On Thursday, 22 May 2025, the Jesuit Scholasticate of Pulo Nangka hosted Café Puna, a relaxed forum for sharing experiences related to Ignatian spirituality with the scholastics of the Society of Jesus. The event, running from 7.30-9 PM, was held both in-person at the Pulo Nangka Scholasticate and online via Zoom.
The theme ‘Discerning the Will of God,’ had successfully attracted 65 participants on-site and 50 online, including environmentalists, students, and members of various religious groups interested in spiritual life and discernment. The main session featuring Scholastics Herdian and Pond, discussed the three stages of discretion in Ignatian spirituality. The focus was on the third stage, where decisions are made through calm reasoning rather than intense emotions or experiences.
It was emphasized that this reasoning should include inner freedom, allowing a choice that is not only good but also glorifies God and is fulfilling. The session concluded with a Q&A, where participants discussed the challenges of discernment in life and work choices. Jesuit fathers, including Fr Sardi, Fr Effendi, Fr Siwi, and Fr Widi, answered questions and stressed the importance of daily reflection and spiritual guidance. Overall, this event served as an enlightening space for spiritual growth, with hopes for its continuation as a platform for exploring Ignatian spirituality.
Contributor: Fr. Alexius Aji Pradana, SJ – Public Relations of Café Puna
