Today – Jesus, with his disciples, exhibits his power as a teacher and his power over evil spirits.

How blessed we are that people remember the stories and wrote them down and so, have invited us to be present.

Presence and healing will be our prayer today –

MY  PRAYER

As always, take time to recall God’s presence in your life and at this moment. – Look at the picture, or close your eyes and ask for the grace to be present with the apostles and to be healed –Yes – to be healed  – not just to be present – of the evil within me – 

Holy One of God – drive out the evil within me – anger, resentment, jealousy, vengeance, laziness of spirit and body, total self -absorption –

Holy One of God – give to me a new spirit – give to me a spirit of love and service for my family and those who share my life –and others – especially those neglected and those in need –

Jesus, Holy One of God – be with me always

                                                                                                         

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The Word, A Reflection and Prayer

3rd Sunday of the Year 2021, January 24, Source:  Mark 1.14-20

The  Word

Jesus Calls the First Disciples   

14 After John [the Baptizer]  had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:

15 “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

16 As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen.

17 Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

18 Then they abandoned their nets and followed him.

19 He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets.

20 Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.

3rd-Sunday-2021 The Word, A Reflection and Prayer
Image from Google.

A REFLECTION

It was just last week that we read the gospel about Jesus meeting two disciples of John the Baptist who wanted to talk with him. One of them, as we know, was Andrew. He in turn shared his experience of Jesus with his brother Simon. They were both fishermen. We recall that it was Jesus himself who gave Simon the name Peter. Perhaps, after this first experience, they all met a few times. Jesus knew who they were.

Today we hear that Jesus had begun his ministry of teaching and healing. And he desired that others would share that experience with him. So, he looked for those whom he knew – Peter and Andrew and the two brothers John and James. They were all fishermen.

Jesus called them and asked/invited them to journey with him, to learn from him, to share his ministry of Good News. And so, they all left their nets and their fishing boats and their families to go with Jesus. They were invited to share the ministry of Jesus.

MY  PRAYER

To get started in this time of prayer, put yourself in a quiet comfortable mode – Recall that God is always with us as promised. Ask for the grace to hear the call to ministry – and to accepted and live by it

What is the ministry of Jesus?

Pope Francis and others have put it like this – Compassion, Mercy, Forgiveness, Healing,  Generosity, Kindness

>>   Reflect and pray over each of these – Do I bring these ministries of Jesus to others? Is there something holding me back? Anger? Resentment? Hurt feelings? Jealousy?…..

>> Ask for the grace to be a minister of blessing – as in each of the above- in the spirit of Jesus – Father give me the grace to know and to love and to share in the ministry of Jesus!

Father Bill Kreutz, SJ, Scripture from the New American Bible                                                      

                                                                                     

                                                                                   

                                                                                    

                                                                                   

                                                                                    

           

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The Word, a Reflection and Prayer

December 6, 2020, 2nd week of Advent

Father Bill Kreutz, SJ

The  Word

Reading 1    Prophet Isiah  40:1-5, 9-11

1 Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God.

2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end, her guilt is expiated; Indeed, she has received from the hand of the LORD double for all her sins.

3 A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!

4 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low; The rugged land shall be made a plain, the rough country, a broad valley.

5 Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed and all mankind shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

9 Go up onto a high mountain, Zion, herald of glad tidings Cry out at the top of your voice: Here is your God!

10 Here comes with power the Lord GOD, who rules by his strong arm; Here is his Reward with him, his recompense before him.

11 Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, Carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.

advent2 The Word, a Reflection and Prayer

A  REFLECTION  and  PRAYER

How wonderful the words of encouragement – today’s first reading. We are all feeling a bit low – COVID 19 devastates us with such heavy news, bad news each day. Some, for sure, feel endangered and they are worried about their families and friends. Others carry the heavy burden of the many in the hospitals -doctors and nurses, laboratory and office staffand the many maintenance personnel and cleaners – all carry the burden.

This is a very hard time – we really need good news; Yet I am sitting here, thinking of bright lights and listening to beautiful choral Christmas music.

Is this the best that I can do – is this all I can do? I am not sure but like the Magi, I follow the Star. These bring peace and joy to my heart. Some say this is just romanticism, but I have a gift of faith, I believe; I am comforted by the words of the Profit Isaiah.

