Fr. Provincial Xavier Olin, SJ recently visited the Jesuit novices at Sacred Heart Novitiate. During his visit, he spent time listening to their experiences, including the joys and challenges in their journey, and accompanying them as they discern the movements of the Spirit in their lives during this foundational stage of their Jesuit formation.
The novitiate is a period of profound spiritual and personal growth, helping a young Jesuit deepen his relationship with God, grow in self-understanding, and become more deeply rooted in the life and mission of the Society of Jesus.
From the Lectern
Representatives, Not Substitutes: Homily for the Ordination to the Presbyterate of Revs Bulan, Cruz, and Santos (Jn 10:11–16)
Dom, Bien, and James, allow me to begin by making one thing very clear to you. From this day forward, you are being ordained not to become substitutes for Christ, but to become his representatives. Hindi kapalit kundi kinatawan. The distinction is important. A substitute is a replacement for someone who is absent. A representative…
Building Bridges: The Dialogue between Jesuit Schools, the Philippines, and China
From its beginnings, the Society of Jesus has had a special interest in China. One of the Founding Fathers, St. Francis Xavier, brought Christianity to significant parts of Asia and died off the coast of Mainland China in 1552, his dream of evangelizing China left unfulfilled. In October of that same year, Matteo Ricci was born in Macerata, Italy, and…
Walking with the Youth: A Parish Youth Ministry in a Filipino-Chinese Setting and Community
My uncle is Monsignor Gerardo Santos, DD, and for many years, he wanted me to become a priest. When he would introduce me to the seminarians he was mentoring and teaching, he would say, “This is my nephew, Juano, sana Diocesan pero kinuha siya ni San Ignacio!” Though he was a diocesan priest, he did not even mind if I…
To a Young Man Who Wants to Be a Jesuit
In these fast-changing and sometimes tough times, I feel a deep need to reach out to young people like you, who are thoughtfully considering your future and spiritual journey. As a Jesuit, I have been blessed to experience a profound journey of conversion and an ongoing call to live authentically, all grounded in God’s unconditional love and the mission of the Church. Today, I want to share some thoughts and experiences that might resonate with your own search for meaning and purpose.
COMMON HOME
Laudato Si’ and Integral Ecology 10 Years Later
How did we spend the last 10 years of living Laudato Si’ and integral ecology? Were we trying to listen, trying to learn perhaps, but remaining indecisive for periods, with increased distraction, division, and denial? The main challenge is not a project design—or a technology—but good will in seeking collaboration across silos. Where have we come from? The encyclical Laudato…
THE WINDHOVER
Year XXVIII (2026) Vol 1
The Jesuit apostolate in the Chinese-Filipino community spans schools, parishes, and various pastoral ministries that nurture faith, education, and service. Through these institutions, Jesuits accompany…
Universal Apostolic Preferences
The Universal Apostolic Preferences provide a guiding vision for the entire Society of Jesus. They ignite our aspirations and stir our ambitions, fostering unity in our shared mission. These new Preferences encompass four crucial focal points for addressing contemporary global needs. Over the next decade, the Society of Jesus will prioritize these areas, and we extend an invitation for you to delve deeper into them and join us in making a meaningful impact rooted in the Gospel.
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