A Jesuit Jig

By Dom Bautista Vancouver Jesuit Alumni Group

Mother Cabrini’s special parking passes.

Mother Cabrini tickets

There he was …. in the hot July 31 evening with not a care in the world but just being happy. The image of Guillermo Gregorio (GG) Francisco standing at the entrance to St. Marks will forever be etched indelibly in my mind. Resplendent in his barong tagalog (the Philippine dress worn on special occasions), smiling as he always does, and handing out tickets for all so that we could find a parking spot. It was an act of sublime intercession by Mother Cabrini, the patron saint of parking lots. It turns out Mother Cabrini told him that because I spilled his secret to the JAG, there were far too many requests for parking spots that he should go early. That Fr Rob Allore, SJ would gift GG with a stack of tickets (biglietti) to hand out was the second gift from Mother Cabrini to him!

Fr Rob Allore SJ celebrates St Ignatius Feast Day to a full house at St Mark’s church on July 31, 2014.

Doing the jig

On St Ignatius Day, July 31, 2014, members of the Vancouver Ignatian family –  comprised of the Jesuit Spirituality Apostolate of Vancouver, the Jesuit Alumni Group, the three Christian Life Community groups (Lighthouse, St Augustine, St Mark’s) and the Society of Evangelical Life of the Heart of Jesus –  met for a Mass presided over by Father Rob Allore, SJ.  Following the Mass,  several members of this group spoke.  Here are the remarks made by Dom Bautista of the Jesuit Alumni Group.

Have you ever seen a priest do a jig? Right before starting mass? Well, that is exactly what Fr Rob did. That it was to be his third mass for the day, did not diminish his exuberance and glow in his face; perhaps it was because of the well over a hundred people that day. That he managed to craft a beautiful homily, using a God-less story from the CBC to illustrate how one can find God in the most unusual places was very touching. So Ignatian!

My 20,000 Words

I want to thank Fr Rob for welcoming us for a second year. The preparation of this event was made possible by the help of St Mark’s Parish and the members of the Ignatian family comprised of the Jesuit Spirituality Apostolate of Vancouver, the three Christian Life Community groups (Lighthouse, St Augustine, St Mark’s) and the Society of Evangelical Life of the Heart of Jesus.

Having just listened to Catherine Kelly, it is quite obvious that JSAV have picked the best to represent them. Our Jesuit Alumni Group however, decided to take a different approach, for they saw it fit to ask the least qualified member to speak on their behalf today …. me. Because I made the mistake of not being in the room when they made these assignments.

What began in a year and a half ago as an invitation from Fr Robert Wong, led to a meeting with Provincial Superior of the Jesuits in English Canada Fr Peter Bisson one winter’s night. He suggested that the Jesuit alumni might consider meeting once a year. Under the leadership of Eric Ching, we have been meeting monthly from the start. He has since retired from leading the group and acts as an elder.

As we seek to discern Christ’s voice in our daily lives, our spiritual exercises have been focused and reflective, punctuated by laughter. Our lives have been enriched as we have rediscovered ways to move towards consolation, such that we are able to pay closer attention to His subtle voice, to appreciate grace and to accept faith as a gift and most importantly, as a choice.

Through our fellowship, we share our worries, our doubts, and shortcomings with one another. Our connections extend beyond the Saturday morning meetings, I know many an evening when I have written them to ask for prayers. And they have been generous.

It is also through our fellowship that we have deepened our appreciation of the saints in our daily lives. We know of St Anthony the patron saint of all things lost from keys, to files and for me …. my memory. Last night, Ken had to ask St Anthony to remind me of the small outreach project that we did in St. Teresa’s Parish, in the village of Tang Qui, Hebei China.

We have been blessed with two spiritual directors. Fr Elton Fernandes, SJ who is now in Melbourne, and Fr Richard Soo, SJ. Our journey with Fr Richard has taken us to a new level. You see, aside from being a Jesuit, he is also a Byzantine priest. So our education has been enriched with our introduction to Eastern rites.

This year the alumni have began blogging – a modest project that allows us to share our reflections in English, Chinese, French and Tagalog. It is very fitting that our first entry was about the lighting of the chrism of the Jesuit society and to share our Ignatian values. My friends, as I look at all of you in this room, your presence here today, tells me that our prayers have been answered. Thank you for being here to celebrate with us.

Apart from facilitating today’s feast, the JAG also hosts a retreat for you, the Ignatian community. This years’ retreat takes place on September 6 at the Eastern Catholic Church in Richmond. Fr Richard will be our retreat master. At this time, I would like to ask this year’s three heads: Ignatius Lee, David Tong and Georges Gracieuse to stand. If any of you are interested in our monthly get togethers or about the upcoming retreat, please see them.

As Georges Gracieuse speaks, Dom Bautista (left) and Catherine Kelly (right) and a member of the Christian Life Community look on.

At the conclusion of todays’ celebration, there will be some snacks and refreshments. Thank you Janice and Christine for helping us prepare a sumptuous meal. Thank you Kevin for leading us in the music. And for making us sound like angels.

Finally, if any of you would like to join us in a different kind spiritual exercise, please see GG, as we are heading a pub on campus later this evening.

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!