And I take heed to John the Baptist’s call to change my life – to be better in the spirit of the Lord – for others. Can I bring comfort and joy to others? a telephone or video chat, a greeting, an email – with some beautiful pictures attached; a kind thought, a prayer; a forgiveness in my heart for those who have hurt me – and a prayer for them.

Using the style of Ignatian imagination:

  • I close my eyes and imagine myself walking through the wards of a crowded hospital 
  • I stop at one bed and another and talk for a few moments with the poor patient, perhaps an old person, a young mother, a crying child; and with each I pray to Jesus for healing and comfort and a Hail Mary.

You may also want to use this method:

Walking along the street and encountering many beggars who are in need; a little girl selling flower: can I visit a poor family with only a simple parol hanging at the door, no Belen. What do I say to these people – what do I do?

This is my offering, my time – taking time in prayer for others

I really don’t know how it works – but Jesus does –

A personal response to John’s call for change –        

Come,  Lord Jesus,  Come!

                  

Scripture from the New American Bible, Images from Google Images

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The Word, a Reflection and Prayer

First Sunday of Advent

November 29, 2020

By Father Bill Kreutz, SJ, Loyola House of Studies, Scripture from the New American Bible

 R: Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

2 O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
   from your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
3 Rouse your power, and come to save us.
R:  Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

15 Once again, O LORD of hosts, look down from heaven, and see; take care of this vine, and protect 16 what your right hand has planted the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R: Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

18 May your help be with the man of your right hand,
    with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
19 Then we will no more withdraw from you;
     give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
R: Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

A  REFLECTION  and  PRAYER

A beautiful Psalm 80 – a plea for God’s help.

The context of this cry of the Israelites that their Lord God come and save them is placed around 720 BC when the Assyrians defeated them in battle, devastated the land and took away men, women and children as prisoners to be slaves.

There was a realization that they had not been faithful to the covenant that Moses made on their behalf with God. The vineyard of the Lord was desolated – they cry out for help.

In our time, more than 2000 years later, the Church uses this Psalm in anticipation for the special coming of the Lord in the Christmas season. It would seem that only a spiritual message was to be communicated, a spiritual renewal to be asked for.

But now, November 2020, we do ask for healing and relief, we are overcome, devastated by the COVID 19 pandemic. We cry out for help. That may be our first thought.

Yet there are many others who need us to cry out to the Savior Jesus on their behalf:       

My thought today is that we pray for so many who suffer so much –

  • those caught in the drug wars in Mexico
  • the persecuted minorities in China, Myanmar, India and in areas of Europe, America and Africa
  • persecuted Catholics and Christians and other faiths
  • the jobless and the hungry because of this time of dislocation

As I consider those above, can I think of those nearby who suffer –

  •  workers not paid just wages
  •  abused staff and household helps
  • the many “little people” who suffer from the abuse of police and military

              Can we cry out for these –

It would be good to read this Psalm 80 each day this week and to take some time for reflective prayer –

The final thought – our mantra these holy days –

    Come, Lord Jesus, Come  – and save us –

And help us in your name to help save others –

Image from Google

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ST. IGNATIUS (4th part)

July 31, 2020

His Story

PARIS to ROME  1535- 1556

Ignatius and his companions join together to make their vows before the Lord on the feast of Our Lady’s Assumption, August 15 1534. They promised poverty and chastity and that they would make a pilgrimage and mission to the Holy Land after they had finished their studies in Paris.

  • 4th-IGNATIUS-2020-pic-1.docx ST. IGNATIUS (4th part)
  • 4th-IGNATIUS-2020-pic-2.docx ST. IGNATIUS (4th part)
  • 4th-IGNATIUS-2020-pic-3.docx ST. IGNATIUS (4th part)

In 1535 all will be finished. It was agreed that Ignatius should return to Spain for some time to recover his health. He stayed in the small village near the Casa Loyola but he did not live there. He stayed at a hospital for the poor. There he taught catechism to the children and engaged in spiritual conversation and advice to others who would come. After some time he left for Venice to join his companions there and to prepare for the pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

It was their agreement they would stay up to one year in Venice hoping to get a ship to bring them to the Holy Land. If their pilgrimage could not be accomplished, they would go to Rome and offer themselves in the service of the Holy Father.

