Peter Faber Ignatius’ Pupil Master of the Exercises Christ’S Broom

jesuits in East Asia and Oceania

November 2006

Peter Faber Ignatius’ pupil Master of the Exercises Christ’s broom

Ignatius today Offering Art for shelter Spirituality for Christ young people East Timor Father in crisis and son p4 – 5 p8 – 9 p10 – 11 Jesuits in East Asia and Oceania Assistancy snapshots

WORLD YOUTH DAY

The Major Superiors support the Jesuit Magis Programme for World Youth Day. Formation programmes will be held throughout the Assistancy. Jenni Winters, WELL MET ON SANCIAN who is helping coordinate the programme, has been visiting the region. jesuits In July the Major Superiors of the Assistancy in East Asia and Oceania met on Macao. They celebrated the Jubilee year by visiting the island of Sancian where Editor Andrew Hamilton SJ Francis Xavier died. They commended Graphic design Maggie Power programmes that change bring together people engaged in similar ministries in our Jesuits in East Asia and Oceania is region. This universal outlook led them published two times a year by: to invite the Moderator of the African Jesuit Communications Australia Assistancy to attend the next meeting. 300 Victoria Street, Richmond, VIC 3121 Australia ACN 004 238 948 in association with: Jesuit Conference of East Asia, PO Box 1264, Quezon City, Philippines © Jesuit Communications 2006

To order copies of Jesuits in East Asia and Oceania contact Jesuit Communications HE ARTWORK IN THIS EDITION T Australia , PO Box 553, Richmond, VIC 3121 Australia The cover image of Peter Faber is by Danang Bramasti, an Indonesian scholastic. Unsolicited articles, photographs and letters are welcome. Requests for His work is featured on pages ten and permission to reprint material from the INTERNATIONAL JESUIT GAMES eleven. The image above is one of seven magazine should be addressed to: banners designed for the Anniversary On St Ignatius day, the Scholastics and celebrations in Britain by Sr Anthony The Editor, Jesuits in East Asia and Oceania, PO Box 553, Richmond, VIC 3121 Australia Brothers’ Circle of the Assistancy organized Wilson, SND, from Liverpool, England. Tel: +613 9427 7311 the annual Sports Fest. More than The head of Faber is from the icon of Fax: +613 9428 4450 150 Scholastics, Novices and pre-novices the three Companions (left). Email: [email protected] participated in this gathering. The medal tally is not available, but all were declared This magazine is copyright. Apart from fair dealing for the purpose of private study, winners in the Lord. research, criticism or review as permitted PETER FABER, under the Copyright Act, no part may PATRON be reproduced by any person without written permission. Enquiries to be addressed In his anniversary to the publisher. Responsibility for editorial year, many content is accepted by: The Publisher, new Jesuit enterprises have been dedicated Jesuit Communications, 300 Victoria St, to Peter Faber. Among the most recent Richmond, VIC 3121 Australia. in the Assistancy are fittingly two spirituality Printed on Impress Satin using wood fibre from centres, one in Kwangiu, and the other sustainable forests. Elementally chlorine free. in Brisbane.

2 Jesuits in East Asia and Oceania I want to be Christ’s broom

Today we see Blessed Peter Faber as the quiet Jesuit. Ignatius was the pilgrim leader, Francis Xavier the traveller, and Peter Faber was the spiritual guide. But for Peter, being quiet did not mean spending his time at home. His home was the journey and he carried heavy responsibilities.

He was senior among the of others. Like so many of that if we want to establish early Jesuits. He tutored the early Jesuits, hearing our Catholic identity, we Ignatius in whom he found confession was central in his must first brush out our spiritual ministry. own lives and our Church. a spiritual guide. With Then we must engage in a Ignatius away, he led the Faber was used to brooms friendly way, even with our others on their journey to made of bunches of twigs. religious enemies. He said, Venice. He was Ignatius’ They were cheap and short ‘We can encourage goodwill natural choice to go to lived. He too exhausted by speaking familiarly Parma as the Pope’s himself in his labours, with them about matters particularly in the unpopular we both share in common representative, and he and apparently fruitless work and avoiding any debate in travelled tirelessly on the in Reformation Germany. which one side tries to put difficult German mission, But he kept on working down the other.’ Perhaps in Spain and in Portugal. uncomplaining. Ministries this, too, should be reflected He was as at home at of reconciliation like that in the Jesuit attitude to art. court as he was teaching, in East Timor, so movingly We f ind God there. described here, make the preaching and hearing same demands today. The broom, which lies to confessions. He died before hand for anyone who wants he could take up his mission But brooms appealed to use it, also suggested to the Council of Trent. most strongly to Peter that we should not fear our If he had lived, might Faber because they are so world. This gift of trust of Peter Faber, rather than ordinary. They pick up the God and other people did desire of the Exercises to not come easily to a man James Lainez, have been follow Christ in being poor, who had suffered much from chosen to succeed Ignatius unnoticed and serviceable. scruples. For Faber, each as Jesuit General? He wanted to be used as person, each place, had its a humble tool, and prayed angel. Even brooms were far Faber is rightly identified that the Society would also more than they seemed. with the Spiritual Exercises. Ignatius thought that of all the companions, he had understood them best. ‘ In our journeys, we ought to throw aside all our Giving them was central to his ministry. His gift fear and timidity. The spirit will bear up our bodies.’ for subtle and delicate discernment can be seen on every page of the Memoriale. He is an ideal patron of be serviceable in cleansing retreat centres and of houses the Church in which it of formation. served. This lies at the heart of the Jesuit ministry to Faber has told us how young people. he would like to be called. He wanted ‘to begin to be Lack of ego was Peter and to be called Christ’s Faber’s gift to the early broom’. This unfamiliar Society. It also challenges us image of Peter Faber graces today. In his day, Catholics our cover. He thought that and Protestants were the broom represented the engaged in increasingly contrast between his own shrill and self-centred dusty state of soul and his debate. Winning was mission to cleanse the souls everything. Faber insisted

