SJES ROME

The Arrupe Migrant Centre at the Jesuit Church of Saint Joseph has also opened its doors to migrants looking for a place to stay after being refused access to the collective shelters. Mattresses are piled out on the ground and offices have been turned into bedrooms to provide a temporary sanctuary to those in need.

The Season of Creation was also marked by the advocacy efforts of many communities, especially in East Africa, where the faithful struggle against the injustice caused by fossil fuels. As part of the Global Day of Action for the Non-Proliferation of Fossil Fuels Treaty on September 21, numerous events were held, such as this one in Abuja, Nigeria. An “inspirational event”, in which young people, children and adults participated.

In early October, delegates from various provinces and regions convened at Kampoeng Media in Yogyakarta for a transformative four-day conference focused on the Jesuit social apostolate. Keynote speaker Julie Edwards set the stage by discussing the evolution of social ministry within the Society of Jesus, referencing the establishment of Global Ignatian Advocacy Networks since a pivotal 2008 meeting in Spain. Fr. Benny Juliawan explored the implications of the digital economy, highlighting both the opportunities and precarious conditions it creates for workers, while JCAP President Fr. Jun Viray emphasized the need for greater collaboration among ministries and external organizations. The conference concluded with participants engaging in reflective exercises, yielding powerful metaphors—such as bridges and gardens—to represent their collective vision for the future of JCAP’s social ministries.

The "Slow the Flow Project" in Eugowra, Australia, led by ISMAPNG and Jesuit Care for Our Common Home, uses regenerative farming and natural methods like leaky weirs to prevent floods. Integrating Indigenous wisdom, it restores landscapes while building community resilience, aligning with broader Laudato Si' goals on environmental and social justice.

Pope Francis reminds us that "God walks with His people"—a powerful theme for this year's World Migrants Day. We are called to walk in solidarity with those on the move, sharing their hopes, challenges, and courage. Let us not turn away!

The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (FFNPT) is an initiative that strives for an international agreement to phase out fossil fuel while ensuring a just global transition for workers, communities, and countries.

Xavier Solai (an extension of Xavier Research Foundation) was established in 2020 by the Jesuits of St. Xavier's College, Palayamkottai, Tamil Nadu, India to promote environmental protection, organic farming and sustainable agriculture practices among the students of St. Xavier and the general public. It is an agro, eco, biodiversity park spread over 25 acres in the college’s property at the Irudayakulam, V.K. Puram, Ambasamudram Taluk, Tirunelveli district. It is a response to Pope Francis’ call through Laudato Si to protect our common home.

We're sharing here the Report presented by the Environmental Sciences for Social Change (ESSC) led by our dear colleague Pedro Walpole, who has been the leader of Ecojesuit since 2017. We would especially like to thank Pedro and the ESSC Team for the enormous and extraordinary work done in the animation of the GIAN of Integral Ecology during the last seven years; the report is an impressive display of his creativity and, above all, of their passion for the sacred gift of Creation. As Pedro himself expresses in the presentation of the report, we pray that: “may these times and events that we have all shared be a source of great consolation, courage and hope; Jesus walks with us!” We count on your collaboration and participation in GIAN - Integral Ecology.

This continuation of last week’s article, “Unity in Diversity -– God’s Way of Farming” highlights the Jesuit Kasisi Agricultural Training Centre’s (KATC) active involvement in the Seed and Knowledge Initiative (SKI), focusing on agroecology’s pillars of social justice, environmental protection, and economic viability. It explains the SKI Community of Practice, and its promotion of Indigenous seeds, biofertilizers, and local markets, while also addressing the development of responsible governance structures. As SKI steadily grows into a movement led by farmers, it aims to strengthen sustainability, foster collaboration, and drive positive change through local initiatives and youth leadership.