Emotional loyalties bind us and keep us from going beyond 'my people', 'my culture', 'my province'. We have been so 'structured' that we are habituated to doing things mechanically. Institutions have become our comfort zones. What values govern my life? How do I spend my day? Politicians are rarely considered to be or proposed as role models. They, however, may have a lot to teach us. It is time to open ourselves to the changing world and let the Spirit guide us.

Perhaps we are in, what Immanuel Kant would call, 'dogmatic slumber'. May be we are used to doing things in the same way, thinking nothing new, without vision and vigor. Articles of this issue will undoubtedly evoke some insights and retrospection.

Dear readers we are very glad to inform you that from this issue onwards we shall dedicate a separate column titled “GREENS FOR THOUGHTS CORNER”. It will exclusively deal with environmental issues. In this issue we are reminded of the challenge we face today as how to effectively conserve, manage, and distribute the water we have.

Have a fruitful reading.rd(Parciush is a 3 yr Philosopher at JDV)

Abraham Lincoln once said: "If I had six hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend the first four hours sharpening the axe." It is high time for Jesuits to sharpen our 'axe' to be more e f f e c t i v e a n d productive. All of us – s c h o l a s t i c s ,

brothers and priests – have to sit back and reflect on how best to reorganize and restructure ourselves.

thhe 36 General Congregation of the Society of Jesus has taken off. The focus of this GC is T'Responding to New Calls and Urgent Needs'

(Coetus Praevius Meeting, Rome, 2015). Many important issues are already being discussed both internationally and locally. The paramount importance has been directed towards restructuring of the Society of Jesus. Now, there has been a cloud of uncertainty looming over us as to what does this 'restructuring' imply.

The General of the Society of Jesus, Fr. Adolfo Nicolas has invited “every member of the South Asia Assistancy to acknowledge and rediscover in practice, t h a t o u r J e s u i t vocation is to the universal Society”. The Phesama Statement “A Universal Body for A Universal Mission” is a response to this invitation. This brings in a fresh challenge to individual Jesuits and provinces to be true to our universal vocation. Given the situation of diverse language, culture, ethnicity, etc. it demands tremendous effort from each one to be open to Restructuring.

Restructuring is for greater apostolic efficiency and collaboration. Pope Francis talked about religious being called to 'wake up the world'. Jesuits have a great task of waking up the world. This is not possible unless we awake ourselves and restructure ourselves.

In this issue we direct our attention chiefly on internal 'restructuring'. There are many 'viruses' that contradict the vision of universal mission. We have become victims of language, caste and ethnicity. The internet has in a way narrowed our lives and boundaries.

02 July 2016July 2016

Restructuring of Minds & HeartsRestructuring of Minds & HeartsEditorial

Parciush Marak SJ

process of restructuring. As a member of the Spiritual Animation Team (one of the three sub-committees) and having conducted Triduums and Retreats in some parts of the Assistancy, let me share some views on the theme of Restructuring.

Jesuits who have attended these Triduums and retreats came with their fears, anxieties, hesitations and even subconscious resistances. As men trained in the school of the Spiritual Exercises, their minds and hearts did open, even if slowly, to the relevance and urgency of

the theme.

Why have we taken so long – more than fifty years – to realize the need for restructuring and even now, why there are so m a n y h e s i t a t i o n s a n d r e s i s t ances? I s i t t ha t “restructuring” does not go well with the “structure” of our mind? The addiction to an established structure could be a neurological factor, something we can observe in the aging people.

But, on the other hand, liveliness of our heart depends on the flexibility of our mind. A frozen mind makes the heart frozen. That is why we have started the whole process of restructuring with spiritual animation, precisely to restructure our minds and hearts. Unless this internal restructuring takes place it is very difficult to actualize the external physical restructuring. Fortunately, we have inherited from Ignatius that excellent tool called “Discernment of Spirits”. This has been used effectively during this spiritual animation process.

A common objection against the restructuring is that it is the need of the West where the number of Jesuits has

(Cont'd on pg. 16)

estructuring” is the new buzzword in the South Asian Assistancy of the Society of Jesus. The Ridea, however, has been expressed in the

documents of the Society since GC 31. For more than half a century there have been efforts to foster a common vision and collaboration beyond narrow provincial boundaries; to restructure governance at all levels for greater effectiveness of our universal mission as Jesuits (see GC 31, D.48, n.8; GC 32, D.4, n.81; GC 33, D.1, n.46; GC 34, D. 21). The climax, of course, came with GC 35 Decree 5: Governance at the Service of Universal Mission. In response to the mandate given to him by GC 35, Fr. General Adolfo Nicholas wrote a letter to the whole Society on The Renewal of Province Structures in the Service of Universal Mission, (27 Sept. 2011). But, Fr. General had to write another letter to the Provincials of South Asia in Feb. 2014 conveying certain dissatisfactions over the generally poor response from our Assistancy. True to the Jesuit spirit, during their deliberations at Phesama, Nagaland in October 2014, the Provincials of the South Asian Assistancy responded to the critique of Father General with magnanimity and generosity. The fruit of their deliberations is what is known as the Phesama Statement. A booklet called, “A Universal Body For a Universal Mission” has been published by the POSA and distributed to every member of the Assistancy. Among others, the booklet contains the two letters of Father General (mentioned above), the Phesama Statement and the JCSA's Guiding Document on the Restructuring Process in South Asia. A major committee and three sub-committees have been formed to actualize the complex

03 July 2016July 2016

M. I. RAJ, S. J.

RestructuringRestructuringArticle

but somehow we are comfortable inside them. The safety and security of our institutional life is not likely to yield a prophetic relevance that speaks to the struggles of those journeying on the path of uncertainty but aspiring for a hopeful future.

Our first companions envisaged a universal, itinerant ministry of evangelization, teaching, works of charity and poverty of life: an evangelical imitation apostolorum, a radical pattern of apostolic discipleship, was to be the wellspring for what they did as priests. Earlier we were known as friends in the Lord, our community was ad dispersion but today living in a community has itself become a mission.

