St Ignatius' gift of the Spiritual Exercises transformed many people's lives; and they continue to do so. Reflecting on our place in God's plan for creation unlocks in many people the need to express their faith in action. It inspired hundreds of young men to enter the Jesuit noviciate, so that they could take their place "under the banner of cross" (from the Formula of the Institute, 1540), to labour in the Lord's vineyard.
Ignatius was also aware that many people were similarly moved to be generous with their lives, and wished to collaborate with the enterprise he had begun, but were just not in a position to become Jesuits themselves. Resisting the logical solution to institute a "third order" for lay people to live out their lives with an organic connection to the Society of Jesus, he invited them instead to use their material resources to help build up the institutions founded by the Jesuits all over the world. He realised the vital role played by benefactors and was determined that they share too in the work of the Society.
By the time Ignatius died in 1556, not only were there more than 1,000 Jesuits worldwide, but the Society had also founded numerous universities, colleges, missions and churches. Ignatius laid down rules about how our benefactors should be treated as "partners in mission", sharing in the spiritual benefits of the Jesuits' work.
Times change, and the Society has to adapt to new circumstances. It cannot be denied that vocations have fallen in Europe and North America; nonetheless, there are real areas of growth in Asia, Africa and South America. One of my privileges as Mission Director is to have first hand experience of these new centres of energy in the Society of Jesus. And it is part of my job to facilitate those who are not free to be Jesuits themselves but who want to contribute to this new growth, to become partners in mission.
Readers of Jesuits and Friends are always very generous in supporting individual Jesuits and Jesuit projects around the world, in expressing their faith in action. I hope that through these pages, you will recognise the importance of the work you are sponsoring and that you are an integral part of the work of the Society as we confront today's frontiers.
Have a blessed Advent, and enjoy Christmas when it eventually comes.
Fr Tim Curtis SJ
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