Dear Friends of the Jesuit Institute

We are fast approaching the end of 2023! It has been a busy year for us, but we know, too, that the Lord has blessed us with much fruit.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind you of a few upcoming events at the Jesuit Institute and also update you on the latest news from the Jesuit Institute.

2023

“A child has been born for us...” the Infancy Gospel series presented by Fr David Neuhaus SJ online at 19h00 on Tuesday 5, 12, 19 December 2023. No cost, but donations are welcome.

2024

Are you seeking a more contemplative way of praying? Karin Seethaler presents “The Jesus Prayer / The Prayer of the heart” – a method of prayer used by Fr Franz Jalics SJ – sometimes called the contemplative phase of the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius. The five-session online course will be presented on 9, 16, 23 January and 6, 13 February 2024. R1800

Do you want to learn to pray? An introductory course on prayer from an Ignatian perspective, called Hearts on Fire, will take place online on 18 and 25 January and 8, 15, 22, and 29 February 2024. R1350 includes a manual.

Do you want to learn how to accompany others on their journey with God?

If you feel called to accompany others on their spiritual journey, you might want to consider enrolling for the Jesuit Institute’s Spiritual Accompaniment Training (SAT) from January 2024 to December 2026. For more information about this course, including requirements, please email retreats@jesuitinstitute.org.za

Want to make special preparations for Lent? The Jesuit Institute will offer a silent retreat called Transitioning into Lent from 31 January to 4 February 2024.

National Elections 2024

Early in the new year, the Jesuit Institute will collaborate with several other groups, including the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, to roll out a series of reflections entitled Towards the Elections 2024. We hope that these will help local communities grapple with the issues around our national election next year. Watch this space for more details. Want to get involved? Contact us admin@jesuitinstitute.org.za

Farewell

At the end of December 2023, we say farewell to Annemarie Paulin-Campbell. Annemarie has decided that after 25 years working with the Jesuits in the area of Ignatian Spirituality, she needs a new challenge “in new ways and in a variety of contexts.”

Annemarie said, “It is time for a new season in my life’s journey and for me to be stretched. This has not been an easy or hastily made decision”.

Annemarie has made a significant contribution to the work of promoting Ignatian Spirituality in South Africa. With the support of the Society of Jesus in South Africa, she initiated the Ignatian Spirituality project in 1999, which eventually was taken under the banner of and evolved into the Jesuit Institute South Africa.

We are very grateful for all she has done and will continue to do. Although Annemarie will not be a full-time member of staff she will still be involved in some of the Institute’s training work.

We are sad to see Annemarie move on, but we also know that she is ready for a new challenge. Annemarie will continue to have an impact as she lives out her vocation to accompany others in the way of St Ignatius Loyola.

Goodbye is never easy and brings a certain heaviness, but we are also excited for you and your decision to embark on a new venture, Annemarie. We pray in gratitude for all you have done and for God’s blessing as you enter this new phase of your life’s journey!

End of year

Please note that the offices of the Jesuit Institute will be closed from 21 December 2023 for the Christmas break. Our offices reopen on 8 January 2024.

There will be no daily reflections, Daily Encounters or Weekly Bulletins from 22 December until 15 January 2024.

Gratitude and blessing

The team at the Jesuit Institute is grateful to you all for your encouragement and support over the last year. We wish you and your loved ones a very blessed Advent and joyous celebration of the incarnation. We hope that you will be able to find space to rest and relax in the coming weeks. May God bless you all.

We look forward to journeying through 2024 with you!