JAG blogs can be read in English, Chinese, and French at: jagvancouver.wordpress.com

修女給予之停車証

在七月卅一日一個炎熱的黃昏、他……..一片喜悦、對世事全無牽掛的站在那裡。

這人就是Guillermo Gregorio (GG) Francisco。他站在 St. Mark’s 教堂入口處那影像深深的刻劃在我腦海𥚃：他、穿上繡花的菲律賓禮服、容光煥發、帶着慣常的笑容、迎接每個到步的人、向他們派發停車証。

這景象一定是停車場主保聖人 Mother Cabrini 代禱的崇高傑作：我把 GG 趣味性的秘密告訴了 JAG、所以今天聚會引來很多參與者。因為人多、Mother Cabrini 便着 GG 早些到場以免他找不着車位。Mother Cabrini  更假耶稣會神父 Fr. Rob Allore SJ 的手送了大量停車証給 GG , 好待他發放給各參與者。

土風舞表演

你有見過神父表演土風舞嗎、而且是在舉行彌撒之前？ Fr. Rob 便做到了！那天 Fr Rob 已是第三次舉行彌撒了、但他仍是精神飽滿光釆依然的；這可能是那超過一百參與的信眾給予他的鼓舞。Fr. Rob 說了一篇很感人的道理；他借用了一個 CBC 沒有提及天主的故事來告訴我們怎樣在一些非尋常的角落裡也能找到上主。  這確實是一個耶穌會聖依納爵的傳道方法！

彌撒禮成後、Fr. Rob 更讓我們幾個團體的代表發言。

我的二萬字….

多 謝 Fr. Rob 今次第二年再歡迎我們。是次活動之能夠成功舉辦、要多謝 St. Mark’s 堂區和聖依納爵家庭各成員、包括  Jesuit Spirituality Apostolate of Vancouver, the three Christian Life Community groups (Lighthouse, St Augustine, St Marks) 和 Society of Evangelical Life of the Heart of Jesus.

剛才聽了 Catherine Kelly 的發言、就知道 JSAV 派了一位出色的代表。反之我們的耶穌會舊生會卻採取別一方案、派了一位資格最底微的人作為發言人。因為那天選代表的時候我不在場、它們就選了我！

一 年半前、藉 Fr. Robert Wong 黃神父的邀請、在一個冬天晚上我們得以與 Jesuit in English Canada 省長 Fr. Peter Bisson 會面。Fr.  Bisson 建議我們的耶穌會舊生會毎年聚會一次。但在 Eric Ching 莊怡立先生的領導下、我們一開始就每月聚會一次。如今 Eric 已退出領導層作為舊生會的元老。

在日常生活中、要辨識基督的指引、我們的靈修要集中、要時常反思、更要放寬、要帶歡笑。當我們重新找到安慰、我們的生活更添豐采。除之、我們更能留意上主的啓示、更感恩、更覺信徳不只是禮物、亦是一個選擇。

在各友誼聚會中、我們分享我們的憂累、我們的疑問、我們的缺點。我們的聯繫不只限於每星期六早上的聚會。有多個晚上我曾要求大家為我的需要祈禱時、他們亦慷慨幫忙。

我們亦在聯誼中對於我們日常生活裡的聖人加深了認識。如眾所知：聖安東尼是失物的主保聖人。他不知幫過我多少次….我失去的鑰匙、公文件、甚至我的記憶！看！昨晚 楊思傑先生又勞煩聖安東尼提醒我們在中國河北省宁晋縣唐邱天主堂所做之外展傳道項目。

我們對有兩位神父作為我們的神師感到榮幸：這兩位神師就是 Fr Elton Fernandes SJ 和 Fr Richard Soo SJ。 Fr Elton 現去了澳洲墨爾本。Fr Richard 因為除了是耶穌會會士，亦是拜占庭基督宗教神父、他令我們認識到傳統東方的教會儀式、加深了我們的知識。

今年我們的耶穌會舊生會開始用微博討論、一個雛形的項目：用英、中、法和菲律賓四種語文來分享我們的思維。第一步論題最貼切不過的便是如何點亮耶穌會的聖油和分享聖依納爵的理念。當我見到你們的熱誠參與、我便知上主已聽到和回應我們的祈求。多謝各位。

除了今日的曕禮、JAG 更為整個聖依納爵團體舉辦靈修避靜活動。今年的避靜日在 九月六日在Richmond 之Eastern Catholic Church 舉行、由 Fr Richard 引領。現在、我請我會的三個主持人站起來讓各位認識：Ignatius Lee 李偉國先生, David Tong, George Gracieuse。各位有興趣參加我們的月會或避靜、請與仼何一位主持人聯絡。

今日散會前、我們有少許茶點招待大家。在此多謝 Janice, Christine 替我們預備這豐富的美食。亦多謝 Kevin 為我們作音樂領導。令我們的聲韻好比天使的美妙！

如各位有什麼其他神修活動提議、請告之 GG。

愈顯主榮

各教友可上 jagvancouver.wordpress.com 瀏覽 JAG 英、法、中、菲律賓文「博客」。

On humanness … a short prayer

On humanness … a short prayer

By Dom Bautista Vancouver Jesuit Alumni Group

As humans we carry the burden of the knowledge that we cannot remain forever. And each day, we are reminded of our humanness.

But this is what makes His Grace so precious.

So while we are here, we should be not afraid to take on the Chief in Squamish and climb it one baby step at a time just like what GG Francisco did last Sunday.

And when we reach the summit, to breathe. Deeply.

And to say a prayer or two.

And in the hush of the oh so gentle wind as it brushes onto our cheeks, warmed by the sun, to listen to His subtle voice.

So that we will have the energy and patience to care for our loved ones who are ill. And for us to have the good sense to care for ourselves.

Amen.

