CELEBRATING THE JUBILEES ON THE MISSIONS
Tony Montfort, the former Director of the Jesuit Missions Office,
reflects on the Missions of the British Province.
Just as the British Province in the UK is celebrating this special year of Jesuit Anniversaries, the Missions are too. Following in the footsteps of St Francis Xavier, the Jesuits in Guyana, South Africa and Zimbabwe are making this a very special year.
The Jesuits are continuing their vocation of bringing the Good News to the people of these countries. For over 100 years Jesuits from Britain have gone out and left their families and friends in order to plant the Christian message in thousands of people. Their work has seen the development of Vocations, Education and Evangelisation in the same way as their predecessors. In the past, the British Province had more missionaries pro rata than any other Province. in the world.
Guyana has had a difficult period in the past 40 years. It has been a difficult time for the Jesuits - some have even been murdered. But their Faith has shone through and the work today continues through the great support of their relatives, friends and benefactors back home.
South Africa has also had its problems, especially during the Apartheid Years. In spite of this, many local vocations have been produced. The Church is strong in South Africa; we must continue to pray for them all.
Zimbabwe has been another difficult country and today suffers from economic madness. However, the Church thrives and vocations are promising. The Church has suffered greatly in this beautiful country. Jesuits have been murdered in defence of the faith. St Francis Xavier, the patron of the Missions would be proud of them. It is good to look back this year on the anniversaries of these Jesuits who brought the Faith to so many.
Throughout other countries of the world, British Jesuits have gone on to plant the Faith, spurred on by the example of these early Jesuits who took the Good News to so many.
Let us pray that this work continues. Great work has been done and will go on, as we remember the pioneering work of St Francis Xavier, the patron of the Missions and his early companions.
Just as the British Province in the UK is celebrating this special year of Jesuit Anniversaries, the Missions are too. Following in the footsteps of St Francis Xavier, the Jesuits in Guyana, South Africa and Zimbabwe are making this a very special year.
The Jesuits are continuing their vocation of bringing the Good News to the people of these countries. For over 100 years Jesuits from Britain have gone out and left their families and friends in order to plant the Christian message in thousands of people. Their work has seen the development of Vocations, Education and Evangelisation in the same way as their predecessors. In the past, the British Province had more missionaries pro rata than any other Province. in the world.
Guyana has had a difficult period in the past 40 years. It has been a difficult time for the Jesuits - some have even been murdered. But their Faith has shone through and the work today continues through the great support of their relatives, friends and benefactors back home.
South Africa has also had its problems, especially during the Apartheid Years. In spite of this, many local vocations have been produced. The Church is strong in South Africa; we must continue to pray for them all.
Zimbabwe has been another difficult country and today suffers from economic madness. However, the Church thrives and vocations are promising. The Church has suffered greatly in this beautiful country. Jesuits have been murdered in defence of the faith. St Francis Xavier, the patron of the Missions would be proud of them. It is good to look back this year on the anniversaries of these Jesuits who brought the Faith to so many.
Throughout other countries of the world, British Jesuits have gone on to plant the Faith, spurred on by the example of these early Jesuits who took the Good News to so many.
Let us pray that this work continues. Great work has been done and will go on, as we remember the pioneering work of St Francis Xavier, the patron of the Missions and his early companions.