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Pope Francis has made it very clear how the future of the earth and the future of humanity are linked. This is especially true for the most vulnerable. Francis often reminds us that caring for and healing the planet is part of our Christian calling.
As we celebrate Easter and begin Earth Month, let us accept the pope's invitation to pray and reflect on the connection between the poor and the fragility of the planet; and the idea that everything in the world is interrelated. (Laudato Si #16)
What can help us do this?
A few days ago, my colleague Nick Napolitano, Provincial Assistant for Justice and Ecology, led a large group of staff members from the province in making an Ecological Examen. This prayer helped me to hear Francis' invitation again, with an Easter heart. I invite you to use this prayer this month, especially on Earth Day (April 22). Place yourself before the Creator and his creatures, make the examen and pray:
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God of love,
show us our place in this world
as channels of your love
for all the creatures of this earth,
for not one of them is forgotten in your sight.
Enlighten those who possess power and money
that they may avoid the sin of indifference,
that they may love the common good,
advance the weak,
and care for this world in which we live.
The poor and the earth are crying out.
O Lord, seize us with your power and light,
help us to protect all life,
to prepare for a better future,
for the coming of your Kingdom
of justice, peace, love and beauty.
Praise be to you!
Amen.
(Laudato Si #246)
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Carlos Aedo
Executive Director
Office of Ignatian Spirituality
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JESUITS GLOBAL
We Cannot Be Silent!
Statement from the Society of Jesus on the Situation in Gaza
"Almost six months of war in Gaza, and the guns have not fallen silent. We, the members of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), like so many other Catholics, Christians, men and women of all faiths and non-believers, refuse to be silent. Our voices continue to be lifted up in prayer, in lament, in protest at the death and destruction that continue to reign in Gaza and other territories in Israel/Palestine, spilling over into the surrounding countries of the Middle East."
Following the horrors of the attacks on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, the massive Israeli bombardments of the Gaza Strip, the ground offensive that has left most of the Gaza Strip in ruins, we are now witness to famine and the spread of disease in Gaza. Tens of thousands have died, almost 1,800 Israelis, over 32,000 Palestinians (not including those still to be unearthed from under the rubble). In addition to the lives snuffed out, there are hundreds of thousands of lives ruined, those who are wounded, homeless, and now hungry and smitten by disease.
We, Jesuits, reiterate our commitment not to remain silent. It is unacceptable that, despite attempts, almost six months into the present round of conflict, no one has been able to stop the killing. It is scandalous that no one has been able to ensure that the residents of Gaza have enough to eat. It is shameful that no one has been able to call the warmongers to account. Sadly, we remember that an ongoing conflict in the land called to be holy has been allowed to continue and fester as an open wound on the face of the Middle East.
Engaged for decades in the communities and societies of the Middle East, we, as Jesuits, want to say that it need not be this way. The choice of death over life, vengeance over reconciliation, wrongdoing over justice, self-interest over relationship, violence over dialogue is a choice and not fated destiny. There are other choices that could be made. We will continue to foster a dream of a different future, a future already foreseen by the prophets in the Holy Scriptures. “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” (Isaiah 2:4)
We join our voice to that of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, who has repeatedly warned: “War is a defeat! Every war is a defeat” (Angelus, 8 October 2023). We repeat our call for an immediate ceasefire, for the release of all the 7 October hostages, for negotiations and for the beginning of a process that will bring freedom, liberty and justice for all in the Middle East, the only road to true peace.
Click here to read the statement on the Jesuits website.
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IGNATIAN SPIRITUAL DIRECTION INITIATIVE
A Conversation Among Spiritual Directors of Color
May 11, 2024, 10:00am-1:00pm ET
This spring we are hosting a special online conversation among Spiritual Directors of Color. We will support and learn from each other as we discuss the challenges and opportunities we face as well as our hopes and desires. This gathering will provide a unique opportunity for those of us who identify as Spiritual Directors of Color to share about our lived experience of offering spiritual direction.
Click here for more information and to register.
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OFFICE OF JUSTICE AND ECOLOGY
IGNATIAN SOLIDARITY NETWORK
Ecological Examen
This Ecological Examen asks you to reflect on your personal relationship with creation, to acknowledge and amend your ways and to promote ecological justice by standing in solidarity with those most impacted by environmental harm.
Pray the examen.
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GLOBAL IGNATIAN ADVOCACY NETWORK
Ecojesuit
Ecology and Jesuits in Communication or Ecojesuit online is a twice-monthly web-based newsletter of the Global Ignatian Advocacy Network (GIAN)-Ecology. Jesuits and their partners throughout the world are invited to understand and share in the critical work of reconciliation and responding to ecological concerns (GC35 Decree 3, GC 36).
Read more on Ecojesuit.com.
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CATHOLIC CLIMATE COVENANT
2024 Earth Day Program
The 2024 Earth Day program focuses on the growing problem of plastic pollution and complements the secular Earth Day theme of “Planet vs. Plastics”. The one-hour program will help your community learn about how plastic production, consumption, and disposal are impacting human and planetary health, and give you strategies for personal, community, and systemic actions.