作為一個人 … 一篇短短的禱文

作為世人、我們明白不可長生。每日種種世事會提醒我們生命是脆弱的。

就是如此我們更覺上主恩典之珍貴。

當我們在世上、我們應向 Squamish 的首長學習：每次小步小步的前進、直至到達顛峯時才深呼吸。猶如上星期日 GG Francisco 所做的一様。

還有……要誠心念經。在那柔暖的風擦面之際聆聽上主奧妙的啓示。

祈求上主赐予我們有足夠精力和耐性去照顧有病的親人、有充分的智慧去料理自己
耐性去照顧有病的親人、有充分的智慧去料理自己。

JAG blogs can be read in English, Chinese, and French at: jagvancouver.wordpress.com

Faith and Culture

Faith & Culture

My name is Georges Gracieuse. I’m from Mauritius and have settled in Vancouver, Canada, with my wife Sharmila and my daughter Samantha since January 2008.

During the last Jesuit Alumni of BC’s workshop on Saturday March 15, 2014 facilitated by Fr Richard Soo SJ, we reflected on the following questions on faith and culture:

1. How has your culture been a support to your faith?
2. How has your culture hindered you on your faith journey?
3. How has the Church been a support to your faith?
4. How has the Church hindered your faith journey?

The following is what I shared during that meeting.

I am a Creole of African descent. My ancestors came to Mauritius as slaves to the French settlers in the early 18^th century, either from Mozambique, Madagascar or Senegal. They worked on large sugar cane plantations and sugar mill belonging to those settlers. Slaves of the same tribe were scattered over different plantations on the island to prevent communication and revolt. Slaves on a particular plantation had to imitate their master’s language, i.e. French, to communicate, thus developing a patois language called Creole.

The Church was under the control of the settlers. The clergy and the liturgical language were French. All the slaves were Catholics because they were baptized and given a Christian name as soon as they landed.

The Creole community has suffered from an identity crisis because as slaves they were cut off from their roots: their tradition and culture. They identified themselves with the Church because they were Catholics. Even in the Church they felt alienated because they had no power and the liturgy didn’t accommodate their way of praying. Whereas the Western way of worship was quite cerebral, the African way of worship was more emotional and a greater place was given to bodily expressions. I realized this difference on hindsight when I went to India in 1979 and joined the Society of Jesus. In India, religious practices were less discursive and more contemplative; they embraced the whole person – body and soul. For instance, yoga teaches the individual to develop an appropriate posture, to be aware of one’s breathing, to become still, in harmony, to unite oneself with God. Religion aimed at developing a personal relationship with God: it wasn’t based on how to understand the divine mystery, but on how to allow oneself to enter in communion and become one with the divine mystery. I found the Indian culture quite holistic and conducive to my spiritual growth.

In September 1981 I went to France to study philosophy and theology at Centre Sevres, the Jesuit faculty, in Paris. I thought that living in France would be easy because I was quite familiar with the French language, history and literature. But I soon discovered to my dismay how wrong I was. France was a secular country and very anti-clerical, with a strict separation between the state and religion. The French culture at that time was quite hostile to religion. At Church, the traditional way of praying like saying the rosary was considered outdated. The practice of religion, just like in Mauritius, was more cerebral and discursive. I couldn’t feel the warmth of religion and I started to lose my foothold. The culture was aggressive and I slowly lost my identity as a Christian, a religious. I felt that sense of the sacred was lost. I was swept away and had to request my Superiors to allow me to go back to India to recover from that cultural shock.

When I joined the Society of Jesus in 1979, it was after an experience of conversion and I had the desire to strive to lead a life of holiness. At that time, it was commonly accepted fact that consecrated life (priests, monks, nuns etc) was the main path to holiness. So I decided to become a priest. I chose to become a Jesuit because I was attracted to St Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus. I admired him because in my European history class, I discovered that he was someone who had a deep impact on the Church during the time of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation in the 16^th Century. Celibacy was part of the package of religious life and I accepted it. But later I realized that living a celibate life was a challenge to me and I finally decided to leave the religious life.

When I left the Society of Jesus in 1986, I suddenly found myself alone without a structure to support me on my spiritual journey. I no longer had an orientation, a purpose to cling to. That year, I went back to France to continue my studies and I decided to embrace its secular culture. I wanted to live a life free from religious constraints. Slowly I drifted away. I no longer had a taste for prayer, to go to Mass and to be involved in Church activities. I wandered aimlessly for years, experiencing emptiness, restlessness, fear and anxiety.

It was about August 2002 when I started to come back home to the Church. In 2005, I joined the Society of Evangelical Life of the Heart of Jesus, an association of lay people who follow the Ignatian spirituality. I was attracted to this group for different reasons. Firstly, I now had a spiritual family to support me on my journey. Secondly, the Ignatian spirituality had remained my core spirituality even though I was no longer a Jesuit. Thirdly, in this group all were welcome: male or female, married, separated, divorced, single or widowed, priest, deacon or lay person. I felt that God was giving me a second chance to consecrate myself entirely to him. I found a unity within myself and a renewed purpose in life.

On August 15, 2012, I took the temporary Vows of Prayer, Fraternity, Chastity and Poverty. Pierre-Jean Stygelbout SVE, General Assistant came over from Belgium to receive my vows and to launch the Society officially in Canada. Today the Vancouver group has five members.

When I look at my spiritual journey, I’m grateful to Jesus for always taking the initiative to draw me deeper into his friendship, especially whenever I resisted him. I’ve learnt in the course of time to surrender to him. I no longer ask him to help me achieve what I’ve already decided to do; but before I take a decision I ask him to help me discern what would bring great praise and service to him. With this attitude, I experience a deeper peace and inner freedom.

