“Volunteerism is not just a seasonal activity; it’s a WAY of LIFE that begins now.” (Josefina Villanueva)

Josefina Villareal Villanueva, whose journey has been shaped by growing up in a family of 5 siblings, learned resilience and self-reliance being the youngest in her family. Having lived modestly in the Philippines, she embraced simplicity = finding joy in the little things. Making friends by knocking on neighbors’ doors and soliciting things she needed in school made her very […]

Meet Gavin: Bridging Worlds Through Volunteerism

“I am really impressed by how educated and travelled the people I work with. Also, the standard of English is very impressive. Everyone is very genuine and friendly and are very studied in the Catholic Religion,” shared Gavin, a dedicated volunteer contributing his expertise to the Instituto São João de Brito (ISJB) in Timor-Leste. At […]

Damian Glania: A Software Engineer’s Journey of Volunteerism and Cultural Immersion

Damian Glania, a 58-year-old software engineer from Munich, Germany, has devoted more than 14 years to volunteer work with the Jesuits in different communities. Additionally, for nearly 20 years, he has broken away from his routine work with machines and logic to volunteer at a social service center at the Munich train station called “Bahnhofsmission” on […]

Strengthening the Jesuit Mission

New Development Officers (DO) from various Jesuit missions in Asia and the Pacific convened in the beautiful city of Cebu, Philippines last April 10-14, 2024 for a transformative and fruitful gathering. It was meticulously planned with the purpose of cultivating enriching dialogues, encouraging ongoing learning, and fostering strong sense of unity among all DO’s. The […]

Volunteerism that leads to self-discovery and cultural exchange- Killian

Meet Killian, a passionate volunteer from France, who has spent over a year in Timor-Leste. With a background in engineering, he pursued studies for five years before deciding to enter the seminary almost five years ago. Seeking further experiences, he ventured into volunteering in a distant country, away from his family and comfort zone. After […]

Anemy’s Inspiring Journey

Greetings from Casa Produção Audiovizual (CPA)! In this edition, we shine the spotlight on Anemy, a dedicated volunteer from Switzerland, whose journey with CPA has been nothing short of inspiring. Anemy’s extensive journalism background, spanning two decades and including a significant stint in Vietnam, has equipped her with a deep passion for amplifying the voices […]

INTIMIOR INTIMO MIO – NEARER TO ME THAN I AM TO MYSELF (Sch. João FJ Barreto, SJ)

A Reflection on the Holy Week Apostolate in Philippine Jesuit Prison Service (PJPS) During my leisure time, I enjoyed reading a book entitled “The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything” by James Martin, SJ.  I’ve read this before during my candidate’s program and novitiate, yet it felt much more alive in me this time. One phrase […]

Sch. Nelson Marques, SJ: Embracing the Sacred Journey of Holy Week

Holy Week in Brazil is a time that resonates deeply within me, stirring my soul with its profound spiritual significance. It’s not just a series of days on the calendar but a journey- a journey of introspection, devotion and renewal that calls upon believers to delve into the very depths of their faith. I vividly […]