As they waited they continued some private theological studies and with all ordained priests and, with the exception of Ignatius, offered their first Thanksgiving Mass.

They undertook street preaching to whoever would listen and ministered to poor persons in the hospitals. For a short time they dispersed to nearby towns for mission work and then returned again together to share their experiences. It was a special habit of theirs to have regular conversations about their apostolate’s spirituality and other matters as often as possible.

This gave them great strength and insight for their present efforts and the life that would follow.

That year there was no pilgrim ship to Jerusalem. And so in 1537 as agreed, they set out for Rome to be in the service of the Pope. At the small village of La Storta quite near Rome, Ignatius entered a small chapel.  While in prayer he had another great vision much determining the future of the companions. He saw God the Father together with his Son Jesus who was carrying his cross. Ignatius experienced that God commended him and his companions to the service of Jesus. And Jesus spoke to Ignatius saying that he would be favorable to him in Rome. What this meant was not clear, but Ignatius was at peace and the event would later influence  the choice of the name that they would give to their  companionship.

When they arrived in Rome they presented themselves to Pope Paul III. The Pope was pleased with Ignatius and his companions. But there were others who had heard of events in Spain and Paris and so were wary of them. An investigation was carried out and all was settled to the benefit of the companions.

4th-IGNATIUS-2020-pic-5.docx ST. IGNATIUS (4th part)

After prayer, discernment and conversation , the companions petitioned the Pope that they be a new order in theChurch. A number in the popes circle opposed this, but in September 1540, Paul III issued a papal bull approving of the Society of Jesus.

Previous to the above, on Christmas 1538 Ignatius offered his first Holy Mass at the Bethlehem Chapel of the church of St. Mary Major in Rome. Also, noteworthy to mention, before the papal bull was issued, Francis Xavier was sent to the Far East and India for missionary work in March 1540. He would be the first of the early Jesuits to go to foreign lands.4th-IGNATIUS-2020-pic-6.docx ST. IGNATIUS (4th part)

During his early years in Rome, Ignatius offered the spiritual exercises to a number of people in important positions in Church governance. He and the companions undertook much charitable work among the poor and those in hospitals. They also set up a residence for women who needed protection or desired to lead a new life. Teaching catechism to children was an important part of their early ministry. Many laypersons were part of these apostolates for others.

4th-IGNATIUS-2020-pic-7.docx ST. IGNATIUS (4th part)

It was early in the societies existence that it was asked to take care of the church of Madonna de la Strada.

Over the years to follow, Ignatius would spend much time in writing the constitutions of this new society. He was also engaged in much written communications with others especially concerning the governance of Jesuits and general spiritual advice for others. He was often in dialogue with Church leaders.The constitutions were finished in 1551, but Ignatius had already been chosen to be the superior of the order as early is 1541. In the early 1550s he was persuaded to write his autobiography. He did this with hesitation. Aided by his secretary, he was able to complete the task over the next few years.

  • 4th-IGNATIUS-2020-pic-8.docx ST. IGNATIUS (4th part)
  • 4th-IGNATIUS-2020-pic-9.docx ST. IGNATIUS (4th part)

Ignatius died peacefully on the morning of July 31, 1556. His was a life of great strength –originally for himself and his personal glory –and then fully spent for the greater glory Of God. Amen!

Reflection  and  Prayer

For this St. Ignatius Feast Day –

I offer for prayer a beautiful Novena to St. Ignatius.

4th-IGNATIUS-2020-pic-10 ST. IGNATIUS (4th part)

Prayers for yourself and for the Jesuits.

Thank You –

Father Bill Kreutz, SJ                                                  

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THE WORD, A REFLECTION, MY PRAYER

by Father Bill Kreutz, SJ, Loyola House of Studies.

13th Sunday 2020

The Word, Paul’s Letter to Romans 6.3-4,8-11

hands-up-1024x768 THE WORD, A REFLECTION, MY PRAYER
Dead to Sin; Life for God in Christ Jesus. Image from Google.

3 Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
4 We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.

8 If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.
9 We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.

10 As to his death, he died to sin once and for all; as to his life, he lives for God.
11 Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as [being] dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.