JAG blogs can be read in English, Chinese, and French at: jagvancouver.wordpress.com

 

文化背景與信仰

我是 Georges Gracieuse，來自毛里裘斯 Mauritius。   2008 年一月、我和妻子 Sharmila, 女兒 Samantha 舉家從毛里裘斯移居到温哥華。

耶穌會舊生在 2014 年三月十五日舉辦了一個工作會議。在耶穌會德神父 (Father Richard Soo, SJ) 引領之下、我們反思了以下一列信仰與文化背景的問題﹕

1. 你的文化背景／培育如何扶助你的信仰？
2. 在你信仰過程裡、你的文化背景有否成了絆腳石？
3. 你的教會如何扶助你的信仰？
4. 在你信仰過程裡、你的教會有否成了絆腳石？

在會上我發表了以下意見。在此我願與大家分享。

我是非洲後裔 Creole 族人。在十八世紀初、我的祖先從莫桑比克、馬達加斯加和塞內加爾 (Mozambique, Madagascar, Senegal) 移居到毛里裘斯。身為法國人之奴隸、我的祖先要在甘蔗大型種植場和磨坊工作。為了防止這些奴隸互相溝通以至叛亂、法國人把他們分散到毛里裘斯島上各處不同之植場工作。每一植場之奴隸要學習及運用他們主人之語言（法文）來溝通。因此造成了Creole 這方言。

那時教會是由這羣法裔人仕控管。神父是法國人、禮儀用語是法文。所有奴隸一到步便會領洗成為天主教徒和有一個聖名。

由於與自己的傳统和文化被連根拔起、Creole 族人失了自己的身份。

因為他們是天主教徒、他們感到是教會一份子。可是由於教會之禮儀與他們禱告之方式不同、加上他們在教會沒有權勢、他們覺得教會疏遠他們。

那時我不理解西方人和非洲人的朝拜方式不同﹕西方人着重理性、沒有我們那樣情緒化用身體語言和動作來禱告。直到 1979 年我在印度加入耶穌會才領悟到多思少說的方式﹕它是融滙身和心的。就像瑜伽着重正確姿態、專注呼吸、要定坐、要平和、從而與天主合而為一。

宗教主旨是培育個人與天主的關係。它不在於怎樣去了解神聖的奧蹟、而是怎樣讓自己融入這神聖的境界。我認為印度這文化甚是全面而能幫助我的靈修。

在 1981 年九月、我到巴黎耶穌會之 Centre Sevres 進修哲學和神學。我以為以我對法文、法史及法國文學的認識、在法國生活是一件容易事﹔但不久我吃了一驚、我發覺我的想法是錯的。法國是一個世俗主義的國家、非常反對神職人員。國家與宗教有嚴格的分離。那時法國文化敵視宗教。傳统祈禱方式（如頌唸玫瑰經）也被視為不合時宜。就像在毛里裘斯一樣、表達信仰的方式是理性和不俱形式的話語。

我感受不到宗教的温暖、我的信仰根基開始動搖。那時法國非常激進、在這環境下我慢慢的失掉了基督徒和神職人員的身份、我失去那份神聖的感覺、我隨波逐流。我要求長上把我調回印度讓我可以從這文化衝擊中復元過來。

在1979年我加入耶穌會是因為我經驗皈依後、希望渡聖善的人生。那時普遍認為要奉獻自己為神職人員( 神父，修士，修女) 才是成聖之道。所以我就決定成為一位神父。從我的歐洲歷史課中我得知聖依納爵 St. Ignatius of Loyola 對十六世紀教會的改革和反改革都有很大的影響、對他十分欣佩。我嚮往聖依納爵、所以加入了他成立的耶穌會。

成為神職人員是要過獨身和清規生活的。初時我接受、但後來我意識到這生活對我是困難的。所以退出了神職人員的身份。

在1986年我退出耶穌會、我頓時發覺我失去一所支援我信仰的組織。我失去方向、我失去目的。那年我返回巴黎再進修、決定融入那俗世主義的文化、我要過那沒有宗教約束的生活。慢慢的我漂離宗教﹕我再不喜歡禱告、不守主日、不参與教會活動。多年我漫無人生目的漂泊、感受到一片空虛、躁動、恐惶和焦慮。

大概在2002年八月我重回教會。在2005年我加入了Society of Evangelical Life of the Heart of Jesus﹔它是一個由一羣推動聖依納爵神修信念的凡人所組成的會。我加入此會原因有三﹕首先這心靈大家庭可支持我信仰的路程﹔其次雖然我再不是耶穌會修士、我的神修信念跟聖依納爵的是一致﹔其三這會歡迎一眾的人﹕不論是男是女、已婚未婚、分居離婚、鰥夫寡婦、修士凡人、非聖職執事等。

我覺察這是上主再錫給我機會來事奉他。我感覺平和、我更新了人生目的。

2012 年八月十五日、我立下禱文、友愛、貞潔和清貧的短期誓言（附注一）。總副裁 Pierre-Jean Stygelbout SVE 從比利時Belgium來到加拿大為我執行宣誓、並在加拿大成立了這會。現今温哥華的會有五名成員。

每當我回望我神修的路程、我覺察到每次我對天主有抗拒時、總是他先向我申出更深友誼之手、對此我非常感謝他。

我亦終於學會了向上主投誠﹕我不再要求他成全我想所做的事、我只求他在我要決策之時幫助我能明確辨別那一個選擇才可事奉他多些和帶給他更多讚頌。

用這態度來處事可另我內心更寧靜和自在。

附注一﹕為期兩至五年之守諾（完）

各教友可上jagvancouver.wordpress.com瀏覽 JAG 英、法、中、「博客」。

 

Foi et Culture

Je m’appelle Georges Gracieuse . Je viens de l’île Maurice et je me suis installé à Vancouver , au Canada, avec ma femme et ma fille Sharmila Samantha depuis Janvier 2008.

