Life as a scholastic is mainly about being “Sent to Study” to help grow the kingdom of God and to be ready to act where needed. At Loyola House of Studies (LHS) in the Philippines, our formation starts with activities that build relationships among the scholastics and with the formators. These activities create a strong sense of community and connection, setting a positive atmosphere for our journey in formation.
Before starting the school and formation year 2024-2025, the First Study (FS) subcommunity here at LHS went for our community- building villa in Mabalacat City from August 4-6. The aim was to welcome the school and formation year and to foster bonds and connections within the diverse cultures and personalities among the scholastics as some of us are new members of the community.
During the villa, the new juniors were expected to perform “FS IDOL.” Each of us juniors were asked to perform whatever skills we had. I took that opportunity to share my guitar skills, rooted in my identity as Timorese. What inspired me during “The Villa and FS Idol” was that, for a while, we tended to set aside our preoccupation with studying and working. Instead, we turned our attention to the person in front of us. This experience echoes what Pope Francis said in his letter on the role of literature in formation: “We must never forget how dangerous it is to stop listening to the voices of other people; we might fall into self-isolation and enter a kind of ‘spiritual deafness.'” By enriching the virtue of listening to others, “we become a thousand men and yet remain ourselves.” It emphasizes the significance of listening to others. The experience during the villa taught me that when we listen, we truly demonstrate a willingness to understand and sympathize with others. We show others that we are truly listening to them, not just hearing them.
The Juniorate program started on August 7, and I happily welcomed this next step of my formation. I felt a bit overwhelmed when we were first shown the outline/syllabus, but as time went on, I could truly feel how much I enjoyed the classes, especially “Art Appreciation” and “Art and the Jesuits.” This feeling grew stronger as we were invited to attend the exhibition at Arete, the Ateneo Art Gallery. I felt completely delighted as if I had entered another planet- the beautiful world of art. My whole being seemed to absorb the real harmony and my worldview widely opened where I began to see the truth beyond the reality.
On August 24, 2024, the Jesuits here in the Philippines organized SBC with the theme ‘Sent to Collaborate,‘ with a sportsfest as part of our annual activities for the school year. We are all reminded of the spirit of the recent message from “De Statu Societatis,” which emphasizes that we are being sent to collaborate in reconciling all things in Christ.
Reflecting on my experiences, from the community-building villa, and the start of the Juniorate program, to the SBC activities, I see how these moments have influenced my growth as a Jesuit.
The focus on working together and really listening to each other is important, reminding me of our mission to bring all things together in Christ. As we begin the school year, I take with me the lessons learned from our time together and the beauty of art, feeling ready for this new chapter in my life. Together, we are not just individuals on a journey, but a united community dedicated to growth, understanding, and service.
By: Sch. Zequel Noronha