FR. DICK MCGARRITY, SJ PRESIDENT, THE JESUIT PARNERSHIP

As President of the Jesuit Partnership, I have frequent opportunities to meet a large number of people I otherwise would never have the privilege of getting to know and to attend some rather significant events. For example, I was pleased to attend the presentation of the 5th Annual Dignitas Humana Award at St. John’s University in Collgeville, Minnesota. St. John’s is a Benedictine University and the annual event is sponsored by one the Jesuit Partnership’s very generous benefactors.

The recipient of the award this year was the Taizé Community in France and it was accepted by Br. John on behalf of the entire community. Founded in France in 1940, Taizé is a unique religious community whose essential spirit is Catholic, but it is both ecumenical and international in character. The community currently consists of 100 monks from 25 different countries who are Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, and from other Christian traditions.

Their main purpose is to witness Christ to the world by living and praying together according to the principles of the Gospel as a sign of reconciliation among Christians. The Taizé are known for a special form of community prayer that incorporates various forms of beautiful liturgical music. The group reaches out through the internet (www.taize.fr/) and attracts large numbers of young adults, especially for spiritual retreats, to the small village of Taizé.

I mention this experience because I think it brings out the need we all have as Catholics to reach out to others. Because of our faith and our commitment to justice, we should always be willing to collaborate with those of other Christian traditions, and indeed anyone of good will, to proclaim the love of God for the whole human family.

From its beginning, members of the Society of Jesus have worked in collaboration with lay men and women to accomplish its mission. In recent years with the relative decline in the number of Jesuits, special efforts have been made to communicate Ignatian Spirituality to others through The Spiritual Exercises. Programs for faculty and administrators are rather commonplace now in all of our Jesuit universities and high schools.We also operate several retreat houses, the contact information for which is located on the Spiritual Resources page of our province website (www.jesuitswisprov.org).

This work of collaboration is in keeping with the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, which gave special emphasis to the role of the laity in the Church. It is also reflected in the special collaboration we have with our many friends and benefactors.

While we depend on our Jesuit Partners for financial support, I am regularly impressed and touched by how strongly connected many of our Partners are to the Society and the special relationships they have with many of our men, a connection that goes in both directions.

For example, more than 250 lay men and women, along with 58 Jesuits, attended our 2nd Annual Ignatian Dinner in Omaha last fall organized by our Jesuit Partnership Council there. Many of the attendees were benefactors. All were interested in the Society and our ministries. Special fall events in the form of Jesuit lectures were held in Milwaukee and in St. Paul. In all, more than 900 friends, benefactors, and Jesuits turned out for these three gatherings.

In addition to these events, many Jesuits maintain contact and friendships with large numbers of people they have met over the years. Sometimes these friendships are rekindled by e-mails through the Jesuit Partnership and other inquiries from people asking about a Jesuit they met at a high school, university or other ministry. These inquiries are always warmly received, especially by our elder Jesuits at the St.

Camillus Jesuit Community in Wauwatosa,Wisconsin. One of the elder Jesuits remains in contact with about 450 former students and writes them personally each year at Christmas. And all St. Camillus Jesuits pray regularly and offer Masses for the many special intentions brought to our attention throughout the year.

Whether it be the Taizé monks, smaller groups, or individuals, this connection in person and in prayer is especially important to all of us on a personal and universal level in these difficult times.

When world events can be as confusing as they are troublesome, our prayers and friendships help build God’s kingdom and make a difference for everyone.