1st Meeting of Young Researchers in Spirituality

The Secretariat for the Service of Faith organized a seminar for young researchers on Ignatian spirituality. The meeting took place in Rome, at the General Curia, from June 14-17. The main objective was to create community among the scholars, to reflect on questions related to their areas of research and to seek how best to serve society and the Society through the intellectual apostolate and in accordance with the Universal Apostolic Preferences.

The sessions were inaugurated by Fr. Mark Ravizza SJ, who highlighted the relevance of research in order to be able to respond in a well-founded way, going beyond superficial analyses, to the needs of today’s society. He also encouraged further deepening of the knowledge of the sources of Ignatian spirituality and the search for creative ways to improve the transfer between the academic environment and the universal Society. In order that all those who wish to approach or know more about the rich Ignatian spiritual patrimony can do so and receive quality formation. James Hanvey SJ, which allowed them to deepen their knowledge of their subjects and provided them with some hermeneutical keys.

General, who, among other things, explained the importance of the intellectual apostolate and how it is an extraordinary platform for the development of the Universal Apostolic Preferences. This was followed by various presentations. Christopher Staab SJ, dealt with the Spiritual Diary of Ignatius of Loyola as a source of inspiration to live deeply the process of the doctoral thesis. Fr. Pascual Cebollada SJ and Monica Borsari explained the phases of a canonization process and, in particular, the work of the historical commission. The second day concluded with the presentation of the latest book by Camilla Russell, entitled “Being a Jesuit in Renaissance Italy”. The author, after explaining the characteristics and structure of the Archivium Romanum Societatis Iesu (ARSI), explained how the historical and spiritual legacy of the Society of Jesus can be reconstructed from the study of primary sources.

On the last day, a guided visit to ARSI, prepared by Fr. Festo Mkenda SJ, took place. On this occasion, special emphasis was placed on the existing documentation regarding the presence of the Society of Jesus in Africa and how it remains an area of research to be developed.

Each day concluded with a mass. During the closing session, the conversation was marked by enthusiasm and hope. All agreed that it was a meeting that was the beginning of the building of a community of young Ignatian researchers. The participants expressed their gratitude, hoping that it will be the first of many IRS.

Article originally published on the website of the Secretariat for the Service of Faith https://dimensions.faith/ignatian-research-seminar-en-roma-article-in-spanish/