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Dear Friend,
It is the week of All Saints and All Souls. This Sunday, November 5, the entire Ignatian family celebrates all the Saints and Blessed of the Society of Jesus. Along with these commemorations of holy men and women, our attention is turned to the Holy Land, and the ongoing war and conflict that persists in the Middle East.
During this time of violence, it is important to remember that we are not just part of one Ignatian family, but also part of a global community. The Society of Jesus has had a presence in both Israel and Palestine for many years now.
The global Society of Jesus issued the following statement last week about the situation. Please read it. Sit with it. Spend time to pray with it.
And join us in embracing the invitation and call to advocate for peace.
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Stop the Killing in Israel-Palestine!
Last week, when speaking to his weekly audience, Pope Francis urged the world to take “only one side” in the Israeli-Palestinian war – the one “of peace”. He added, “War does not solve any problem, it only sows death and destruction, increases hatred, multiplies revenge. War erases the future”. He called for a day of fasting, penance and prayer for peace on Friday October 27, for everyone, whatever their religion.
The Society of Jesus endorses the Pope’s unconditional call for peace.
The Society of Jesus has been present at the heart of the conflict in Israel-Palestine and throughout the Middle East. Jesuits have been deeply engaged in dialogue with Jews. Fully committed to the uprooting of the teaching of contempt for Jews, anti-Judaism and anti-Semitism, the Society of Jesus also recognizes the rights of Jews in Israel and everywhere else in the world. Never again must Jews be murdered, raped, maimed, tortured, kidnapped and threatened.
Jesuits have also been deeply engaged in dialogue with Muslims who form the majority of Palestinians together with the Christian Palestinians. They are fully committed to the building up of multicultural and multireligious societies in Palestine and throughout the Middle East. They are active in the fight against Islamophobia and racism. Palestinians have the right to live everywhere in their homeland in dignity and peace. Never again must Palestinians be murdered, buried under the rubble of their homes, expelled, starved, collectively punished and exiled.
It is time to say, stop the killing and promotion of ideologies that permit it. Stop instrumentalizing religion for political power projects. Decades of violent conflict have brought nothing but ruin on the entire region and escalation of hatred. The only possible victory is the fruit of a struggle for justice and peace, equality and reconciliation.
Today, in this time of engulfing darkness and death, let us embrace the invitation to take the side of peace.
–October 26, 2023 Press Release from the Society of Jesus
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Carlos Aedo
Executive Director
Office of Ignatian Spirituality
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November is Jesuit Vocations Month
Fr. Arturo Sosa, SJ, Superior General of the Society of Jesus, says "building a culture of vocations must be a substantive part of the life-mission of each member of our apostolic body, not only Jesuits, but all those with whom we collaborate on mission.”
If you know a man open to discerning a life with the Jesuits, encourage them to visit beajesuit.org.
Please continue to pray for vocations to the Society.
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JESUITS USA EAST PROVINCE
Jesuit Friends and Alumni Sunday
Nov. 5, 2023
Join Jesuit-educated graduates and friends of the Society of Jesus on November 5 (the Feast of All Saints and Blessed of the Society of Jesus) for Jesuit Friends and Alumni Sunday 2023.
Click here for a list of participating locations.
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Advent Audio Reflections
Last year over 500 people signed up to pray with us during Advent by listening to our weekly audio reflections. We are excited to offer these weekly podcasts once again this coming December. Click here for more info.
These short Ignatian-inspired reflections are written by young adults and presented by Jesuit Connections. You may sign up here to receive them via email each week. Or follow our podcast feeds: Apple | Spotify | Soundcloud.
For Young Adults (20's and 30's)
Young adults are invited to join a Jesuit Connections online Advent faith sharing group. Click here for details and to register.
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JESUIT CONNECTIONS | GREATER BOSTON AREA
Sacred Pause Retreat
Dec. 2, 2023, 10:00am-4:00pm ET
As preparations begin for Christmas and resolutions loom for the New Year, take some time out of the ordinary for a sacred pause this Advent season at Eastern Point Retreat House in Gloucester, MA.
MaryAnne Davey will lead us through a day of reflection using Ignatian practices. This retreat for young adults in their 20's and 30's is co-sponsored by Eastern Point.
