One major issue since the first meeting of Major Superiors in Lusaka in 1970 was the “formation” of young Jesuits: it was recognised as being very important to provide for the solid intellectual and spiritual formation which is asked of Jesuits within the African context.
There are presently three common centres of of formation under the direction of JCAM, in Nairobi, Harare and Abidjan. Other institutes, established in Kinshasa and Antananarivo, have also welcomed staff or students from other parts of the continent.
The formation of a Jesuit starts with the novitiate, a two-year programme which is followed by a first period of academic study, usually in philosophy.
After a period of apostolic work there comes a second period of study in theology and, at times, other fields of expertise. During the years of studies there are also many experiences of volunteering in pastoral work, teaching in schools and sharing faith at the local and marginalised areas of our society.
The path to entering the Society of Jesus is an important one. It requires a deep faith in God, an understanding of oneself, and a commitment to years of study.
For the first two years — the novitiate — the novices complete a series of “experiments,” designed to test them and to help them grow in the love of Christ, increase their knowledge of the Society of Jesus and minister to people on the margins.
This period integrates intellectual and spiritual growth.
After professing First Vows, a Jesuit moves into further study or academic work as a brother or a scholastic (a man who is preparing for priesthood). He studies philosophy at a Jesuit university, usually for three years. Additional ministerial work further deepens his Jesuit identity.
Some scholastics and brothers work on advanced degrees in philosophy or other subjects.
For the first time during formation, a Jesuit brother or scholastic works full-time in a Jesuit ministry, living in an apostolic community of Jesuits, usually for three years.
Theology studies prepare Jesuits for ordination as priests and the service of the faith.
After completing regency, Jesuit scholastics study theology at the graduate and post graduate levels, usually for four years.
Tertianship is a time of renewal and during this period .
A Jesuit revisits the foundational documents and history of the Society of Jesus and once more makes the 30-day Spiritual Exercises — in a sense reaffirming his vocation.
AIDS is no longer considered to be an emergency, and appears to be sliding down the agenda of international priorities.
But we are only too aware that the epidemic remains a threat to millions of people, families, and communities across sub-Saharan Africa, and are determined to continue doing our utmost to be with those who are affected, to make sure they have all they need to live life to the full, and to prevent the further spread of the epidemic.
It is easy to see “who” the African Jesuit AIDS Network (AJAN) is, from its name:
It is a network of Jesuits and their co-workers in Sub-Saharan Africa, who are somehow involved in the ministry of AIDS care and HIV prevention.
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The Jesuits Justice Ecology Network Africa (JENA) is a diverse community of faith-inspired Jesuit non-profits. The Jesuits Justice Ecology Network Africa (JENA) operates under the aegis of the Justice and Ecology Office of the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar (JCAM).
Working collaboratively with communities whose voices and life-ways have been marginalised and who may experience an intersection of multiple forms of injustice, our member organisations are dedicated to fighting poverty and related injustices around Africa empowering marginalised voices, communities and groups, and facilitating policy innovation.
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JCAM ran its first programme in 2018 following the common tertianship programme of the Society of Jesus with a particular emphasis on the African experience of the Society of Jesus.
It is essentially the ‘school of the heart’ for the Jesuit at the end of his primary formation as St Ignatius desired; it aims to create a community of priest and brother tertians through a mutual sharing of our Jesuit life stories and prayer.
The consideration of our own life story and that of St Ignatius with the experience of the Spiritual Exercises seeks to integrate the life of each tertian for final incorporation into the Society. A study of the Constitutions, General Congregations, history of the Society, vows and administration of the Society is an integral part of the tertianship.
Discover MoreThe initiative started in February 2010 when the Superior General of the Jesuits commissioned work towards establishing a centre in Africa.
Tasked with collecting historical records connected with the Order’s missionary involvement on the world’s third largest continent.
The initiative started in February 2010 when the Superior General of the Jesuits commissioned work towards establishing a centre in Africa tasked with collecting historical records connected with the Order’s missionary involvement on the world’s third largest continent. The centre would then make such material available to any researchers who might find the collection useful as well as facilitate targeted research.
