Workshop 106Pedro Arrupe and the Spiritual Exercise

Pedro Arrupe SJ (14 Nov 1907 – 5 Feb 1991) Twenty eighth Superior General (1965–83) of the Society of Jesus, founder of Jesuit Refugee Service

Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evenings, how you will spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love and it will decide everything.

Pedro Arrupe speaking to some sisters

More than ever I find myself in the hands of God. This is what I have wanted all my life from my youth.

But now there is a difference; the initiative is entirely with God.

It is indeed a profound spiritual experience to know and feel myself so totally in God's hands.

Pedro Arrupe SJ

Open eyes

• “As he sat there the eyes of his understanding were opened and though he saw no vision he understood and perceived many things.”

Ignatius Loyola

• “Grant me, O Lord, to see everything now with new eyes. … Give me the clarity of understanding that you gave Ignatius.”

Pedro Arrupe

Criteria to help Ignatian leaders decideWhere:

the need is greater or more urgentmore people will benefit (more fruit)

we have a debt of gratitudethose we serve will help othersour future could be undermined

both spiritual and material benefitswe are more equipped than others

the works will continue to bear fruit

Face the world of today …and of tomorrow…

Jesuits must be … able to face with intelligence and love the world of tomorrow…. I am…afraid that we Jesuits may have little or nothing to offer this world…that we may repeat yesterday’s answers to tomorrow’s problems

Pedro Arrupe

Benedict XVI on JRS

“Taking up one of the latest intuitions of Father Arrupe, your Society continues to engage in a meritorious way in the service of the refugees, who are often the poorest among the poor and need not only material help but also the deeper spiritual, human and psychological proximity especially proper to your service.”

For reflection

• “the inner guest of my soul”• “Amen! Alleluja”• ‘if one, rich enough in this world’s

goods, saw a brother was in need, but closed his heart to him, how could the love of God be alive in him?’” (1 John 3:17)