Sometime after we published the book Walking with Ignatius, which contains a conversation between Father General Arturo Sosa, SJ, and journalist Dario Menor, we had the opportunity to meet Father General Arturo Sosa, SJ, in person on October 25, 2024, amid his busy agenda at the Synod of Bishops in Rome. This meeting was indeed a very precious moment. Together with Father Jose Cecilio Magadia, SJ, regional assistant for Asia Pacific, and Father Leo Agung Sardi, SJ, spiritual director at the Collegio Internazionale del Gesù, we enjoyed an intense conversation with Father General for no less than an hour at the Curia Generalizia, Borgo Santo Spirito 4, Rome.
The content of the conversation was truly impressive, affirming, and moving. Therefore, we would like to share it through this writing. Here are three important things that Father General conveyed in the conversation.
Joint Mission or Shared mission (la mission compartida)
As explained in the book Walking with Ignatius, Father General explains amazingly the meaning of the Joint Mission. In our conversation, this refers to “the joint mission of Jesuits and laity.” This topic is also relevant to our concerns, such as lay people working in institutions of the Society of Jesus.
Father General explained that the meaning of “Joint Mission” is not merely sharing the mission of the Society of Jesus with all members of the institution or can be exemplified, for example, in the form of mission-sharing activities that are often carried out between work institutions. More than that, joint Mission means that Jesuits and laity together realize and provide themselves as instruments (tools) of God in carrying out His mission in the world, namely bringing the good news. This mission belongs to the Jesuits, the Church, and all of God’s people who carry out Jesus’ mission in the world.
Father General’s statement felt jarring for those who have often thought of themselves as professional workers in the Society of Jesus’ work institutions. “Simply contributing professional skills” in the dynamics of company management is not enough. It is more than that. All members of the Society’s work need to take part in the meaning of the work, the distinctive identity, and the source of inspiration of the Society of Jesus. By working in the Society of Jesus’ work institutions, everyone should not just be an outsider or apathetic but must become proactive to walk together as “companions in the mission,” becoming witnesses of salvation (companeros en la mission) in the world through daily work.
Collaboration (Jesuit-lay)
The consequence of this awareness of the “Common Mission” is establishing collaboration between Jesuits and the laity around them. Collaboration is not just co-working but truly providing oneself to work with others. It is not enough to have many collaborators; what is more important is the existence of openness, quality, depth, and sincerity in the process of working together with others.
For the Jesuits, the presence of lay colleagues can be a kind of “vaccine” to prevent clericalism or feudalism. For the laity, the presence of the Jesuits is a kind of “compass” that shows direction and purpose. Both parties need to continue to struggle to be more open to differences in perspective from each other. Among the Jesuits themselves, there needs to be continued encouragement of the desire to struggle in sharing missionary missions with lay colleagues.
Walking With Young People
For those of us struggling with socializing with young employees from generations Y and Z, one of the challenges that is not easy is introducing them to Ignatian Spirituality, which is the institution’s spirit. Faced with the orientation of most young employees who tend to be more interested in secular and professional matters, sometimes Ignatian Spirituality feels “not so interesting” in motivating their work. Responding to this, Father General emphasized that it is still necessary to consistently carry out the Ignatian formation process in any situation, especially very challenging ones. Ignatian Spirituality is a way to show the way to God. This way, it does not need to be forced on others, but it is necessary to continue to be offered and introduced to many people, including young people.
Father General gave an example that in all educational institutions of the Society of Jesus, students are introduced to the basics of the Spiritual Exercises from an early age, such as examen, reflection, and spiritual conversations. In the company context, this example confirms that we should continue introducing new employees to the basics of spiritual exercises from an early age. Father General’s statement affirms that we should pay attention to the details of the process and dynamics of Ignatian formation for employees from the first time they join.
This memorable meeting ended with dinner with members of the general curia. We are grateful that healthy food satisfies us physically, but the messages delivered by Father General satiate us spiritually. That night, we went home with deep consolation.
Contributors: Mg. Sulistyorini and Peter Satriyo Sinubyo – PT Kanisius