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The Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar (JCAM) promotes, within the communities, formation houses, ministries and governance of the Society, a consistent culture of protection and safety for minors and vulnerable persons; that is, a normal, habitual way of living, relating, working, in which those whom we serve, particularly children and vulnerable persons, always feel respected, safe, and loved.
JCAM commits to creating a culturally sensitive and contextually relevant safeguarding environment to ensure a generation free from abuse.
Our concern here in the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar is to strengthen the resources which this youngest part of the Society can draw upon to carry forward the work of building the Kingdom of God in the service of God’s people.
Prayer for the Church around the world is, of course, a most valuable thing and alongside prayer is what was once called almsgiving and is sometimes spoken of in other terms – partnering in mission, as planned giving, as solidarity with those in need.
Evelyn’s Story: AIDS Robbed Her of Her Dignity
“My own brothers chased me away from my father’s land when I went back there following the passing on of my husband”, says Evelyn. “In 2013, the year of my husband’s death, I moved from up country to the slums of Nairobi to try and fend for my children, whom my relatives also threatened. Evelyn’s husband had two wives with the first one inheriting all the land to her detriment. “It is in the slums that the Jesuit, St. Joseph The Worker Parish reached out to me”, she adds. Occasionally Evelyn and her community receive help in the form of foodstuffs, facilitation of medication, and have also been offered training, obtaining skills such as greenhouse farming and nutritional support.
Evelyn helps the Parish reach out to other widows and in turn helps the community to access and utilize benefits of the project. She works under a program called Uzima which aims to provide comprehensive health services to People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) in Kangemi, Nairobi-Kenya.
Your donations support our Ignatian inspired programmes that touch on social justice, ecology, policy, and advocacy. For the next five years, JENA commits to engage, educate, and advocate on the global agendas (e.g., SDGs) and agencies for change highlighting the greater sustainable values, collaboration and scientific knowledge while supporting the cry of the poor. Your support helps us promote our advocacy campaigns to help those left behind as the numerous Jesuit works in Africa continue to actively promote justice and reconciliation with others and with the environment.
We aim to bring the charity and the justice of the Gospel to today’s world.
The focus of Jesuit formation is to prepare priests and brothers who are well educated, trained in the Spiritual Exercises, and have the skills to minister in a diverse and ever-changing environment. Today it requires almost $50,000 a year to support each Jesuit in, formation – a process that can take upwards of ten years. Please help support the future of the Society of Jesus by donating to our formation fund.
The programme aims to create, promote and sustain a consistent culture of protection across the ministries, communities, and apostolates of the Society of Jesus in Africa and Madagascar. Safeguarding workshops are organised: to generate commitment by the leadership, increase technical understanding and equip Child Protection Officers within the various ministries with resources and tools to facilitate safeguarding conversations and initiatives within their Provinces.
As a faith-based institute seeking to preserve memory and promote historical knowledge, the Jesuit Historical Institute in Africa appeals to the support of friends, benefactors, and well-wishers for the financing of its operations. It is with such support that it pursues its four-fold mission and ultimately realizes its vision of creating in Africa an environment that is conducive for primary research in Jesuit studies and in the histories, cultures, and religions of the people of Africa and Madagascar.
The JHIA solicits funds for four specific purposes: Recurrent expenses, Research projects, Acquisitions, and Long-term construction plans.
Your support changes lives and improves the world research. Thank you for being part of bringing a change to research to people everywhere.
If you wish to make a donation by direct bank transfer please contact Fr Paul Hamill SJ treasurer@jesuits.africa. Fr Paul will get in touch with you about the best method of transfer for you and share account details with you. Donations can be one-off gifts or of any frequency; for example, you might wish to become a regular monthly donor of small amounts; that sort of reliable income can allow for very welcome forward planning in the development of the Society’s works in Africa and Madagascar.
Often it is easier to send a donation to an office within your own country and Fr Paul can advise on how that might be done. In some countries this kind of giving can also be recognised for tax relief and the necessary receipts will be issued.
