As a young Jesuit who just started laboring in God’s Vineyard, I have always looked up to a brother, a father, and a companion who had spent their whole life laboring in God’s Mission fully before me. One of the thousands that I admire are Jesuit Missionaries who had been a special witness of self-abnegation and holy obedience in the Society of Jesus For the Greater Glory of God. They also played an important role in my journey as a young Jesuit, since my first contact with a Jesuit in high school till the present date.  Yet, one essential element that attracted me back then, even now, was the friendship, the sense of brotherhood and companionship that the Universal Society of Jesus shared. This Companionship never changes, it only grows deeper as I experience it now as a Jesuit. The charism of Universality became more real as we welcomed Father Franz Magnis-Suseno, SJ in our community weeks ago. He is a Jesuit Missionary from Germany who missioned to Indonesia since 1961.

On a personal level, my knowledge of him was not deep enough but there is one thing sure for me, is that, he is one of the most famous philosophers and writers whose works have been recognized worldwide. That’s why, meeting a Jesuit admired by many in the world, was a pressure for me because of the gap in intellectual capacities and contributions in the Missio Dei. Though pressured by these thoughts, my meeting him in reality was a wonderful experience. Those titles of the world perished when we met and conversed with each other as a companion and a brother of the Lord and of each other. Listening to him as he shared about Joys and challenges in his mission gave me a lot of insights into the Jesuit Charism, Universal Apostolic. A charism that knows no border/frontiers in spreading the word of God. He testified it with tones of humility and simplicity in his daily living and every sharing. I can see and even sense, how this man of God testified the Lord amidst this chaotic world. It motivated me in every simplicity that he showed through his way of sharing his thoughts and experiences, which he faced many ups and downs in bringing the Kingdom of God. This sharing also reminisced the main reason for our very existence as Jesuits, who were first gathered together because of the entrusted mission God had given.

It is always the older that are wiser in living and evangelizing God’s word. That is why meeting an older Jesuit has always been a special grace for me, because through them I began to be more aware of the real presence of God who is always in our midst. In God’s mission, we were never left alone because we are His brothers and companions.

By: Sch. Novario Francisco Guterres Martins, SJ