Experience Advent with the Network ?

The Jesuit network prepares Advent with various proposals to live it all together. The diversity of the networks and institutions of this large global network is reflected in the different ways of living Advent. It is a great opportunity to get to know more about other agents and people in the network, and to join them more closely in this time of preparation.

Here are some suggestions for living Advent. If you know more initiatives of the Jesuit network, share them in comments!

The Office of Ignatian Spirituality invites young adults (between 20’s and 30’s) to participate in its reflections, in audio format, on a theme or reading for each of the four weeks of Advent. To do so, please register at this link, and you will receive one each week along with a short prayer.

For another year, the Ignatian Solidarity Network proposes the challenge of simplicity in Advent. We are invited to celebrate this time of hope being aware that, with more simplicity, we can prepare ourselves better.

Educate Magis is once again taking up the Connected Classrooms, an activity to involve all students in the global network. This December 10th, on the occasion of the Ignatian Year, there will be two connections, one at 9am GMT and one at 4pm GMT. Find out more here, and be part of it!

Jesuit Refugee Service USA asks us to take time each day this Advent to walk in solidarity with refugees and displaced people in moments of prayer and reflection. It is an opportunity to see Christ in all those who suffer and to empathise with others. Check out their advent calendar here.

On 16 and 21 December, all Ignatian educators are invited to pray together in preparation for Christmas. Join Educate Magis in “We Wait with Joy and Hope” a guided global recollection for Advent 2021.

The Association of Jesuit Universities in the United States proposes a common pilgrimage. If you sign up at this link you will receive a daily email reflection throughout Advent to help you encounter God in stories, film and art.

What do we need to take with us to Bethlehem? The Office of Ignatian Spirituality proposes short daily reflections on Scripture for living Advent. Discover each day how you can prepare for Christmas.

The Ignatian Young Adult Ministry (U.S. Province) makes available weekly audio reflections during Advent. All are welcome to reflect and pray with us by registering at this link. For young adults (20s and 30s) there are also weekly small group conversations organised online. Materials for prayer and reflection will be sent in advance, along with questions to guide your small group conversation.

The Arrupe Centre of Valencia in Spain proposes for this Advent and Christmas to focus on care as an experience received and offered (in Spanish). This is a favourable time to allow ourselves to be cared for by this God of ours with compassionate hearts and to illuminate new forms of care that fill other lives with hope and light. This proposal includes resources for prayer throughout the weeks of Advent.

Loyola Press offers different resources for Advent: articles to deepen its meaning, prayers, activities to do with children or proposals for parishes, among others. You can consult them here.

Jesuits in Britain publishes every day of December on its social networks a suggestion on how to help others and contribute to our common home.

Fancy some music? The OIS has prepared a playlist to make it easier to enter more easily into prayer or to listen to it in the background and prepare for Advent.

These are just some of the proposals of the Jesuit network. If you know more, don’t hesitate to share them with us! Let’s celebrate this advent and preparation as part of this Ignatian network.