A Reflection and My Prayer

“New Life, New Life, You came to bring us New Life”

This is the theme for our prayer and reflection today; words from a song about God’s gift of life. (See below for Youtube link).
St. Paul puts it so clearly – death for sin; life for us in Christ Jesus!

Read the passage over again. Pray to understand; to internalize the words, ” . . . living for God in Christ Jesus.”

Well, we ask, what does it mean for my daily life? Does that Baptism of so many years ago make any difference?

In the early centuries of the Church, most baptism was done by immersion. And so going into the water was like dying and coming up was resurrection – death and resurrection like Christ. (For various practical reasons, immersion was no longer the standard; pouring or sprinkling with water became the practice.) A key element in this is to know, to remember that we are all God’s children and for this reason we are to live in the spirit of his Son, Jesus the Christ.

Reminder: Jesus is a man for others – a man of compassion and mercy for others. We, the children of God are born again in the style of Jesus – also to be men and women for others. Take time and pray on this – Jesus, ourselves, for others.

The Jesus’ reality is seen by the following:

  • Do we think kindly of others – pray for blessings on them?
  • How do we speak of others – with good words that build people up?
  • How do we act toward others – with kindness, generosity, with justice?
  • And what yet is still to be done for others? What can I do for others?

Go now to quiet prayer. Ask for the grace, for the spirit of Jesus to be in you, to possess you that you might be “for others” as Jesus was for others. End with the Prayer for Generosity.

Musical Prayer: New Life – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjH759VffKQ

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Fund for Apostolic Works

Pangantucan Community High School

PCHS was established as a response to the need for a high school in Pangantucan in the late 1960s.  The Land Authority Office of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources donated 32 has. of land with the sole intention of developing an agricultural school. 

For the last 50 years, the school has served its purpose of providing a high school program with agricultural electives especially for the children of farmers and tenants who cannot afford to send their children outside of Pangantucan. 

Fr-Bros-Flores-Pangantucan-Community-High-School-2020 Pangantucan Community High School
Fr. Ambrosio Flores, SJ, School President 2020. Jesuit Mission School
Kinilayan Village, Poblacion, Pangantucan, Bukidnon, Phils.

PCHS relies solely on government subsidy for students who cannot sustain the increasing cost of high school education.  The school deems it imperative to advance and promote agriculture as a stable career among the youth by utilizing the available land as a Demo Farm and Laboratory for students and converting the idle land as a social enterprise. 

For more information, please visit PCHS’ website https://bit.ly/3hCClCX made through the generosity of our partner in mission, Joe de Jesus.

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Feast of the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ

20200614-pope-francis-corpus-christi-afp-s Feast of the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ
Photo lifted from the web.

CORPUS CHRISTI 2020, by Fr. Bill Kreutz, SJ

THE WORD

St. Paul’s First Letter to the Christians in Corinth 10.16-17

One Bread-One Body

16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?

17 Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.

REFLECTION AND PRAYER

A little background:

The earliest mention of the Holy Eucharist in the New Testament is found in St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians written in the early 50s of the first century. It is assumed that there were already traditions about what happened at the Last Supper circulating among the early Christians, but the Gospels were compiled and written and circulated only at a later time.

In Chapter 11, verses 23-26, St. Paul says that he received personally from the Lord what had happened in the Last Supper in regards to the Eucharist. He does this to establish authority to guide the Corinthians in their celebration of the Eucharist. It was noted that there were strong distinctions made among various members of the community. This did not match well. The sense of unity that should come from sharing one bread. He spends much time on how people ought to act at Eucharist with a strong sense of sharing.

These verses and many other verses in that first letter of Paul to the Corinthians talk about the Eucharist and its central role in the early church in Corinth. But, he had found many abuses –  and so he had to tell the people, remind people, remind Christians what they had received from Jesus.

Our reading from today’s Holy Mass focuses on the unity that should be in the Church. Since all share of the one Body and Blood of Jesus.

As possible, take time, make time, to read that first letter to the Corinthians; it tells us much about styles and customs in the early church as perceived by Paul and it reminds us, even today, the sharing that should be going on.