Au cours de la dernière rencontre de l’Association de la Colombie-Britannique des Anciens Elèves des Jésuites, le samedi 15 Mars , 2014 animé par le P. Richard Soo SJ , nous avons réfléchi sur les questions suivantes sur la foi et la culture :

1 . Comment votre culture a apporté un soutien à votre foi ?
2 . Comment votre culture vous a gêné dans votre cheminement dans la foi ?
3 . Comment l’Église a été un soutien à votre foi ?
4 . Comment l’Église a entravé votre cheminement dans la foi ?

Voici ce que j’ai partagé lors de cette réunion.

Je suis un créole d’origine africaine . Mes ancêtres sont venus à Maurice au début du 18e siècle, soit du Mozambique, le Madagascar ou le Sénégal comme esclaves des colons français. Ils ont travaillé sur de grandes plantations de canne à sucre et les sucreries appartenant à ces colon . Les esclaves d’une même tribu étaient dispersés sur différentes plantations de l’île pour empêcher toute communication entre eux et l’éventualité d’une révolte . Les esclaves habitant sur une même plantation avaient dû imiter la langue de leur maître, à savoir le français, pour communiquer, développant ainsi le patois créole.

L’église était sous le contrôle des colons. Le clergé et la langue liturgique étaient français. Tous les esclaves étaient catholiques parce qu’ils avaient été baptisés et avaient reçu un nom chrétien dès qu’ils débarquaient sur l’ile.

La communauté créole souffre d’ une crise d’identité parce que leurs ancêtres, les esclaves, ont été coupés de leurs racines: leurs traditions et leurs cultures. Ils se sont identifiés avec l’Église parce qu’ils étaient catholiques. Même dans l’Église, ils se sentent aliénés parce qu’ils n’ont pas le pouvoir et la liturgie ne tient pas compte de leur manière de prier. Tandis que la manière occidentale de célébrer la liturgie est plus cérébrale, la manière africaine de priere et louer Dieu est plus émotionnelle et une plus grande place est accordée à l’expression physique. J’ai réalisé cette différence, avec du recul, quand je suis allé en Inde en 1979 pour entrer dans la Compagnie de Jésus. En Inde, les pratiques religieuses étaient moins discursive et plus contemplative; ils embrassent la personne toute entière – corps et âme . Par exemple, le Yoga enseigne à l’individu de développer une posture appropriée, d’être conscient de sa respiration, de d’être tranquille, d’être en harmonie, et de s’unir à Dieu. La religion vise à développer une relation personnelle avec Dieu: elle ne repose pas sur la façon d’appréhender le mystère divin, mais sur la façon de communier et de devenir un avec le mystère divin. J’ai trouvé la culture indienne très holistique et propice à ma croissance spirituelle .

En Septembre 1981, j’ai suis allé en France pour étudier la philosophie et la théologie au Centre Sèvres, la Faculté Théologique des Jésuites, à Paris . Je pensais que la vie en France serait facile parce que j’étais très familier avec la langue, l’histoire et la littérature française. Mais j’ai vite découvert, à ma grande surprise, que j’ai eu tort . La France était un pays laïc, très anti -clérical , avec une stricte séparation entre l’Etat et la religion. Alors que les cultures mauriciennes et indiennes étaient assez favorables à la poursuite religieuse, la culture française à l’époque était assez hostile. Je sentais que le sens du sacré était absent . Même dans l’Église, la façon traditionnelle de prière comme la récitation du chapelet était considérée comme dépassée. La pratique de la religion était plus cérébral et discursive. Je ne pouvais pas sentir la chaleur de la religion et j’ai commencé à perdre pied. L’environnement culturel était agressif et j’ai perdu lentement mon identité en tant que chrétien, en tant que religieux . J’ai été emporté par une vague déstabilisante et j’ai dû demander à mes supérieurs de me permettre de retourner en Inde pour me remettre de ce choc culturel .

Lorsque je suis entré dans la Compagnie de Jésus en 1979, c’était après une expérience de conversion. Et je désirai mener une vie de sainteté. A cette époque, on considérait que la vie consacrée (prêtres, moines, religieux, etc.) était la principale voie vers la sainteté. Donc j’avais décidé de devenir prêtre. J’avais choisi de devenir jésuite parce que j’étais inspiré par la vie d’Ignace de Loyola, fondateur de la Compagnie de Jésus . Je l’admirais parce que dans ma classe de l’histoire européenne lorsque je préparais mon Bac, j’ai découvert qu’il était quelqu’un qui a eu un impact profond sur l’Église à l’époque de la Réforme et la Contre -Réforme au 16e siècle . Le célibat faisait partie de l’emballage de la vie religieuse et je l’vais accepté. Mais plus tard, j’ai réalisé que vivre une vie de célibat était difficile pour moi et j’ai finalement décidé de quitter la vie religieuse .

Quand j’ai quitté la Compagnie de Jésus en 1986, je me suis soudainement retrouvée seule, sans une structure pour me soutenir dans mon cheminement spirituel. Je n’avais plus une orientation, un but pour s’accrocher. Cette année-là, je suis retourné en France pour continuer mes études et j’avais décidé d’embrasser la culture laïque. Je voulais vivre une vie libre de contraintes religieuses. Lentement, j’ai dérivé. Je n’avais plus goût à la prière, à aller à la messe et à participer à des activités de l’Église. J’ai erré sans but pendant des années, j’ai fais l’expérience du vide, de l’agitation, de la peur et de l’angoisse.