We have also described the Jesuit mission as engaging ¨under the standard of the Cross, in the crucial struggle of our time; the struggle of faith and that struggle for justice which it includes¨ (GC32: D2). The promotion

of Social justice requires, before all else, our own c o n t i n u i n g p e r s o n a l conversion—finding Jesus Christ in the brokenness of our world, living in solidarity with the poor and the outcast, so that we can take their cause under the standard of the cross. Are we aware about the brokenness

of the world? We have been always waiting for an opportune time to come for things to change. We have forgotten that the kingdom of God is here and now. The church asks the society to engage in whatever ̈ will seem expedient for the glory of God and the common good; this is our pathway to God¨ (formula 3) Are we looking for God´s glory or our own? Let us face these questions and examine ourselves honestly.

rd(Lloyd is a 3 yr Theologian at JDV)

ver the past five hundred years the Jesuits have spread across the globe. The goal is the same Obut the paths have been different. As we keep

moving it's a challenge indeed to introspect oneself and see as to where each one of us stand as a Jesuit today! Over the centuries the world has changed, science and technology have advanced; yet being a Jesuit remains something unique and special. It's true that the Society of Jesus has undergone many changes with regard to our formation, administration, apostolates and ministries. In doing all this have we forgotten the real goal of our Jesuit vocation? Are we truly living the original Jesuit spirit?

Since its foundation, Jesuits have exercised their ministry most particularly where the needs are the greatest and others don't dare to go and where the more universal good may be found! Jerome Nadal expressed this central aspect of our charism in the following words: ¨The Society cares for those persons who are either totally neglected or inadequately attended to. This is the basic reason for the founding of the Society, this is its power, and this is what makes us distinctive in the Church¨

Even today we have our ministries in a wide variety of areas. Every Jesuit contributes in some way or the other to the progress of the world. Our apostolates touch millions of lives across the globe in the social, educational and pastoral sectors. However, it is also true that in a way we have become too institutionalized or have lost the spirit of mobility. Institutions have become our comfort zones and care for buildings and properties disturb us more than the cries of the suffering outside ourdisturb us more than the cries of the suffering outside our compound walls. Yes, we do need institutions

04 July 2016July 2016

Introspection for a Better FutureIntrospection for a Better Future

Lloyd Sambrya SJ Article

one’s Province and welcoming others into our own, even closing down a few. Secondly, I agree that during various stages of our Formation, English is given a priority, but Jesuits ought to try and learn as many Indian languages as possible and at least one or two foreign languages. For this a few could be identified rather early in their formative years and trained accordingly. Responding to the signs of our times, I think that waiting for such an opportunity during or after the years of Philosophy is already a delayed response. Thirdly, we must not hesitate

to send ou r men especially our regents beyond our Province boundaries. This will help one to develop a g r e a t e r u n i v e r s a l feeling and cater to those most in need; it w i l l a l s o a v o i d s t a g n a t i o n a n d saturation. Fourthly, we need to train people

to respond to the challenges of our times and that calls for new formation structures and greater freedom and trust to be placed on the formees. Routine structures are necessary but we also need to dare to take risks and be different. Formees need to be exposed to the reality much more and be involved rather than be in a setup where we feel over protected and where we lack experience of dealing and relating to people outside our community boundaries which with the present structure is something that dawns upon us as soon as we embark upon our Priesthood. We ought to therefore cater to and form each one in a creative and unique way and plan for them rather than to follow a general routine for all, this is a challenge posed to our formators today! This is restructuring as I understand it.

rd(Ryan is a 3 yr Theologian at JDV)

esuits are men filled with the spirit of God, for it is through Him, with Him and in Him that we live Jand move and have our being. Hence we ought to

constantly examine our lives and evaluate it through the fruits of the Spirit. The imagery that comes to my mind is that of a coconut tree planted by the river. Being deeply rooted and towering high, it remains ever green throughout bearing fruits. A Jesuit is therefore one who can dream big and thus have a vision for the Kingdom.

What is it that helps us being Jesuits today? Formation! Formation for a Jesuit o u g h t n o t t o b e restricted merely to a few years, though it begins consciously in the Novitiate, it ends o n l y a t d e a t h . Integration must be aimed at in every stage of formation. The hallmark of formation at every stage of life is growing in interior freedom. We are called to a life of responsible freedom in order to integrate all the essential dimensions of our Jesuit life: spiritual depth, intellectual competence, community consciousness and sensitivity, emotional steadiness and rootedness in and through our ministry.

What is it in our formation structures that need a restructuring? While we are working systematically in the sphere of vocation promotion in the South Asian Assistancy, we ought to recruit men no longer with the loyalty to a particular Province but to the whole society! This calls for a genuine sharing of personnel, right from the early stages of Formation. Practically it would involve sending our formees to other Novitiates beyond

05 July 2016July 2016

Re - FormRe - Form

Ryan Rodrigues SJArticle

these complex and complicated systems of I nd i a?” Yes , i t i s possible! We witness v a r i o u s p e o p l e s , o r g a n i z a t i o n s a n d systems undergoing this p r o c e s s o f reconstruction. Two important persons I would like mention here are Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa. We too reconstruct ourselves to survive in this world and to live better and comfortable lives. We have our own selfish goals and aims. Therefore we reconstruct and act prudently according to the situations.

Breaking the body means giving oneself fully to a particular cause. It is self-sacrifice. It is giving away one's life for the benefits of others but not for one's own. It is bearing insults and persecutions to protect and promote other’s lives. In this we see Jesus Christ as the perfect example for the breaking of the body. He broke his own body for the sake of humanity. Breaking the structured body is for our betterment and self-preservation. It may involve destruction and protection of us and others too. It involves sacrificing ourselves for the protection and promotion of the life of others.

Our broken body, pain and suffering will bring physical, mental and spiritual healing to others from their sickness and injuries. We obtain these healings from our sicknesses and injuries by Christ's broken body and the excruciating suffering and pain that he endured on our behalf. Christ's broken body reminds us of God's covenant and our responsibility to break our body for the sake of others to bring them to God in order to protect and promote all forms of life on the earth.

rd(Naveen is a 3 yr Theologian at JDV)

he question “why do we need restructuring” answers all other questions such as how, where, Tand when we need restructuring! A company or

a system restructures itself by changing the elements or components which are no more useful and are leading the company or the system towards its decline and death. The goal of restructuring is to be more efficient to work for betterment, face competitors and survive in history. Restructuring therefore is necessary for the survival and betterment of any organization. It is an essential process. Charles Darwin's concept “survival of the fittest” is akin to restructuring. If human beings cannot restructure the structured body according to the signs of the times, their existence will become irrelevant.

