14 Apr

In 2008, Pope Benedict's addresses to Jesuit audiences have strongly echoed the thinking of twentieth century Catholic philosopher Bernard Lonergan, suggests Gerald Whelan SJ. Who was this influential man, and why is his work so important and relevant to Jesuits today?This article was originally published in La Civilta Cattolica, 6th September 2008. It was reposted on Thinking Faith in November 2014. Bernard Lonergan SJ was born in December 2004....

05 Apr

One problem we encounter in college is that students who are no longer made to go to church stop going. I think the problem is not that we've failed to enforce the value of church: the problem is that we've failed to give our children the power of choice. One of the best things to teach about church is that it is an option we are all free to accept or reject. "No" is a real option. And it is better that children encounter it sooner rather than later....

29 Mar

Community is coloured by the richness and diversity of the personalities of its members. The fabric of a community has been dyed and tinted by the many unique individuals who grace its life with their presence. Once I lived in a community that had a high turnover of some off-the-wall characters. One of them was a man by the name of James....

25 Mar

For more than 400 years, Jesuits working in Canada have written about their daily life and mission. Originally, their letters were published as The Jesuit Relations (Relations des jésuites). This blog, igNation, continues that tradition with a new series entitled: Getting to Know the Relations.Using excerpts chosen from the first 200 hundred years of these documents, the series presents vignettes which speak to the timeless heart of Jesuit endeavour: the promotion of discernment in order to help people find God in all things.Today: Reducing wait times in a busy clinic...

15 Mar

Fr. Jack Murray, SJ, kind, attentive but firm, good natured with a charming sense of humour, became a great favorite with the students, teachers and parents of the school and parishes where he worked. He was a singularly talented man - he produced over 100 plays in 26 years at St. Paul's - and a true Jesuit. As a former student said: "He was a good priest. There was no compromise to his priesthood." Today's posting is one recollection about a man whose simple piety and love of teaching and creating appealed to many....

08 Mar

On the morning of Sunday, 14 December 1997, I was looking forward to a relaxing day off, first by cleaning my room. I was busy with the vacuum cleaner when a community member burst into the room. Bishop Anthony just phoned. Tom has been killed!" I turned the machine off, put on a jacket, raced to the cycle shed, and after five minutes was at Tom's rented bungalow, a simple four room house. Rachan, the house boy, had come to work at 8:00 A.M. as usual. He found the front door ajar, and Tom lying on his floor sleeping matt, his throat slit. "...

04 Mar

For more than 400 years, Jesuits working in Canada have written about their daily life and mission. Originally, their letters were published as The Jesuit Relations (Relations des jésuites). This blog, igNation, continues that tradition with a new series entitled: Getting to Know the Relations.Using excerpts chosen from the first 200 hundred years of these documents, the series presents vignettes which speak to the timeless heart of Jesuit endeavour: the promotion of discernment in order to help people find God in all things.Today: Something between a hovel and a palace...

24 Feb

When asking some fellow Jesuits about Fr. Michael Lapierre, one replied that he is a quiet man with a subtle smile; another said that he is an old-fashioned, not glamorous, hard-working man. An image that comes to mind is that of the faithful and prudent servant, whom the master finds awake and at work upon his arrival (Luke 12:42-43)....

13 Feb

The world meeting of grassroots movements 'is a sign, a great sign', Pope Francis declared when receiving their representatives in the Vatican on 28 October 2014. What do the expressions 'popular or grassroots movements' mean? Where did the idea of inviting them to the Vatican come from, and how did the meeting unfold? But most of all: what does this sign tell us about the direction that Pope Francis is proposing for the Church and the world?...

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