J’ai commencé à revenir à l’église à partir d’Août 2002. En 2005, je suis entré dans la Société de Vie Évangélique du Cœur de Jésus, une association de laïcs qui vivent la spiritualité ignacienne . J’ai été attiré par ce groupe pour plusieurs raisons. Tout d’abord, j’avais le soutien d’une famille spirituelle pour mon cheminement spirituel . Deuxièmement, la spiritualité ignacienne est toujours resté au cœur spiritualité même si je n’étais plus un jésuite. Troisièmement, dans ce groupe tous étaient les bienvenus: homme ou femme, marié, séparé, divorcé, célibataire ou veuf, prêtre, diacre ou laïc. Je sentais que Dieu me donnait une deuxième chance de me consacrer entièrement à lui. J’ai retrouvé l’unité en moi et un nouveau souffle dans la vie.

Le 15 Août 2012, j’ai prononcer mon premier engagement en faisant les vœux de la prière, la fraternité, la chasteté et la pauvreté. Pierre-Jean Stygelbout SVE, Assistant-Général de la Société de Vie Evangélique du Cœur de Jésus, est venu de Belgique pour recevoir mes vœux et de lancer officiellement la Société au Canada. Aujourd’hui, le groupe de Vancouver compte cinq membres .

Quand je regarde mon cheminement spirituel, je suis reconnaissant envers le Christ d’aoir toujours pris l’initiative pour m’a tirer plus profondément dans son intimité, surtout lorsque que je lui résistais. J’ai appris progressivement a m’abandonner à lui. Désormais je ne lui demande plus de bénir ce que j’ai déjà décidé de faire; mais avant de prendre une décision, je lui demande de m’aider à discerner sa volonté, ce qui sera pour sa plus grande gloire. Avec cette nouvelle attitude, je ressens une paix profonde et une plus grande liberté intérieure .

Les Blogs de JAG peuvent être lus en anglais, en chinois et en français à l’adresse suivante: jagvancouver.wordpress.com

Planting Ignatian Seeds in Vancouver

By Dom Bautista Vancouver Jesuit Alumni Group

The strum of the guitars greeted me as I walked in Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Parish in Vancouver last July 31 2009. At the invitation of GG Francisco, who I recently met, Jesuit-trained alumni gathered to celebrate the Feast of St Ignatius. He and a number of his friends from Ateneo de Manila University, a Filipino Jesuit university, were rehearsing the hymns for the celebration.

The fact that it was 5 PM on a Friday before a long weekend did not deter the attendees. Mass would start soon enough, with a room filled with the parishioners and a number of alumni from many Jesuit schools around the world.

St Ignatius was born in 1491 at the Castle of Loyola whose brief military career ended when a cannonball injured his legs. It was during his convalescence that he converted, punctuated by his vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus. For some of us Xavier School alumni in the Philippines, who were fortunate enough to have had Fr Cornelius Pineau, SJ, one of the many French-Canadian Jesuit priests who started Xavier School, tell the story more than once, St Ignatius’ somewhat abbreviated life notwithstanding, he managed to form the Society of Jesus and to write his magnum opus “Spiritual Exercises”.

Fr Robert Wong, SJ, who used to be the assistant pastor in St Paul’s Parish in Richmond and is a good friend of Xavier School’s Fr Ismael Zuloaga, SJ and Fr Johnny Go, SJ, and recently appointed as the parish priest to Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Parish, welcomed all of us.

As Fr Robert began his homily, he surveyed the room and warmed us with his generous smile. He welcomed and acknowledged that this was the first diverse group of alumni who have come to celebrate St Ignatius, some of who have come from the Philippines, China, Nicaragua, Mauritius and the United States.

And while the family of Jesuits is clearly confined to their order, Fr Robert asked how non-Jesuits can fit in as collaborators to help keep faith with the tenets of St Ignatius. For there are many of us who have benefited from the education and training from the Jesuits.

The answer, he recounted, came to him one day when he realized that non-Jesuits are part of the greater Ignatian family, as every member of this broad family has received the gift of Ignatian spirituality. The richness of this family makes it diverse. I could not help but think that it was so remarkable for this idea to bear fruit in Canada. For Canada espouses and embraces cultural diversity.

Fr Robert ended by planting a seed by encouraging us: “to light the chrism of the Society and to embrace and share Ignatian values with our family and friends. We can do great things for others.”

Last January 2013, his remarks bore fruit with the start of the Vancouver Jesuit Alumni Group (JAG).  JAG blogs can be read in Chinese, Filipino, and French
at:  jagvancouver.wordpress.com (see below).

Dom Bautista is a member of the Vancouver Jesuit Alumni Group; he attended Xavier School in Manila before moving to Vancouver in 1976 to continue his studies. This year he has ventured into blogging as part of his prayers.

Chinese Translation

把聖依納爵 St. Ignatius of Loyola的種子散播在溫哥華大地上
溫哥華耶穌會校友 Vancouver Jesuit Alumni Group 蔡宗善 Dom Bautista 著

承友人 G. G. Francisco 之邀請、我有機會𦲷臨溫哥華與一班耶穌會之校友一齊慶祝聖依納爵 St. Ignatius of Loyola 之 瞻禮)。二零零九年七月卅一那天、當我步進 Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Parish 教堂時、已聽見 G.G.Francisco 和一眾從菲律賓亞典耀耶穌會大学 Ateneo de Manila University 來的朋友排練聖詠傳出來響朗之「結他」美調。

雖然那天是長週末前的星期五、而且還是下午五時、來參與的信徒眾多。除了堂區教友、還有來自中國、菲律賓、尼加拉瓜、毛里求斯、美國世界各地的信眾和耶穌會學校之校友。

聖依納爵一四九一年於西班牙「羅耀拉」堡壘 Castle of Loyola 出生。曾從軍、可惜被炮彈打傷雙腿、所以在很短的時間內便要退役。在他康復期間、生活於神修體驗中、感受到靈聖的思寵、不時看見聖母抱着耶穌聖嬰。聖依納爵從而信奉了天主。聖依納爵人生雖短 （1491-1556）、但在  1540 年成立了耶穌會、並把靈修精華記錄成「神操」Spiritual Excercises 巨著。