When a human being is born, his/her mind is a tabula rasa. Slowly his/her mind is constructed with and by cultural, traditional, religious, psychological and spiritual realities that surround him/her. S/he becomes the product of his/her parents' genes and the environment. Has his/her mind been formed with true and pure ideas? No. Society has formed and shaped his/her prejudices and biased ideas. Thus his/her behaviour is determined and influenced by them. Our mind is cemented with layers of varied understandings of people, culture, traditions and religion. Therefore we deal with them with these understandings. It is very difficult to break the walls that surround them. Our ego does not allow us to see the reality as it is and to purify our mind. We are comfortable and happy with our existing systems. Though we reconstruct our mind we do not break completely the structured body/mind. Besides our ego, we are also caught up in the net of customs and traditions. The best example of it could be the caste system in India. The concept of caste system was sunk into our blood and genes so much so that we are unable to break its walls and come out of it. Therefore the question is, “Is it possible to restructure our body and mind within

06 July 2016July 2016

G. Naveen Kumar SJ

Breaking Our Structured Body Breaking Our Structured BodyArticle

that of the other; feel virtually loved by some virtual friend rather by our very own. In times of sickness and difficulty where do these 422 odd friends disappear? Why is it that only our family and close friends are by our side? Why do children of this post-modern era play video games that are unreal but do not play real games with other kids outdoors?

This technological 'Broadband' should enable us to have broader relationships but on the contrary it is narrowing down our relationship to a mere virtual one. We are attached to our cell phones and computers and forgetting fellow 'humans'. We prefer to connect with just a name on the screen we call a 'friend' rather than to a real living person. Our computer 'lives'(which should be) our 'real' life in its ‘virtual’ world; our smart phones and computers become smarter and we become dumber and individualistic humans caring more about a non-existing world rather than the actual world of real people. The use of technology today calls for a personal restructuring of our lives and the way we use technology. It calls for a restructuring of our time - the time we spend with computers and cell phones and the time we spend with people. It calls for a reorientation of our love towards people rather than mere machines.

st(Shawn is a 1 Yr Theologian at JDV)

he twentieth century has been the age of science and technology. Gadgets, the child of Ttechnological inventions, populate our lives

with conveniences. We have a gadget for talking to people who are far away, for cooling or heating our house environment, for mopping the floor, for cleaning and washing clothes…you name it and we have it. Technology, particularly in terms of computing, data acquisition and social media has in a way networked this gigantic world making “the poles meet.” The threshold

st of the 21 century has seen the advent of a new generation which is technologically advanced and needs computing power on their fingertips, giving rise to hand held computers and smart phones. The Internet or the Internet working of computers worldwide was primarily the invention which sparked off the use of computers for myriad tasks on a global scale. Classically slow 'dial-up' networks have turned into a faster 'broadband' network with optical fiber cables and faster computer servers in order to accommodate multiple user networks that transfer data at superfast rates. We have video streaming, live-TV over the Internet, social media websites like Facebook, Twitter etc. wherein we chat and link up with friends worldwide, not to forget the online banking and online shopping etc. to the extent of paying our bills and our rent too.

However good technology may seem to be, it also has its snags. We seem to be connected globally but only to a virtual person. “I have 422 friends yet I'm lonely, I speak to them every day yet none of them really know me” (author unknown). In having virtual friends we miss out on the emotion and on reality. We share a 'selfie' of a beautiful scene but with no friends actually present to share in the joy. We chat with someone and shut our doors, not noticing that it is our own neighbor next door! Technology at our fingertips makes us more individualistic.We seek our own self-interests rather than t

07 July 2016July 2016

Narrowed BroadbandNarrowed Broadband

Shawn D'Souza SJ Article

It is important to realize that growth in life arises from daring to go beyond the routine. Nowadays, we are losing the ability to sit for long hours at the table for serious personal work and study. Time does not move while we are with our books but it flies when we engage ourselves with social media! Do we realize this? How much of time do we meaningfully spend on social media? These visual images have a deep impact on our mind. We spend much of our times in day-dreaming of doing great things but no real drive is there to focus on achieving them. Gossiping and being critical of everything prevents us from mixing freely with others. Our mind gets filled with negative thoughts. In a way it keeps us away from facing the reality of ourselves. Ironically we use the media to know more about others' lives than our own. Can we change our focus to something that is productive? For, they drain our present energy and leave us with no enthusiasm to move forward in life.

It is high time that people who are preparing themselves to be leaders in the Church and in the Society need to restructure their distracted lives and bring in a structure that will help us grow deeper into a way of life that we have chosen. Are we ready to start here and now and give quality time every day for self-improvement which would also mean a life of willingness to be personally challenged? Let the word of Ann Landers ring into our ears: “Make a commitment to excellence because if we do the things others won't do today we will have the things tomorrow which others won't have.” This is possible if only our heart is big enough to believe that WE CAN.

rd(Robert is a 3 Yr Theologian at JDV)

he satisfaction of having spent a day well is a joyful reward that we give to ourselves. It is by Tliving our lives one day at a time that we live the

rest of our lives. Oprah Winfrey, a famous American television host and philanthropist says, “Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.” Do you think this is easy to put into practice? The modern generation is so distracted that our minds are like a butterfly. For instance, a beep of cell phone is enough to distract our mind and to lose the string of thoughts that would have normally gone deeper. In such a case, should we wait for a bright moment to overcome such distractions or should we learn to discipline ourselves here and now by doing first thing first? The ball is in each one's court for us to play the way we want.

It is said that a minute of planning saves ten minutes of one's time. It is something that we all need to put into practice in our daily life because the only preparation for tomorrow is the right use of today. Very often we wonder how, despite the fact that each one of us is given 24 hours a day, some people are very productive but others remain the same. It is simply because the former have made choices with a purpose to achieve their goals which they have set for themselves.

