July proved to be a particularly eventful month for us. After the intensity of our exams, we enjoyed a well-deserved semester break, which took us to the vibrant city of São Paulo, Brazil. Our visit included a profoundly moving experience at Esperança (“Hope”), an old age home where a staff member’s words resonated deeply with me: “We do the work for love. From love, we receive love, and we give love freely.”

Our time in São Paulo also included participation in the Brazil Jesuits Province gathering. This was a truly inspiring meeting, where Jesuits from across the region came together to share their joys, challenges, and concerns. It was one of the most inspiring meetings I’ve ever attended. A recurring theme in our discussions was the shortage of Jesuits and the lack of financial resources, which have caused significant difficulties for the province. One insightful comment from a priest struck a chord with me: “Our problem is not just the shortage of human resources; it’s that we don’t place Jesuits in the right roles. Sometimes, the leaders put the right person in the wrong place.” This observation prompted me to reflect on our current state in light of our historical legacy.

This reminds me to reflect upon the very first Jesuits, particularly St. Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Matteo Ricci, Paul Miki, and several others whose accomplished tremendous missions. I started wondering if they were provided with sufficient financial and human resources for completing their mission. The thought has stayed on my mind for more than two months. I constantly think of Saint Ignatius’s question himself: If Saint Francis and Saint Dominic could accomplish great things, why can’t I? My question, if the Jesuits of the past achieved so much, why can’t we?

Today, we have many resources, but are they sufficient to accomplish what our great predecessors did? When Jesuits communicate nowadays, it appears that we frequently focus on what we lack—whether it is human resources, financial assistance, or even leadership. We occasionally complain about how heavy or demanding our labor is, and I wonder if Saint Francis Xavier had enough resources or assistance from others when he arrived in Asia. I can’t imagine the physical and mental challenges he encountered on the journey. I remember the countless Jesuit martyrs who suffered for others, often died to ensure others could continue to live. I can’t help but feel that we’ve lost touch with our roots—our identity and charism.  We typically concentrate on what we don’t have rather than what we do, which might lead to our goals falling short of expectations.

Furthermore, there tends to be a greater emphasis on protecting our institutions, groups, and reputations. There is a tangible fear that taking risks or making mistakes may result in harm, probably due to previous events in which Jesuits were expelled or treated severely by the Church. This concern could be keeping us in our comfort zones, limiting our willingness to think differently and completely commit to our mission.

The question we face is: What kind of Jesuits are we becoming? It’s time for us to rediscover and embrace our true identity. Let us draw inspiration from our predecessors and recommit to our foundational values and mission. By focusing on our strengths and stepping out of our comfort zones, we can renew our dedication to serving others and make a meaningful impact.

Thank you for your continued commitment and support.

In Christ,

Nelson Marques, Jesuit Scholastic, Brazil