那些在菲律賓光啟學校 Xavier School 來之舊生和同學、一定會記得學校創辦人耶穌會士孫國光 Father Cornelius Pineau, SJ 時常給我們講聖依納爵這編軼事。巧合地孫神父也是來自加拿大、是位法裔人士。

回說慶典那天、首先 Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Parish 主任司鐸耶穌會士王錦倫 Father Robert K. L. Wong, SJ 以溫馨之笑容熱切歡迎和感謝各教友𦲷臨。王神父是光啟學校耶穌會士蘇樂康 Father Zuloaga , SJ 和耶穌會士吳彰義Father Go, SJ 之好朋友。亦是列治文區 St. Paul’s Parish 之前助理司鐸。王錦倫耶穌會神父第一次看見有那麼多來自不同國家的信眾齊來慶祝聖依納爵瞻禮、感到十分欣慰。

「耶穌會士固然遵守耶穌會信念、非耶穌會士怎樣可以與耶穌會士共同合力推廣聖依納爵的信念呢?」 王神父把一個有趣的問題帶出來。

據王神父解釋、一般信眾亦有不少是由耶穌會士培育出來的、受惠於聖依納爵的神修信念、是聖依納爵大家庭成員之一份子、所以非耶穌會會士亦能與耶穌會共同合力推廣聖依納爵的信念。

因為聖依納爵家庭成員是這多元化、能把聖依納爵信念之種子散播在加拿大這多元文化的國家是多精彩絕倫。

在講道完結之前、王錦倫耶穌會神父 說了以下勵志的話把種子先放進我們的心間：

「你們要點亮耶穌會之聖油、與各親朋分享聖依納爵之教念、把它發揚光大、造福人羣」。

所說的話不久就有了成果：在二零零三年的一月第一個溫哥華耶穌會學校的「校友會」the Vancouver Jesuit Alumni Group (JAG) 便成立了！

各教友可上 jagvancouver.wordpress.com 瀏覽 JAG 英、法、中、菲律賓文「博客」。

備註：蔡宗善 Dom Bautista 是溫哥華耶穌會校友。在菲律賓馬尼拉光啓學校修讀、在1976年移居溫哥華完成學業。隨時代轉變、今年蔡宗善嘗試用「博客」形式來做一部分的祈禱從而接觸更廣大之羣眾。

Filipino Translation

Ang Pagtatanim ng Binhi ni San Ignacio sa Vancouver

Dom Bautista, Samahan ng Nakapagtapos sa Paaralang Heswita (Vancouver)

Ang tunog ng gitara ang bumati sa akin habang pumasok ako sa parokyang Katoliko ng Banal na Pangalan ni Hesus sa Vancouver noong 31 Hulyo 2009.  Sa imbitasyon ni GG Francisco, na kamakailan ko lamang nakilala, nagtipon ang mga paaralang Heswita upang ipagdiwang ang Pista ni San Ignacio.  Siya at ang kanyang mga kaibigan mula sa Ateneo de Manila University, isang unibersidad ng Heswita sa Pilipinas, ang nagiinsayo ng mga kanta para sa pagdiriwang.

Kahit alas singko na ng hapon sa isang Biyiernes ng isang mahabang katapusan ng linggo ay hindi humadlang sa mga dumalo.  Malapit ng magsimula ang misa, at ang simbahan ay puno na ng mga taga parokya at ng mga nagtapos sa iba’t ibang paaralang Hewsita mula sa buong mundo.

Si San Ignacio ay ipinanganak ng 1491 sa kastilyo ng Loyola at ang kaniyang panandaliang kaugnayan sa hukbong militar ay naudlot dahil sa isang bala ng kanyon na sumugat sa kanyang mga binti. Sa panahon ng kaniyang pagpapagaling, siya ay nagbalik loob sa kaniyang pananampalataya, at sa pamamagitan ng kaniyang pagkakita sa Mapalad na Birheng Maria at ang hawak niyang sanggol na si Hesus.  Para sa ilan sa aming mapalad na nakapag-aral sa Paaralang Xavier sa Pilipinas, na nakapagaral sa ilalim ni Padre Cornelius Pineau SJ, isa sa maraming  Pranses-Kanadianong Heswitang pari na nagsimula ng Paaralang Xavier, malimit niyan ikinukuwento, na si San Ignacio na kahit pinaikli nang tadhana ang buhay niya, siya ang nakapagbuo ng Kapisanan ni Hesus at sumulat ng kaniyang dakilang akda “Spiritual Excercises”.

Si Padre Robert Wong SJ na pangalawang pastor sa parokyang San Paolo sa Richmond at isang mabuting kaibigan ni Padre Ismael Zuloaga SJ at si Padre Johnny Go SJ ng Paaralang Xavier, na kamakailan lamang itinalaga bilang pari na Parokya sa Banal na Pangalan ni Jesus na tumanggap sa aming lahat.

Sa pagsimula ni Padre Robert ng kanyang sermon tungkol sa Ebanghelyo, siniyasat niya ang silid at binahagi niya sa amin ang kaniyang taus-pusong ngiti.  Binati niya at kinilala niya na ito ay ang unang pagkakataon na dumalo ang mga magkakaibang pangkat sa pagdiwang kay San Ignacio, na ang ilan nagmula pa sa Pilipinas, China, Nicaragua, Mauritius at Estados Unidos.

At habang ang mga pamilya ng mga Heswita ay malinaw na kasapi sa kanilang samahan, itinanong ni Padre Robert kung paano ang mga hindi-Heswita ay maaring makipagtulungan na pananatili ng pananampalataya sa mga turo ni San Ignacio.  Dahil marami na sa amin ang nakinabang sa edukasyon at pagsasanay mula sa mga Heswita.

