Ignatian Spirituality in Fratelli Tutti
Xavier Jeyaraj. As a Jesuit and more so as the head of the Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat for the Society of Jesus, I found Fratelli Tutti (FT), to be an amazing synthesis of the social teachings of Pope Francis over the last 7 ½ years. Unlike other encyclicals that refer quite frequently to saints, previous Popes, previous encyclicals and biblical texts, this one draws references from his own various addresses, homilies, international meetings, writings, discourses and more specially from Laudato Si’ (LS). In FT, one can find myriad ideas that could help one to enter into a serious study, prayer and reflection for days and months. (more…)
Josep Miralles, A Jesuit in Tune with Life
Josep F. Mària. Josep Miralles (1944-2020) left us unexpectedly on 27 June this year. Born in February 1944 in Barcelona, into a humble family, he became a brilliant student of the Jesuits, and was accepted as a Jesuit in October 1962. Throughout his formation as a Jesuit he studied philosophy, sociology, and theology, while living in Jesuit communities in working-class neighbourhoods in Barcelona, Aranjuez, and in Paris. In this last city, he wrote his doctoral thesis on the sociology of religion.
Until the very end of his life, Josep’s work was underscored by his concern for two fundamental issues: the divide between believers and non-believers, and the divide between the rich and the poor. These issues unsettled him, but also pushed him to find nuanced and inclusive positions. His recognition of a reality that is complex, but ultimately good and unconditionally offered to all made him a Jesuit who was in tune with life. (more…)