08 July 2016July 2016

Restructuring Our DayRestructuring Our Day

Robert M. SJArticle

Restructuring is...My attitude and response towards the existing

structure.- Sebastian SJ

to see that caste s y s t e m i s s t i l l p r e v a l e n t i n t h e Christian community at large and inside religious circles too. Every religious and cleric should have been f igh t ing to eradicate the caste system but when we prefer to stick on to it how can we fight against it? It goes against the very essence of Christianity where we are all children of God and hence all heirs of the same Father in heaven. We are sisters and brothers in Christ and yet we hold on dearly to the most divisive feature of our country.

Ethnicity: We proudly speak about the unity in diversity of our country. It has given us the opportunity to know and learn so much from the different cultures we interact with. When it comes to religious life something happens to us! It is better to preach than to practice. We are the first to preach on diversity but will always want to stick on to our own ethnic groups. It is clearly seen through the politics and preferences that we show in our communities.

The invitation to the restructuring process calls every Jesuit to first start restructuring from within, implying an internal transformation, understanding that we no longer belong to a particular region or province but to the Universal Society. We need to make ourselves available for mission anywhere in the world. We are "One Universal Apostolic Body for One Universal Mission." It is the real need of the hour. The language, caste and ethnicity barriers need to be addressed at the individual as well as at the province levels. I hope that the process of restructuring may enable us towards a better future and effective functioning of our mission.

rd (Sasi is a 3 yr Philosopher at JDV)

he first question would be what is LCE? - Language Caste and Ethnicity!T

Every member of the Society of Jesus acknowledges and rediscovers in practice that our Jesuit vocation is to the universal Society. It calls us for a process of collective discernment to accept at the depth level, the mandate of restructuring for greater apostolic efficiency. In spite of individual language, caste and ethnicity we are united as one family. St. Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians tells us how every part of the body compliments the other and as a whole we are one.

The first Jesuit companions belonged to different language and ethnic groups yet they became "Friends in the Lord." Among the nine companions, four were from Spain, two from France, two from Savoy and one from Portugal. Their backgrounds never came in the way of being true companions of Jesus. Today, St. Ignatius' band of friends comprises of no longer nine but thousands spread across the globe. It makes the situation a bit more complex but if we are true to our charism we will be true Friends in the Lord.

In India, to a large extent language, caste and ethnic groups play major divisive roles. Our communities are made up of people from different parts of our country. A brief look at the three will help us introspect a bit.

Language: Sometimes there is a tendency within us to cling on to our own language groups and talk to them in the vernacular rather than speak the common language. This polarizes the community and as a result, differences crop up. Then we prefer to remain with our own linguistic members and consciously or unconsciously we sideline others.

Caste: This is a ruthless vice that rips some of our communities apart. Jesus wanted us all to be one. It is sad

09 July 2016July 2016

The L C E BarrierThe L C E Barrier

Arockia Sasi SJArticle

A politician is far more in contact with the poor through his visits at the election campaign. We should be visiting our flock but we have become too confined to our compound walls that we rarely move out for pastoral visits. If every school Principal visited every student's house, what an impact it would result in!! It would truly be taking Christ to the streets.

Surprisingly there is a lot we can learn from our politicians. Our country is full of examples and I don't need to name them. We don't have to imitate their value system but we surely can learn how to work tirelessly, relentlessly and passionately for the poor. What makes them more effective is a question we must ask ourselves! We have the formation, the security, the love of the people and the confidence but we lack the passion. We are endowed with so many spiritual and personal

blessings that if we wanted to, we could shake the system from its roots. Which school does a politician go to, to get trained? I have never come across such a school! On the other hand, how many years of formation do we undergo before we enter the field and are full-fledged clerics and religious? Then why are we not

as effective as our politicians.

All it takes is for us to fall in love with Christ. When our hearts and minds are filled with this love then it will surely pour out into the world. We will not feel the need to cling to our institutions, wealth and security. Sometimes we feel the message of Christ is to open schools, build churches and baptise people but the real message of Christ is to love one another as He has loved us. If we are passionate to spread the love of Christ then no one can stop us.

rd(Lazarus is a 3 yr Philosopher at JDV)

e are the fortunate ones who have witnessed a new century dawn but are Wdescendants of the political history of the

past. Politics has its roots in the beginning of human civilization. As humans began to live in society negating nomadic life, politics became prominent. It was politics that helped humans to preserve their self-interest by resolving problems through agreements. Therefore politics may be defined as a means towards resolving conflict. In modern times politics has become the study or practice of the distribution of power. Today, politics is more concerned about power gaining instead of ensuring peace and happiness in society.

Most people think of politics as a means to acquire power, fame and wealth in life while forgetting their primary job of service to society. In the political system that we see operating today, politicians conceal their personal ambitions behind public services. They are so passionate about gaining power which blinds them from everything else. They work tirelessly, relentlessly and passionately to reach their objective. Once in authority, maintaining that power is their next goal. Everything within their power is now used to hold on to their seat, be it money, rules, force, crime or anything for that matter. It is amazing to see how politicians join hands in times of need with their sworn enemies. We Jesuits speak of collaboration but, they seem to practice it better than us Yes, we can justify it by saying that it is only for the sake of power and there is no forgiveness. That is the point. They put their differences behind to move ahead. Their goal is clear and they will do all that it takes to reach it.

10 July 2016July 2016

Lessons from PoliticiansLessons from Politicians

Lazarus SJ Article

which we are moving. Our comfort zones will not give us the lasting happiness that we are longing for. Here we need the courage to ship out of our comfort zones into deep waters where the Lord is calling. Sometimes it may call us to make some drastic changes in our lives. A little re-disciplining of our lives which are so scattered with all our modern gadgets would be helpful. Sometimes the ways of the world overpower us and we lose the depth of our spiritual life. If we find ourselves stagnating after all these efforts and don't find the thrill of life then may be some deep introspection needs to be done. It may be time to ship out into new waters where we will be able to plant ourselves and bloom. This takes some serious courage and those who have done it have found meaning in their lives.