Ang sagot, napagmuni-muni niya, ay ang mga hindi-Heswita ay bahagi rin ng masmalawag na pamilya ni San Ignacio sa paniniwala at pananampalataya na tumanggap ng biyaya ng Espirituwalidad ni San Ignacio. Ang kayamanan ng kapisanan ang siyang nagpapalawak dito. Hindi ko maaring ipagkaila sa abot ng aking kaisipan na ito ay magbunga sa Canada sapagkat tinatanggap nito ang iba’t ibang cultura.

Tinapos ni Fr Robert ang kanyang pagsasalaysay sa pamamagitan ng pagtatanim sa paniwala at panghikayat sa amin: “Ilawan ang buhay paniniwala ng samahang Heswita at ipamahagi ang mga halaga ni San Ignacio sa ating pamilya at mga kaibigan.  Gumawa tayo ng kabutihan para sa iba.”

Noong Enero 2013, ang kanyang pagsasalaysay ay nagbunga sa pagsisimula ng Kasamahang ng Mga-nakapagtapos ng Paaralang Heswita (Vancouver). Ang mga “blog” ay mababasa sa wikang Ingles, Intsik at Prances sa: jagvancouver.wordpress.com

Si Dom Bautista ay miyembro ng Jesuit Alumni Group ng Vancouver; siya ay nag-aral sa Paaralang Xavier sa Maynila bago siya lumipat sa Vancouver noong 1976 para ipagpatuloy ang kanyang pagaaral. Itong taon, nagsimula siyang sumulat ng blog bilang bahagi ng kanyang pananalangin. 

FRENCH TRANSLATION
La Semence de Saint Ignace à Vancouver

Dom Bautista du Group de Vancouver des Anciens Elèves des Jésuites

Le raclement des guitares m’a accueilli comme j’entrais dans l’église catholique du Saint Nom de Jésus de Vancouver le 31 Juillet 2009. J’y étais à l’invitation du GG Francisco  que j’avais rencontré récemment. Les anciens élèves formés par les jésuites s’étaient réunis pour célébrer la fête de saint Ignace. GG Francisco et un certain nombre de ses amis de l’Université Ateneo de Manille, une université jésuite dans les Philippines, répétait les hymnes pour la célébration.

Le fait qu’il était 17 heures un vendredi avant un long week-end n’avait pas découragé les participants. La messe allait commencer bientôt, avec une salle remplie des paroissiens et un certain nombre d’anciens élèves de plusieurs écoles Jésuites du monde entier.

Saint Ignace était né en 1491 au château de Loyola et sa brève carrière militaire fut interrompue quand un boulet de canon lui cassa les jambes. C’est durant sa convalescence qu’il s’était converti, touchée par sa vision de la Vierge Marie tenant l’enfant Jésus. Certains d’entre nous, les anciens élèves de l’Ecole François Xavier dans les Philippines, qui ont eu la chance d’entendre le père Cornelius Pineau SJ, l’un des nombreux prêtres Jésuites canadiens francophones qui avaient créé cette l’école, raconter cette histoire plus d’une fois, se souviennent que Saint Ignace malgré sa courte vie, avait réussi à former la Compagnie de Jésus et à écrire son opus magnum ” Les Exercices Spirituels “.

Il échu au Père Robert Wong SJ, qui dans le passé était le vicaire de la paroisse de Saint- Paul à Richmond et qui était un bon ami des Pères Ismael Zuloaga SJ et Johnny Go SJ  de l’école Xavier, et qui fut nommé récemment Curé de la paroisse catholique du Saint-Nom de Jésus, de nous accueillir.

Aussitôt que le Père Robert a commencé son homélie, il a parcouru la salle du regard et nous a réchauffés le cœur avec son sourire gracieux. Il a prononcé un mot d’accueil et a reconnu que c’était la première fois qu’un groupe venant des quatre coins du monde célébrait la fête de Saint Ignace: certains venaient des Philippines, de la Chine, du Nicaragua, de l’île Maurice et des Etats-Unis.

Le Père Robert a partagé comment pendant longtemps il réfléchissait sur la façon d’inclure les non- Jésuites comme collaborateurs à la mission des Jésuites pour propager la foi selon la spiritualité de Saint Ignace. Car il y avait beaucoup d’entre nous qui avaient bénéficié de l’éducation et de la formation chez les Jésuites.

La réponse, il a avoué, lui était venue un jour où il s’est rendu compte que les non- Jésuites, ayant reçu le don de la spiritualité ignacienne, faisaient partie de la grande famille ignacienne. La richesse de cette famille était multiple. Je ne pouvais pas m’empêcher de penser qu’il était si remarquable que cette idée ait porté ses fruits au Canada. Surtout que le Canada adhère et embrasse la diversité culturelle.

Le Père Robert a conclu en plantant une graine en nous encourageant : « d’allumer le charisme de la Compagnie de Jésus et d’embrasser et de partager les valeurs ignaciennes avec nos famille et nos amis. Nous pourrons ainsi faire de grandes choses pour les autres ».

En Janvier 2013, ses remarques ont porté leurs fruits avec le lancement du Jesuit Alumni Group de Vancouver (JAG). Les Blogs de JAG peuvent être lus en anglais, en chinois, et filipino et en français à l’adresse suivante: jagvancouver.wordpress.com.

Dom Bautista est membre du Jesuit Alumni Group de Vancouver, il a fréquenté l’école Xavier à Manille avant de s’installer à Vancouver en 1976 pour poursuivre ses études. Cette année, il s’est lancé dans les blogs dans le cadre de ses prières.