GC 36 encourages us to be more discerning in our life and mission, and to find new ways of collaborating and networking. That is the reason why I contacted some of the Provincials of the Jesuit Conference of South Asia and more recently visited Madurai Province, Kohima Region and Ranchi Province, from 11 to 24, May.

Actually, this is my second visit to India. In 2007,

I had visited 8 cities within 2 weeks. Essentially, when

I arrived in one city, I would give talks on our China Mission and then move to another city. This time it was different. I spent more time interacting with Jesuits and lay collaborators with the aim of sharing our stories. And I will continue to make efforts to establish close links with some of you.

For example, our Education Commission convener, Fr. Stephen Chow and I are planning to organize learning programmes and immersion programmes in India for our young Jesuits and laity. We are also considering exchange programmes for senior high school students on both sides. Hopefully these interactions will enhance our mutual understanding of our future common mission.

Indeed, the context of the Chinese Province is different from that of the Provinces/Regions of India. I experienced various challenges of the Jesuit mission during my short stay in India. Although the forms of the challenges look different from those in the Chinese Province, all these challenges, no matter whether they are in India or China, lead us to reflect on the same question: How can we as Jesuits respond to the call of God in order to faithfully and generously live out our Jesuit life and mission?

I had the honour of interacting with around 800 Jesuits on various occasions and events during my recent visit. It is very easy to observe the following advantages and virtues in many of you: your willingness to go to the frontier according to our charism and mission; your readiness to respond to the local needs; your courage to reflect on the current reality which might hinder our Jesuit friendship in the Lord and our apostolic effectiveness. In short, I have been happy to see many good, faithful and practical Jesuits in the Conference of South Asia.

On the other hand, my dear brothers, since many of you are actively involved, I also feel prompted and encouraged to share one thing that might be constructively helpful to you in this vast land: Institutions could sometimes turn into comfort zones. It has already somehow happened in the Chinese Province. Our service in the institution could become a matter of day-to-day routine work or the realization of personal ambition, gradually resulting in the loss of the spirit of MAGIS.

With my limited experience, I have been encouraging the brothers in my province to make two efforts to avoid entering the comfort zone:

1. We shall intentionally and regularly spend quality time away from our work so as to keep a healthy distance between our work and our life.

2. We shall faithfully make good use of our Ignatian tradition in order to renew our Jesuit life and mission, which will lead us to encounter our Jesuit brothers and lay collaborators in a more personal way.

For those of you who are willing to consider being missioned abroad, I am convinced that our brothers in the Chinese Province will cordially welcome you. At the same time, you will do well to consider the following points when you discern this important matter with your superiors: your health, your determination, your attitude to learning – not just learning the Chinese language, but also Chinese culture — and your degree of openness. It is because living and studying/working in a different context is quite demanding and challenging.

My dear brothers in the Conference of South Asia, my trip to India and travel within the country has brought me much consolation indeed. Not only do I see how you are dedicating your lives to the mission, but also how your edifying example and warm welcome made me feel honoured to be your brother in the same Society. May the Lord help us to implement the spirit of GC 36: discernment, collaboration and networking.

• John Lee, SJ | The author is currently the Provincial of the Chinese Jesuit Province