To be courageous means taking a risk, no matter big or small. We do not know the future, but we can know the God who does. Keeping these thoughts in mind, let's move forward, as said by T. S Elliot “only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”

nd(Louis is a 2 yr Philosopher at JDV)

o Shape Up or Ship Out,” the dictionary says: is to tell someone that they must improve their Tperformance or behaviour or they will have to

leave. This is the most dreaded phrase an employee would like to hear when he/she is struggling against all odds to make a career with his/her back against the wall. A few years ago, when I was working for a BPO firm, I found myself in a similar kind of situation. Month's end is always a stressful period for any employee who is expected to meet the certain targets set before them. In such situations most managers warn their staff either to perform or to say 'I quit.' It made me put in an extra mile to meet my targets too. Moreover I was fortunate to have a manager who said, “I believe that you can do it.” His trust and never-give-up attitude inspired me and I not only went to complete my target but always entered the elite club of “wall of fame” from then on.

It is said “Courage is not the absence of fear but the acquired ability to move beyond it.” We often do not live our dreams because we are living our fears. Questions like, “What others will say? What will they think of me?” etc cloud our minds. These internal thorns in our flesh are worse than the external ones. This is because I do not know myself and my surroundings well. Every one of us have some courage inside us. This is the courage to do what one thinks is best in a situation. We see it in the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola, at the battle of Pamplona. This same “Never Giving Up” attitude is purged when he has a personal encounter with God. He went on to restructure religious life. The timid apostles, who sat shivering with fear in the upper room, discovered the courage within them to face their fear and shaped themselves to proclaim the Good News throughout the world. Unfortunately, this spirit is seen to be diminishing in many religious today. Instead of shaping up we ship ourselves out into our comfort lagoons.

Occasionally we need to assess the direction in

11 July 2016July 2016

Courage To Shape Up or Ship OutCourage To Shape Up or Ship Out

Louis Lobo SJArticle

Restructuring is..."Restructuring of the Society of Jesus calls to

have the ability to respond to the demands of the present situation". - Kuldeep Linda SJ

persons means. Our gadgets are also at par with the upper middle class. We need to scrutinize ourselves and question the need of having so much. We sometimes get stuck to our institutions which provide us with the much desired security and comfort. Moving out from some of these institutions creates so much of turmoil within us. Power and prestige have blinded us from the reality of our call.

The need of the hour is to let go of our securities, be it at the personal level or at the province level and to put our trust in the Lord. He has called us and he will sustain us. It is not an easy task but with the Lord's grace

it is not impossible either. Our only desire must be to serve the Lord in whatever way He wants us to. Once we are out of our own comfort zones to meet Christ in the world, we would be living true to our vocation. Let us experience the pain that the world is enduring lest we become

aliens to it. That's precisely why the Holy Father constantly and consistently insists that we focus on the Church which is for the poor and of the poor. He shows it through his life. Let us not forget that we are called to imitate Christ who is the good shepherd.

nd(Brijesh is a 2 yr Philosopher at JDV)

n the world outside, the financial position of a person decides his/her future. Looking at the reality, Iwe know how desperately human beings are

seeking after wealth and money and in pursuit of this many crimes are being staged every day. This has sadly crept into the religious ambience as well and hence it goes without saying that we too are looking for or are rather already enjoying 'financial comforts' which when denied, cause us trouble and discomfort.

We religious in many ways resemble common humans who are running after financial wealth and in being so; we have almost lost our religious identity. It is true that we require money for any given mission however we ought not to become attached to it. In fact nothing but money is seen in front of us, thus making it the centre of our lives.

O f t e n w e a r e o c c u p i e d w i t h t h i n g s forgetting that they are only temporal and are only a means to serve God. Though we have taken the vow of poverty we find it difficult to practice it. Our model is Jesus, who emptied himself of His 'God-ness' and was born in a carpenter's family. We have to respond positively to the call of the Father who invites us to live modest lives and thereby confront the world to do so.

Sometimes our lifestyles are in line with the rich and thus, it is not so edifying to the faithful. We talk about poverty but it does not match our way of living. Hence we need some radical changes to take place in our houses and communities. The challenge to live a lower middle class life like that of a hard earned family with slender means stares hard at us. The comforts that we enjoy in terms of food and shelter are at times beyond the poor

12 July 2016July 2016

Financial Comfort Zones …Financial Comfort Zones …

Brijesh Parmar SJ Article

Restructuring is...Restructuring is the process of renewing one's heart and mind for better life to oneself and others as well.

- Ravibhishan Ravi, SJ.

- Antony

Process of Examination... Evaluation... Evolution...

Tribhuvan SJ

forward to the frontiers. A known proverb, 'Familiarity breeds contempt' will tell us that familiarity not just breeds contempt but brings comfort and securities with the laurels that our institutions hold. Thus with time we need to move out of our comfort zones and reach out to the neglected, fulfilling the mission of St. Ignatius, when you do intellectual works, do give time for the poor and the needy and spend that free time with them serving them than being served. Take for instance Pope Francis who has set us an example of restructuring by calling us to be messengers of Mercy.

Like Pope Francis we are called to be Shepherds to the strayed. This challenges us for we have to let go of our comforts that make us feel content with what we have. Like our ancestors we need to be pathfinders and not path followers. We have to become leaders of liberty like Moses rather than being a poor shepherd, the Messiah from being a Nazarene and a necessity from being a luxury. Let our attachments to the emotionally binding pseudo loyalties not fence us from becoming what we can truly become. The times have changed so it's time we restructure our paths to suit the present, letting go of our emotional loyalties for Christ's Mission by being another Christ to those in need.

Today when we are all called to restructure ourselves, let us not create boundaries of emotional loyalties, instead lets be open to work anywhere in any situation with an open heart ready to do the mission entrusted to us like Abraham, believing in God's providence, trusting Him alone, to give us bountiful graces.

(DNC Times Editorial team)

hh! The Jesuits! These words make me feel proud of myself of being one and yet leave me Ain awe imagining if it still remains true for us

today! When we take a look at the Jesuits as a whole we see fissures being created because of our selfish desires and missions. In the wake of this hour Fr. General invites us to 'Restructure' our being and mission to fulfil what our founder had envisioned. Therefore we are called to examine our apostolic activities, missions, communities, provinces and zones to shape up according to the signs of the times. It calls for an interior transformation of our minds to fit in the society's mission as a whole.

