The Historical Institute is fine-tuning its preparations for a symposium on the Spiritual Exercises in the African context. The symposium is to be held from July 6 to 10 at the Jesuit Spirituality Centre in Mwangaza, Nairobi (Kenya). The first of its kind, this initiative organized by the Institute in collaboration with the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar (JCAM) will bring together, by invitation, Jesuits and collaborators from all African provinces and the Region of Rwanda-Burundi, as well as experts from Europe, all of whom are familiar with the practice of the Spiritual Exercises. The aim is to examine the relevance of the Spiritual Exercises and their potential on African soil. Guests are chosen for their experience in formation, retreat centers, the Exercises in everyday life, their scholarship, and so on. Their respective ministries reach diverse African audiences and social classes. In a continent where the number of Catholics continues to grow, is this powerful instrument capable of serving to transform our societies, churches and religious communities in the light of the major challenges they face? To be continued!
The month of September also saw two important meetings organized by the Historical Institute. Nairobi’s Christian librarians once again gathered for a training session, while those in charge of Jesuit archives in Africa and Madagascar held their annual online meeting. The team of Jesuit participants has changed considerably, compared to the one that met in Nairobi in 2020. And yet, the same interest, passion and dedication were evident in the presentation given by Fr. Guy Savi, SJ, Socius of the West Africa Province, and in the discussions that followed. Our gratitude to all the participants, to JCAM, represented by the socius, John the Baptist Zamcho Anyeh, to all the socii present, and to Madame Barbara Baudry, archivist from French-speaking Western Europe, whose expertise was much appreciated. We can’t conclude this list of thanks without a special mention to Raúl González, SJ, and his team at ARSI in Rome, whose contributions were all encouraging.
May the Lord continue to bless our efforts!
In Christo domino,
Jean Luc Enyegue, SJ
Director, JHIA
