Called to Walk Together

In this newsletter we continue our JISA Discernment Series with Pope Francis’ general audience on discernment where he emphasizes that once a good decision has been made, there is a need for vigilance to avoid falling into disquiet through the influences of the bad spirit.

October heralds an epochal moment in the Church, as the first of the two XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, commences in Rome. Ian Cribb SJ, who is attending the Synod, writes that we are invited to become a discerning Church. 

As we look towards the future, let us pray for those participating in the Synod, and for us all, walking together united in the Ignatian ways of deep listening, conversation in the Spirit and discernment.

Pope Francis on Discernment – The Vigilance

“We have done discernment, consolation, and desolation; we have chosen something … everything is going well… Many times we lose, many times we are defeated in battles, because of this lack of vigilance.”

A Reflection on Vigilance

"Drawing on the spirituality of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Pope Francis urges similar caution about the importance of vigilance during the process of discernment, lest the dark side of ourselves remains hidden, and our attention to the reality of any situation becomes diminished.” JISA Campion Spiritual Director Maureen Atkins reflects on Pope Francis’ piece on Vigilance.

Companions in the Ministry of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises

Iain Radvan SJ and Ann-Maree O'Beirne RSM reflect on the recent 2023 Companions Gathering in Adelaide during September. Companions is a professional association in Australasia of Givers of the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius. Deeper than the formal structure, Companions is first and foremost a community, bound together through a commitment to ministry and to the support of each other.