"If Francis Xavier walked into this chapel, I do not think he would begin with strategies, statistics, or structures. He would look at each of us—young or old, energized, or exhausted—and he would ask: 'Where is your zeal? Where is your availability? Where are the poor you have touched? Where are the young you have lifted up? Where is the God you are helping others encounter?'" - Harvey C. Mateo SJ

"Bert, I believe your vocation story, much like mine, is rooted in the mission of Jesuits who planted the seeds of faith in our islands. In your case, it was the Spanish Jesuit Fr Argarate—whose zeal led to the establishment of the parish in Olutanga. His missionary presence shaped and nurtured your parents’ faith, and in time, yours." - Gil C. Donayre, SJ

"How can we deepen our commitment to the poor and vulnerable? In our regular pastoral commitments, do we have space for the poor—celebrating Masses in a poor community, or giving the Exercises to disadvantaged communities? Even in our effort to promote vocations for Ours, Fr General reminded us at our Meeting of Major Superiors (MMS) about the importance of working with the poor: 'We need to ask Jesus to call many to join this least Society, to be pilgrims with us in the service of Christ’s mission, to carry the cross of Jesus with him, to lighten the burdens of so many people today who are wounded and suffering, sick, poor, excluded'" - Xavier L. Olin, SJ

"Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic exhortation Dilexi Te focuses on the Christian vocation of following Christ necessarily through encounter with the poor. The exhortation is not primarily a sociological or economic analysis but an ecclesial and christological proclamation: the Church exists because Christ loved the poor, chose to be one with them, and continues to encounter the world through them. The Pope’s central conviction is simple yet demanding: a Church that does not recognize Christ in the poor risks losing contact with Christ himself." - Joel E. Tabora, SJ

The Loyola House of Studies Jesuit Community recently held its annual triduum retreat, a sacred time of prayer and reflection that prepares the formands for the renovation of their vows before Fr. Provincial Xavier L. Olin, SJ. Rooted in silence, discernment, and communal prayer, the retreat invited each Jesuit to return to the graces of his vocation and to remember his commitment to the mission of the Society of Jesus. The occasion also marked the community’s annual picture-taking, a joyful moment of gratitude that celebrates both diversity of formation and unity of life and mission. We share here the photos of the LHS Jesuit Community and its sub-communities—First Studies, Theologate, Fathers’ and Brothers’, and Tertians—capturing a living snapshot of men journeying together in the service of Christ and the Church.