Click here for more information and to register.
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IGNATIAN SPIRITUAL DIRECTION INITIATIVE
Creating Space: A Contemplative Advent Evening for Spiritual Directors
Dec. 7, 2023, 7:00pm-8:30pm ET
Advent invites us to create space for the coming Christ in a season dominated by the demands of secular hospitality. Spend time with presenter Christine Marie Eberle and other spiritual directors for an online program and discover how God longs to be present to you in the Advent season.
Click here for more information and to register.
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JESUIT CONNECTIONS | ONLINE
Walking Toward a Future Full of Hope: Imagining and Living Beloved Community
Nov. 13, 7:30-9:00pm ET
What does it mean to enflesh hope in our own context? Join Becky McIntyre and JoAnn Melina Lopez for an evening of prayer, creativity and conversation. This reflection time will be inspired by Becky and JoAnn’s own hope-filled experience participating in the opening of Pope Francis’ Global Synod in Rome.
Click here for more information and to register.
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IGNATIAN SPIRITUAL DIRECTION INITIATIVE
Gathering the Givers of the Retreat in Daily Life
Jan. 12, 2024, 10:00am-1:00pm ET
Join Fr. Kevin O'Brien, SJ, for this online program that will offer givers of the Retreat in Daily Life inspirational insights on this extraordinary ministry. Participants will network and dialogue with others responding to the spiritual hunger of our times.
Click here to learn more and to register.
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MINISTERIO HISPANO IGNACIANO
Conferencia Ignaciana 2024: El Jesús de Ignacio
Feb. 7, 2024 7:00-8:00pm ET
La Conferencia Ignaciana 2024 es una oportunidad para explorar la riqueza de la Espiritualidad Ignaciana.
Tema: "El Jesús de Ignacio" con el padre Bill Noe, SJ
Presione aquí para más información.
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Couldn't find the time to join OIS's online events?
That's okay, we recorded them! Click to watch the videos now.
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JESUIT CONNECTIONS
A Spiritual Warm Up: An Experience of the Spiritual Exercises
Must-watch videos and discussions for anyone who has ever been curious and wants to learn more about The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. Watch now!
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POPE'S WORLDWIDE PRAYER NETWORK
Pope Francis' Prayer Intention for November 2023
This month, Pope Francis asks us to join him in praying for the Pope. We pray for the Holy Father; as he fulfills his mission, may he continue to accompany the flock entrusted to him, with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Click here to pray.
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Retreats Calendar
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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A Synodal Church in Mission
Synthesis Report
This past week, the Vatican released Pope Francis' Global Synod on Synodality’s Synthesis Report.
The document covers 20 topics and is the culmination of days of discussion by 365 delegates during the recent first Synod after years of input and consultation at local, national, and regional levels. It lays the foundation for the second Synod on Synodality that will take place next year in October 2024.
"Our Assembly has taken place while wars both old and new have raged in the world, with dramatic consequences that are impacting upon countless victims. The cry of those who are poor resounded among us, of those forced to migrate and of those suffering violence and the devastating consequences of climate change. We heard their cry not only through the media, but also through the voices of many present, who are personally involved in these tragic events whether through their families or their people. We have all, at all times, taken this cry into our hearts and prayers, wondering how our Churches can foster paths of reconciliation, hope, justice and peace."
Click here to read the report online or download it here.
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IGNATIAN FAMILY TEACH-IN FOR JUSTICE | IGNATIAN SOLIDARITY NETWORK
The Catholic Church and Racism: Past, Present, and a Path Forward
Last weekend, Rev. Bryan Massingale and Chris Kellerman, SJ, presented at the Ignatian Family Teach-in for Justice in Washington, DC. As Catholics, we are compelled to recognize that racism is a stain upon the Body of Christ—and if one part of the Body suffers, “all the parts suffer with it,” (1 Cor 12:26). Despite this, our Church’s history is filled with painful examples of racism in the form of slavery, segregation, and white supremacy.
What do we need to understand about the Church’s past? How is the Church responding to racism internally and in society today? Rooted in the Gospel, how might the Church move forward, and how can young people take the lead?
Click here to watch the video of their session.
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Office of Ignatian Spirituality | USA East Province of the Society of Jesus
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