Read more at Catholic Climate Covenant.
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DICASTERY FOR PROMOTING INTEGRAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Laudato Si´ Action Platform
Take concrete actions in the care of our common home. The Laudato Si´ Action Platform offers the Church tools and resources for the journey towards total sustainability in the spirit of integral ecology.
Read more and enroll.
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THE LAUDATO SI' MOVEMENT
Laudato Si´ Animators Program 2024
The Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat invites all companions to take advantage of this free online course on integral ecology promoted by the Laudato Si’ Movement. Starting in April, the course will be held in various languages. It consists of 4 sessions, once a week, one hour and a half each, with an evaluation at the end of each session and a project to complete the course and obtain the certificate. Find out more!
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OFFICE OF IGNATIAN SPIRITUALITY
Examen Live for the Season of Creation
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Cecilia Calvo and Brenna Davis offer the Ecological Examen that asks us to reflect on our personal relationship with creation. Watch and pray now. | | |
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COVA SANT IGNASI MANRESA | ONLINE
International Symposium 2024 on the Spiritual Exercises and Ecological Conversion
June 11-15, 2024
This symposium focuses on how the experience of the Spiritual Exercises can promote an awareness and a change in attitude toward the ecological crisis. It is primarily for retreat house directors, those who accompany the Exercises, and those who have responsibilities in the formation of Ignatian spirituality.
Click here for more information and to register.
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IGNATIUS HOUSE JESUIT RETREAT CENTER | GA
The Adventure Deepens
Weekend Workshop for Spiritual Directors on the Exercises
April 25-28, 2024
Spiritual directors are invited to a 3-night workshop led by Fr. Kevin O’Brien, SJ, spiritual director and author of The Ignatian Adventure as we delve into the art of directing the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
Click here for more information and to register.
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IGNATIAN SPIRITUALITY PROJECT | IL
Company of Grace: The Power of Sacred Stories
April 25, 2024
Join the Ignatian Spirituality Project and guest speaker David Brooks as they wrap up their 25th anniversary jubilee with a night to remember! This year’s event is hybrid and will be streamed live at 7:00pm Central.
Click here for in person or virtual tickets.
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LOYOLA JESUIT CENTER | MORRISTOWN, NJ
Transforming Painful Emotions
May 10-12, 2024
From time to time, we all suffer from anger, shame, grief, fear, and loneliness. These emotions can lead us to negative behaviors with ourselves and others. We can also transform these emotions into a positive lifestyle. During this weekend retreat led by Judy Schiavo, we will examine these emotions and make them a conduit to deepen our relationship with God.
Click here for more information and to register.
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BOSTON COLLEGE | MA
Summer at Clough School of Theology and Ministry
Each summer, Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry offers a range of summer courses and programs aimed at ministerial development. Offerings include:
- Intensive on the 19th Annotation of the Spiritual Exercises for Spiritual Directors
- Post-Master's Certificate in Spiritual Formation
- Courage to Preach, a new certificate on the intersection of faith and justice for ministers working with young adults
Click here for more information.
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POPE'S WORLDWIDE PRAYER NETWORK
Pope Francis' Prayer Intention for April 2024
This month, Pope Francis asks us to join him in praying for the role or women. Let us pray "that the dignity and immense value of women be recognized in every culture, and for the end of discrimination that they experience in different part of the world."
Click here to pray.
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Retreats
Our Retreat Calendar offers a compiled list of retreats presented by OIS and our partners across the Jesuit network.
Click here to add your retreat to the calendar.
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The Nativity Phenomenon: A Model that Works
by Jack Podsiadlo, SJ
The Nativity Phenomenon: A Model that Works is the story of an educational adventure that opens pathways to a productive future and provides educational justice for students from underserved, economically challenged families.
Readers can dive into the history of the program, but more importantly, into the stories of Nativity graduates, their teachers, and volunteers.
Click here to order.
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Praying for Freedom: Racism and Ignatian Spirituality in America
Why do the Spiritual Exercises not change us as deeply as we hope? This is the haunting question that was raised at the recent general congregation of the Jesuits about Ignatius’s Spiritual Exercises and the question the contributors to this book explore and attempt to answer in the context of ongoing racial injustice in the United States. All of us who love and are engaged in Ignatian spirituality must also ask ourselves this same question.
Edited by Laurie Cassidy, PhD. Contributors Include: Maka Black Elk (Oglala Lakota), Laurie Cassidy, Matthew J. Cressler, Pauline Delgadillo, Elise Gower, Armando Guerrero Estrada, Jeannine Hill Fletcher, Ken Homan, SJ, Alex Mikulich, Maria Teresa Morgan, Marilyn L. Nash, Maureen H. O'Connell, Hung T. Pham, SJ, Christopher Pramuk, Andrew Prevot, Patrick Saint-Jean, SJ, and Justin T. White.
Click here to purchase the book.
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Office of Ignatian Spirituality | USA East Province of the Society of Jesus
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