It sounds a threat to those who are attached to certain missions or lifestyles emotionally as they have to break through their daily lives to a well balanced one. These attachments force us to invent pseudo loyalties that emotionally bind and blind us to the clarion call for restructuring. What are these emotional loyalties? They are our inner attachments to things, places, peoples, apostolates, missions etc. They convince us to believe that this call is not meant for us as we are doing well believing in ourselves than in God. When we take a look at our Founder Ignatius, we see his tremendous faith in divine providence, but we fail to do likewise. Instead we are accumulating wealth, power and prestige holding on to these emotional loyalties loyally.

How would our response to this call for restricting be? We are called to be with a open heart and mind to mingle with all, breaking all barriers, leaving all shores and venturing into new missions with zeal and enthusiasm to do something new, thus fulfilling God's will. Our structures seem to be good yet we need to change to be better and strive towards being the best in all we do. As sons of Ignatius, we all know that we are called to live for the 'Magis'. Thus 'Restructuring' is a beckoning call to be better, if we have settled with good. We are called to become aware of our obstacles and to go

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Emotional Loyalties of MissionEmotional Loyalties of Mission

DNC TimesArticle

The cemetery is full of indispensable people

- Lloyd Sambrya

The Ignatian vision 'Universal Body for Universal Mission' for great apostolic efficiency is curtailed by enumerated signs that indicate restructuring is the need of the hour; Superficiality in apostolate, academics and spirituality and indifference in relating to God, people and nature and declining laborers in the Vineyard, Difficulty in sharing personnel and financial resources ushers us to transform both our physical structures and our lives. In our context where the humanity is whipped with social exclusion, religious fundamentalism and economic favoritism, we lack quality of service and creativity in mission.

- Sch. Amalan Thainase S.J

Yes! I do feel restructuring is the need of the hour. If we look at the state of our provinces, we see that there is an increasing drop in vocations coupled with the situation of our members getting old. The short number of the members does not get along with the high demands of the society. The lack of personnel causes difficulty in responding creatively to today's socio-economic situations. St. Ignatius founded the Society of Jesus as a Universal Society and we are called to go to the frontiers. We need to show the universality not just in merging physical or geographical boundaries but in the union of minds and hearts. It is time to come together in unity by collaborating with other provinces, sharing our personnel, intellectual and material resources with each other

- Sch. Frankline SJ

With rising newer and complex challenges in the world and declining numbers in the Society in foreseeable future along with already existing large number of ministries, our call to discern the signs of times and respond to it, necessitates Jesuits who embrace the vision and mind of our founding fathers to be available for the universal mission. In this context restructuring becomes a creative alternative to respond to this fast evolving situation. Nevertheless, this is not without its own limitations and uncertainties which needs careful and critical reflections. In an Assistancy like South Asia which has diverse cultures, languages and ministries, this would mean a hard endeavor. However our assistancy has rightly begun the whole process giving a spiritual overtone to it. I wish and pray that our personal and ethnic egos move away and make space for a genuine, sincere and practical discernment to achieve this goal.

- Sch . Lumnesh SJ

14 July 2016July 2016

Opinion

RESTRUCTURING... Is it the need of the hour ?RESTRUCTURING... Is it the need of the hour ?

Restructuring is..."Love that exhilarates the trust to be united, rather being divided in rules". - Shanthraj SJ

“Restructuring is a call to reset the boundaries of one's own heart.” - Nikhil George Joseph SJ

Bringing about a drastic internal change for the better function of the society. - Anuranjan Tigga SJ

The word 'Restructuring' itself invites us to organize ourselves systematically and creatively in order to protect the Christian faith. The shortage of systematic approach, timely adaptations and closed mentalities shake the roots of the society. Restructuring is a process that takes place consciously or unconsciously in every realm of human life. As the world goes through various restructuring processes, so do we Jesuits need to be more open to restructure ourselves

- Morris Martin SJ

Restructuring is more an internal process of the external reality for the sake of harmony of hearts and minds. As humans, we are born in the midst of several structures leading either to the gain or the loss of meaning in life. When the structures lose their significance, certain restructuring is expected. This may cause certain changes in our way of thinking and living which will sow the seeds of love that may germinate and bear fruits eliminating all evil structures. The purpose of restructuring may find its solace in seeing joy and happiness on the faces of all who strive for this cause.

- Sch. Bosco SJ

Indeed, the restructuring the Society of Jesus is the need of the hour. We need to shake- up, broaden our horizon and reform some of our old perspectives with which we are deeply attached. We come from different cultural background, ethnicity and groups to join our hands for AMDG. However, several times we forget the purpose of our life in the Society of Jesus and focus on serving our own goals. There exists groupism and like mindedness in our regions, provinces and as a whole in the Society. Therefore, I feel that before we restructure the Society, we should look into ourselves and reform our negative into positive attitude.

“In regards to those persons who are established in on ecclesiastical office or in the state of matrimony, there is either no possibility of a change, or else no willingness to make a changeable election.” Sp.Ex 189. It is the right time and favorable condition to trust in the Lord as the HOUR calls us for restructuring. It is not about carrying water to the streams but carrying water to those places where there is no water. It is not comfort that makes us missionaries but our deep trust in the Lord and movement towards the fulfillment of our mission. And we know that Change of any kind is the change of every kind. What is more important at this hour of restructuring is the attitude of loyalty which runs through Ignatius' rules that would help us to work in loving loyalty to the Church and Christ.

- K. Pavan Vinay SJ

We are living in the world of change where in the secular world organizations renew and upgrade themselves frequently for better functioning. It is time the Society of Jesus restructure itself for the betterment of the universal apostolic mission in the Society. To meet the challenges of the future we need to train ourselves. Provinces must move beyond language, culture etc to be more universal. Reorganization must begin at the root which is our formation houses where formees mix at an early age, forming a broader mindset. However, at this juncture each Jesuit needs to restructure from within to accept the greater calls of Christ’s universal mission.

