Friends in the LORD

Pavel Bačo SJ

Iwas born in the town of Slavičín in the Czech Republic in 1974. I joined the Jesuits of the Czech Province in 1992. Since my philosophical and theological studies in Munich, Dublin and London (Heythrop College), I have worked mainly as a chaplain or parish priest in the universities and Jesuit parishes of Olomouc, Brno and Prague for the last two decades.

In the summer of 2020 my Jesuit superior in the Czech Republic appointed me to be the novice master of the joint Czech and Slovak novitiate in Ružomberok (Slovakia). He sent me, together with our only candidate, to the Jesuit North West Europe novitiate in Birmingham so that I could have some formation alongside an experienced novice master and to offer our novice a bigger novitiate experience.

In 2021 the Czech and Slovak Jesuit superiors decided that they would keep sending their candidates to Birmingham in the future, and I became the assistant to the British novice master. For two years I lived in the same Jesuit community in Birmingham with Fr Kensy Joseph SJ. I got to know about his work in the University of Birmingham chaplaincy, while he and the British Jesuit Provincial got to know about me! This exchange resulted in my being appointed as part-time Roman Catholic chaplain to the university in autumn 2022.

Looking back over the past events and at the present opportunities and challenges in the chaplaincy, I often feel moved with gratitude for the amazing things that have happened and keep happening – blessings given by God. The words of St John Henry Newman come to mind: ‘It would be well if we were in the habit of looking at all we have as God’s gift, undeservedly given, and day by day continued to us’.

Wilin Buitrago Arias SJ

Friends in the Lord’: I have discovered this Ignatian adage to be a very powerful spiritual and pastoral tool in my life as a Jesuit. But to be really honest, I never expected to find myself in a place where this has come to life for me in such a vivid way as in the British Province. I owe a great deal to God for bringing me here as well as to my fellow Jesuits for embracing me and encouraging me to live a more selfless and genuine life.

Currently, I am finishing my DPhil in Politics at the University of Oxford. My work involves institutional development in deeply divided societies following conflict, party politics and transitions of insurgencies into political movements.

This has allowed me to collaborate at Oxford as a tutor in politics in Latin America and comparative government, but also to connect with very diverse people and to take part in the apostolic presence of the Jesuits through Campion Hall. I never imagined that such an apostolic platform existed and I am convinced, because I have seen it and heard it from many, that the Jesuit presence here is indeed articulating something different and valuable to the world.

As part of the apostolic richness of the Jesuit activity in Oxford, I collaborate with Fr Frank Turner SJ as chaplain for the Spanish-speaking community. I also help in some parishes in the surrounding areas when there is an opportunity to do so.

In the spring 2022 edition of Jesuits & Friends, I read a piece about St Beuno’s hosting retreats for young people. The writer mentioned that young people who arrive curious about Ignatian Spirituality left with a desire for ‘more’, a longing for a real connection with themselves and with God. I think this is true of my encounter with the British Province at a personal level, and certainly I have seen it also to be true of Campion Hall for many visitors, researchers and friends.

Jovito D’Souza SJ

Iam a member of the Goa Jesuit Province, now working in the British Province. In 2020, just as Covid-19 caught the world off guard, I was missioned to St Anselm’s Catholic Church, Southall. With lockdowns and delays in paperwork, I finally made my way to London in April 2021, assuming the role of parish priest the following month. All of this was possible because of the good will of the two Provincials.

Life always throws a number of challenges before us and I had a choice to allow it to shape or break me. From the day I arrived in this parish until now, I have thoroughly enjoyed my pastoral ministry, and have no regrets. It is my desire to see that the four Universal Apostolic Preferences are lived out in this parish and thus, as a team of Jesuits and lay collaborators, we leave no stone unturned in this endeavour. I would also like to add that we are aiming to implement the province proposal on carbon footprints; it will take some time, but we will make progress slowly but surely.

The way things are done in Britain is different to Goa, however, our ‘way of proceeding’ as Jesuits is always the same. Hence, I have felt welcome, supported and challenged to give more of myself in the mission and life of the community. Each one’s contribution toward the mission, whether big or small, is valued and appreciated.

Ladislav Šulík SJ

The first time I was sent to Britain from Slovakia was during the part of my formation towards priesthood called ‘regency’. I am grateful that I could do apostolic immersion in another country at such an early stage in my Jesuit life. It helped me to open up to a different way of thinking and being in another culture.

I worked in chaplaincy at Wimbledon College, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I had the opportunity to teach as well. Those three years gave me a very positive experience of community life and taught me to see God always within my context – not as separate to, but very much involved in, the ordinary way of living. That outlook reshaped my prayer life and made God more personal to me.

I came back in the summer of 2020 to join the team at the new London Jesuit Centre as chaplain, a role that required a lot of flexibility during the pandemic. I began teaching courses online to meet people and took on the coordination of the Ignatian Year in 2021-22. I am slowly seeking ways to engage both LJC staff and the whole staff at Mount Street, as well as course participants and guests – whether they are seeking a vocation, a spiritual home or are in need of support. These stories are often hidden and known to God only.

I am excited about this new apostolic project. I feel that I am getting an opportunity to experience the Jesuit flexibility in ever-changing times, responding to them in hope. We are working towards a future in which the Province continues to draw people to the Lord’s consoling presence.