The Loyola College Campus of Vijayawada wore a colourful look as it welcomed the Jesuit Pastors of South Asia from 28-30 September, 2017. Organizing a conference with over 130 delegates coming from different places and differing schedules is no small matter. A handy lesson in Hospitality and Event Management was the first one learnt.

The opening ceremony consisted of a traditional Andhra welcome dance, which was a stunning fusion of art by students of four different schools.
With ‘Salus populi suprema lex’ (the well-being of the people is the highest law), Fr. Amalraj SJ, the Provincial of Andhra set the tone for the Seminar in the opening Eucharist.

Day 1 was earmarked for Lay Associations: 3 groups, namely Couples for Christ, Charismatics and Saint Vincent de Paul addressed us. The strong commitment to serve displayed by them was very impressive given the fact that they are working professionals in the secular world with families of their own. The Group was also taken up with their strong devotion to the Word of God. In spite of a few fundamentalist overtones, one could not deny the fact that their love for Jesus and his message is the driving force of their mission.

On the second day we were honoured to have Bishop Joseph of Vijayawada, an ex-student of both Loyola and Gregorian colleges. The gentle Bishop urged the Pastors to first desire “to do the will of God”.

Day 2 was slated for the Jesuits. There were inputs on Ecological Initiatives and Ignatian Spirituality, Religious Fundamentalism and SCCs. No more was this something out there which we had to touch upon only every once in a while, it has now become an integral part of our daily lives. Liturgies have to include these elements. Life-styles have to change and our cultic practices of reconciliation have to become more humane and inclusive. The sessions were soul-stirring and made us sit up and think about how we should combat the challenges before us.

The need of the hour is creativity from the Pastors together with intellectual and spiritual infusion from our theologians and spiritualists.
Food for thought was perfectly paired with food for the body during the wonderful dinner hosted by Loyola School, Guntur and the camaraderie among fellow Jesuits made the day even more delightful and memorable.

Back to the Future: If Lay Participation is the way forward for the Church, then the CLC movement is a good example for the clergy to work in tandem with the laity. POSA with the insightfulness of a theologian, urged us not to be overly gullible, but in true Ignatian Spirit try to discern truly what is the Will of God for us and move forward courageously.

The seminar concluded not with definite directives, but with challenges, which we pastors have to meet. We have to re-look the role of the laity within our parish structures. Is the parish in its current form relevant today? How do we tackle growing religious fundamentalism in our own parish? Is the traditional way of conducting the Spiritual Exercises meaningful today? Are we moving from Christian Communities to Human Communities? In Pope Francis we have a Jesuit Leader who is taking these challenges head on. May we too imbibe this spirit, touching the lives of our people who need us the most.

• Vincent Vaz, SJ

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