- Livance SJ

Restructuring is also a moment of retrospection. It may strengthen us to uphold the initial vigor and glory of Jesuits more passionately. I hope that restructuring the society will have good outcome which will bear much durable fruits. Since our society is universal we still need to break some barriers in order to give our best to the world. The world is looking forward to serenity and spirituality and we as members of the Society of Jesus have the responsibility to contribute to it.

- Akhilesh Lakra SJ

- Sch. Ashish Kujur SJ

15 July 2016July 2016

RESTRUCTURING... Is it the need of the hour ?RESTRUCTURING... Is it the need of the hour ?Opinion

fundamental, what is called as the Ignatian ideal: Union with God and Familiarity with God. Ultimately this is the foundation on which our universal vocation and mission ought to be built. Without this basic experience we will not be able to achieve restructuring and even if we did, it would be superficial.

(M. I. Raj, S. J. Jeevan Darshan vadodara - Gujarat)

(Cont'd from pg.3)

come down drastically, while in South Asia we are still well off at least, as far as the number is concerned. Those who think this way do not know the facts; definitely do not perceive the trend that is catching on us fast. The complex process of restructuring is not a matter of days or of months; in fact it might take some years. When we think ahead in terms of the future the picture is not bright at all. But, I am convinced that the question of restructuring is not restricted only to the issue of numbers. It is also demanded by the changing times and the complexity of the problems we are facing globally. It is a matter of pooling our resources (both human and material) in order to optimize the effectiveness of our mission. We normally talk about collaboration with non-Jesuits, but restructuring involves collaboration among ourselves as Jesuits.

All of us know that we have joined the Society of Jesus, a Universal Body and not just one province. And yet that word “universal” conjures up, unfortunately, images of rushing to Europe and America to salvage the dying institutions. I am confident that our Jesuit brethren in those parts will handle that issue as part of their restructuring process. The word “universal” has to be understood in terms of globalization, the trend of modern times. The challenge before the Society is to take up missions that have a global outreach and far flung implications. Even our existing institutions must be restructured to address this global mission.

Therefore, the spirit of the restructuring process is expressed excellently in the caption, “A UNIVERSAL BODY FOR A UNIVERSAL MISSION.” The focus and emphasis during the spiritual animation process has been, rightly, on the universal nature of our vocation and mission. Without denying this, I would like to suggest that we need to highlight something deeper and

16 July 2016July 2016

The collation of the existing resources and commissioning it for the appropriate and improved functioning, with the vision to strengthen and empower the Society; to fashion and envisage a vision and mission statement keeping up with the changing times, the present outlook of the Church and the Spirit of the Society.

- Patrick Martin, I BTh.

Restructuring means orientating ourselves to provide better services to the people of God. - Devadhas Vargeese, III BPh.

In my view, Restructuring is "thinking beyond" or "thinking out of the BOX".

- Joe Marsh Leo, II BPh.

Move beyond cultural and linguistic barriers and becoming one in the mission.

- Jose Pittappillil, I BTh.

Gathering together the grace for a greater sustainability.- Sudhir Ekka, II BTh.

Renewal of structures in the service of universal mission

- Showry, II BTh.

A powerful process necessary for revival like an eagle that undergoes a painful experience of shedding its feathers and reviving its new strength against death.

- Kathing , I BTh.

RestructuringRestructuring

RESTRUCTURING is...

“Daddy” whispered the little girl as her father kissed goodnight on her forehead, “Does magic really exist?”

Not willing to disappoint his little girl the father said, “Yes my dear, it does.”

“Then surely mercy must also exist,” answered the little girl! Her father thought for a while and said, “Whatever you wish my dear will always exist!”

“Wherever there is hope there is magic and when there is magic there is mercy.”

“And what about this God of mercy does he exist too?”

“Umm yes off course he does.”

“Wouldn't He then, be more merciful than mercy herself and wouldn't he let us into his kingdom if we ask Him?

Her daddy only tried to smile not willing to let his little daughter lose hope.

“Daddy, let us pray that this God of mercy really exists!”

With this short prayer both the father and her tiny toddler went to sleep hoping for a better tomorrow.

Up in the heavens, mercy observed this conversation and tears rolled down silently from her cheeks.

The God of mercy asked her tenderly, “My dear child, why do you cry?”

“How I wish I existed for all of them.”

“But you still do, and you always have and always will… except for that many today don't wish for you anymore they desire justice more than you!”

The God of mercy sighed, “But Alas! They never understood 'my justice.'”

“Where is your justice?”

“He is…in your reflection.”

( Sr. Seenia is a former student of JDV)

nce upon a time in a kingdom far away flowing with milk and honey there lived a King whom Othey all called God. Nobody really knew His

real name and no one dared to ask him out of awe they had for Him. He lived with His children among whom Love, Joy, Peace, Hope, Mercy and Wisdom were His favorite ones. The people of His kingdom used to address Him with His children's name attached as God of love; and at times God of Peace and at other times God of Mercy and so on. All His children had magical powers.

His child Love could magically transform anyone into anything.

Joy could magically cheer up any down hearted.

Peace could magically provide serenity to all.

Hope could make any impossible thing possible.

Wisdom could magically solve the most difficult problems.

Mercy, Well! Her magic was different. She was the secret door to the kingdom. She would let anyone into the kingdom, especially animals. She always had compassion on them and would let them into the kingdom if they asked her for, she never asked any reason, to be let in, this she did without the knowledge of the guards, anyone wanting to enter, all they had to do was call out to her.

But this she did by magically converting these animals into humane beings for its relatively easier for an animal to evolve into humans but to transform them into humane beings needed magic.

“That's enough for today... more of it tomorrow,” said the father to his little girl as they lay on the torn rug in the refugee tent trying to sleep. Thus he brought to an abrupt end another one of his bedtime stories which he used in order to make his littletoddler forget the cruel reality of camp life on the borders of Syria. His stories put her to sleep.

