The Gifts of the First Companions Today

Ignatius and vision

We need the vision of Ignatius, that will allow us to see God, the world, our work, and ourselves differently.

• In an increasingly secular culture, we need his capacity to see the invisible God “who works and labors in all things.” (Exx 236).
• At a time of much discouragement in the country, we want to see again that we are not the only agents of change, but that the “risen Christ, far from being absent from the world, …is now present…and continues to mediate God’s work of brining salvation, justice and reconciliation to a world that is still broken by its sins.” (GC 34)
• We need to see our works, not as isolated personal projects, my work, my ministry, but our privileged sharing in God’s great work in the world.
• We need to see ourselves, not primarily as parish priests, or educators, or social workers, or artists, or formators, but as servants of Christ’s mission. Thus, we might rediscover freedom: that readiness to continue, adapt or let go of particular works, as we seek to discern and serve God’s ongoing work and unfolding plan.

Xavier and passion

We desire to receive a share in the passion of Francis Xavier.

• In times of complacency or resignation, partially due to the magnitude of problems and concerns, we need a reawakened “urgency to announce the good news.” (Kolvenbach)
• We need a share in Francis’ acute sense of the need of those around him and his desire to bring the hope of the risen Lord to those most deprived of it: “Francis bears the good news to help those who no longer reflect the image of God and are deprived of their proper humanity and are plunged into misery.” (Kolvenbach)
• At a time when we are tempted to despair because of the seemingly unending cycle of poverty, corruption and political instability, we want a share in Francis’ dauntless spirit of perseverance in the face of trial and apparent failure, his unalterable conviction that the Truth and the Life which is the Lord can transform human life.

Favre and caring

We hope to be given some of the caring spirit of Pierre Favre.

• At a time when the burdens that we need to bear are so many, because of the many needs, our fewer numbers, our increasing elderly and sick, our over-extended men, we desire to fulfill better the office of consoler to each other and so build apostolic community. We long to be able to say with Xavier. “Society of Jesus…Society of love.”
• We hope, by bound not simply by bonds of employment, but of spirit, mission, friendship.

CONCLUSION

This Jubilee Year, as we contemplate the special gifts of our founding companions, Ignatius, Xavier, Favre, we pray that our Province may be blessed with:

• Ignatius’ vision that brings hope and freedom;
• Xavier’s passion to bring God’s life to those deprived of it and endures despite difficulty;
• Favre’s caring that builds true community.

With the First Companions, we pray that we, Jesuits and Lay Partners together, may be Companions in the Lord, Doing God’s Work, for the Hope of the World.