A further note:

Those words: he took the bread, said the blessing, broke the bread and gave it to those gathered around. These words must have been very sacred for the early Christians. These words show up in the feeding of the 5000, and 4000, the meal of the men at Emmaus, and, of course, the very words of Jesus at the Last Supper. And now, 2000 years later we still use the same words. These are the words that the freest repeat over the bread and the wine. 2000 years of continuity with Jesus – we still believe!

 Take some time to pray; to offer thanks Jesus’ life for our lives, everyday, for us.

CORPUS-CHRISTI-1024x576 Feast of the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ
Picture lifted from Google

I chose the image above because it showed not a loaf to be broken and shared, but small hosts already on the dish to be shared among all the faithful.

With such great numbers of believers of Catholics, it is just about impossible to “break bread” in the common use of the term.

We accept the limitations of very simple bread made into the hosts that, by God’s power, become the Body and Blood of Jesus.

 A prayer of thanks for this gift, this power given to the Church.

To be able to receive Holy Communion is a bond of unity – or should be – it is a moment to reach out to others. Our thoughts and our prayers

  • all in the church gathered with us
  • all on the line to receive Holy Communion
  • all we will encounter during our day – family, friends, partners at work, even strangers along the street or on the bus

In that one bread, we reach out to a whole world – that is what we pray – like Jesus, who offered himself for all.

Lastly, this is a most difficult time for all who want to receive the holy Eucharist – we just can’t – but we do have that wonderful custom of “Spiritual Communion” which helps us as we watch Mass on television or on our mobile phone.

We pray for one another even though so far apart; Jesus is with us – and we with him – and with all believers.

The church has two very special possessions (among many); the Holy Bible and the Holy Eucharist. These are our precious possessions. Again, a deep, warm prayer of Thanksgiving.

Extra!    

Below are two wonderful music pieces celebrating the Holy Eucharist:

A wonderful and comfortable: Ave Verum — True Body — music by Amadeus Mozart

(You can find a translation into English on Google)

A mantra for the week: Your Body and Blood – Thank You Lord!

                       

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About Us

Philippine Jesuit Aid Association

Jesuitaid- the Philippine Jesuit Aid Association Inc.

The mission continues.

Our aim is to invite men and women to become our partners in the mission entrusted to us and help support that mission with their prayers and generosity especially in the following areas:

1 Recruitment, training, and commissioning of a new generation of Jesuits

  • Vow-Day-1024x685 Philippine Jesuit Aid Association
  • Fr-Manny-1024x685 Philippine Jesuit Aid Association

Philosophy, theology, communications – these are but some of the fields in which our young men need training. Aside from academic formation, future workers in the vineyard must also be given opportunities for spiritual growth. Investing in the next generation of ministers is investing in the Church.

2 Apostolic Works that Require subsidy, especially work for – and with the poor

Nabag-o-Jesus-Nazareno Philippine Jesuit Aid Association
Jesus Nazareno, Nabag-o, Bukidnon

The Philippine Province is engaged in rural parishes, parish schools and Indigenous Peoples (IPs). One example is our work in the island of Culion. Although Culion is no longer a leper colony, the Society is still engaged in educating the people of the island, many of whom are children of former lepers. The Province also sustains other mission parishes in Bukidnon, Mindanao, and many other social centers and retreat houses.

3 Caring for Aged and Infirm Jesuits

dsc_1142ed_27236248100_o-1024x688 Philippine Jesuit Aid Association
ONe of our aging priests being helped by care givers.

Jesuit priests and brothers who have grown old working long years in the educational, social, parish apostolates, or in retreat work and who are now in the Jesuit Health and Wellness Center deserve, in a special way, our care and compassion. With you as our partners in mission, we ensure that these men receive adequate medical care. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4Kn5eIom1k

4 Building up the Church in the Philippines

lst-facade Philippine Jesuit Aid Association
Loyola School of Theology

The Philippine Province maintains and staffs two seminaries: San Jose Seminary on the campus of the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City, serving the Philippine Church nationally; and St. John Theological Seminary in Cagayan de Oro City serving mainly the dioceses in Mindanao.

Partners in Mission

We appeal to you to continue as our Partners supporting our common mission with prayers and with generosity. Please contact the PJAA to learn more about our work and to find our how you can support the Philippine Jesuits.