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Re-understanding Our GodRe-understanding Our God

Sr. Seenia

The water we drink today has likely been around the earth in one form or another from hundreds of millions of years ago. Freshwater makes up a very small fraction of all water on the planet. While nearly 70 percent of the world is covered by water, only 2.5 percent of it is fresh. The rest is saline found in oceans and seas. Out of 2.5 percent, just 1 percent of our freshwater is easily accessible, with much of it trapped in glaciers and snowfields. In reality, only 0.007 percent of the planet's water is available to feed its 6.8 billion people. According to the United Nations, water use has grown at more than twice the rate of population increase in the last century. By 2025, an estimated 1.8 billion people will live in areas plagued by water scarcity, with two-thirds of the world's population living in water-

stressed regions as a result of use, growth, and climate change. The challenge we face now is how to effectively conserve, manage, and distribute the water we have. Around 330 million people were affected due to severe drought in India this year, around 10 states faced water crisis this summer.

Questions to Ponder :

# Are we not depriving someone else who is need, when we guiltlessly waste water?

# Do we have the responsibility to conserve water in order to share with others when they are in need?

shared by other religious congregations, the unique contribution of the Society of Jesus to the Church and to the world, over the years cannot be undermined. The experience, inspiration and committed response of St. Ignatius and his First Companions resulting in the founding of the Society of Jesus, had a lasting impact on the history of the Church and the world. It had a mechanism of sustaining itself in spite of the changing circumstances of the Society and the universal Church. However, the time has come when people will openly question the relevance of the very existence of the Society if we do not have the courage to place ourselves in that self-sustaining mechanism by way of restructuring from within.

We know from history that particular Religious Communities arose in response to dramatic social change in the Church and in the larger cultural and

political arena. The first transition happened as the Roman Empire fell in the West and when feudal Europe was beginning to take shape. At the same time the rift between western and eastern Christianity had begun to emerge. The second transition occurred as feudal Europe was giving

way to medieval urbanization and as the Church was gathering all of Europe into the unity of Christendom. The third transition took place at the start of the modern period of Western civilization as the Church underwent the shock of the Reformation. The fourth transition resulted from a direct attack of society on the church as a whole and on religious life in particular.

(Cont'd on next pg. 21 )

he word “Restructuring” apparently generates an unsolicited apprehension in the minds of Tmany as it reaches the sensory perceptions of

right thinking people who look forward to something radically new and radically different from the present state of affairs. The sentiment is akin to the apprehension Fr. Aloysius Pierris (Give Vatican II a Chance, 2010) expressed about reducing the renewal of the Church envisaged by St. John XXIII into a mere reform. The limitations of language notwithstanding, if one is given to understand that it is the beginning of a long process intended to bring about the desired renewal from within, it readily paves way for optimism and a desire for a new course of action.

Being drawn into the process of this restructuring I have tangibly experienced the elements of such a renewal gradually taking shape. I am also positively en thused abou t t he prospect of youngsters taking up the matter seriously and stating boldly what is in their mind. Glancing through the topics proposed, I was very much encouraged to s e e t h a t a c o r r e c t diagnosis will eventually lead us to a proper treatment and a definite cure. Though I was tempted to touch upon every one of the issues, I have resigned to restructure myself to one of the topics: “Are we living the original Jesuit Spirit.”

What is this Original Jesuit Spirit? Is it to be understood in the same way as we understand the Original Spirit of other religious congregations? Or is it different? While there are many common elements

20 JULY 2016JULY 2016

ArticleFr. Sunny George SJ

Rediscovering the Original Jesuit SpiritRediscovering the Original Jesuit Spirit

enough to be friends in the Lord. It was the vision of the mission that kept them on the move and yet sustained them in creative fidelity. If our vision is blurred and our efforts are blunt then we would have to face the pain of stagnation. If our reading of the signs of the times leads us only to be in solidarity with the way of the world rather than transforming it to the Way of the Lord, our very existence as Jesuits will become redundant and irrelevant.

Restructuring our hearts a n d m i n d s would entail a rediscovery of the hearts and minds of the Founding Fathers of the Society. The deliberations of the First Fathers as enshrined in the Formula of the Institute keep reminding us of their concerns on universality, availability, mobility and promptness. Universality certainly does not belittle our rootedness but rather, it reinforces our need to be rooted in order to be apostolically effective in the universal mission. Similarly, availability does not ask us to shun our responsibilities, instead, it makes us free from all inordinate attachments. Mobility guards us against stagnation and disintegration; it regenerates new life, new vision and new zeal. Likewise, promptness always keeps us ahead of time and keeps us ready to face ever newer challenges.

May the young minds and the tender hearts infuse new life into the process of restructuring from within! Persistent probing, relentless knocking, fearless critiquing, sincere contributions, flint-like commitment and Ignatian surrender can take us a long way towards achieving the goal that we have set.

(Fr. Sunny is the PCF of Calcutta Province)

Therefore, today we can legitimately ask a question: 'Would another shift in the dominant image of religious life happen if major changes in the society and the Church should come to pass?' Is there a change taking place within the society and the Church? Are we able to feel the stirring within the larger society? Within the Church? Within Religious life? Is there a need for a change in the way we think and the way we live our Religious Life today?

The external manifestation of restructuring, which needs to be treated as tip of the ice-berg, has much to do with restructuring the hearts and minds. It has much to do with our mind-sets, outlooks or perspectives expressed through spontaneous reactions or meditated responses.

The First Christians were free persons. Animated by the Holy Spirit, they were united in heart and mind and impelled to proclaim the Good News. Animated by the same Spirit, the founding members of the Society of Jesus were one in heart and in mind. They were free persons available to be sent anywhere, at anytime and for any mission. They had no geographical boundaries, linguistic barriers and institutional affiliations. They were neither weighed down by cultural baggage nor crippled by ambitions for power and position. Their attachments and affinities did not hinder their freedom of movement or choice of ministries. They were creative and innovative in their approach to the missions. And they reaped rich dividends.

The Original Jesuit Spirit is well manifested in the statement, “To serve the Lord under the banner of the Cross without counting the cost.” They were exemplary counter witnesses to the way of the world while at the same time; they engaged themselves deeply in the lives of the people who came from all walks of life. They were daring enough to journey to the frontiers and caring

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03 AUGUST 2015AUGUST 2015