3 Jesuits in East Asia and Oceania How Ignatius speaks to young people today

The Society of Jesus came out of the Spiritual the standards by which they Exercises given by St Ignatius to young people can evaluate their lives each outside their own lands. What Peter Faber had day, and keep balance in a learned from Ignatius, he wanted to pass on to very competitive world.’ young people. In his travels, he left instructions for this ministry. Truong Thanh Tam, Young people respond very who is preparing for social well to sharing on the Gospels Throughout our region Jesuits are giving ministry in Vietnam, says that and to gatherings at Advent a high priority to meet the spiritual needs in his country, ‘the important and Lent when they can play, of young people. Here, we invite younger questions young people ask pray and visit the poor, sick Jesuits whose studies have also taken them are about human values and and old. In addition, Tam, out of their own countries to reflect on the not just religious values. They says, ‘We also offer eight- spiritual needs of young people, and how the want to know how to live and day silent Exercises to young great themes of Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises what path of life to follow.’ people, which they love. can serve them. They hear points four times For Tam, Ignatian a day, and join in Mass. The spirituality is especially young people share their life valuable because it is together each day, and also practical. ‘It helps young sing Taizé hymns together. people make an election, Once during the Exercises, to find their goal in life. It they gather in pairs to speak enables young people to find deeply about their lives.’

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May your tutor be the greatest of teachers and the master printer, the Holy Spirit.

Cho In-young Phongphand Phoktavi Ardi Handoyseno, Kim Youn-su, says that in Korea, ‘young (Jub) who previously worked in who previously worked people need space and time worked for many years campus ministry, believes with street children in because their lives that are with JRS, and will return that the greatest need of Seoul, is now in Australia. full of busyness, study and to the Cambodian region. Indonesian young people He is familiar with the high expectation’. Before He has seen the ‘search is to find integration in lives of students who, like studying theology, In- of young people to be their lives. They need to Ignatius and Faber, study young worked in Cambodia. complete and to find a ‘bring together all their and live in foreign lands. He finds that spiritual harmony and direction in experience, to find a conversation, which Ignatius their lives. The ground purpose in life, and to be He finds that the lives of encouraged so strongly, is offered by advertising and companions with other Korean students in the very important. ‘Young the emphasis on always people’. The Spiritual West are ‘very changeable people easily bring out and choosing things is soft, and Exercises speak to them, and focused on enjoyment. share their relationships and does not offer a firm place because ‘they underline the They live outside themselves difficulties with others.’ to stand on. They are pulled goodness and love of God, and cannot see the inner in different directions.’ no matter what problems world. They struggle with They find Ignatius’ emphasis they face. They challenge language and relationships. in the Spiritual Exercises on Ignatian Spirituality helps them to think about their Ignatian Spirituality offers the love of God, particularly them to discern their way. personal vocation, and to a way of discerning between in their relationships, The meditations on the realise that life is more good and bad spirits that especially helpful. Some Two Standards and the than going with the flow, speaks to young people.’ people, too, ‘benefit from Contemplation for love and that God invites us to quiet times and nature and help them come to ‘real something great.’ Youn-su has found stillness. They start by being discernment, and to live that ‘to focus in retreats bored, but then find a deep life fully and rigorously, Ardi finds that young on contemplation on the sense of God that really not just doing more things’. people respond well to Gospel doesn’t work so takes them by surprise.’ He says that they learn to many kinds of programmes. well. But young people take pursue a goal and to see ‘Retreats challenge them to very easily to the Examen, When working with their life as a whole. reflect on creation and the It gives a good focus on young people, says In- goodness of God, and to meeting God, as God is young, ‘we don’t make In Jub’s experience, ‘to listen seriously to God and experienced in neighbours detailed programmes, but join with young people on to the call to be disciples. and in relationships.’ He try to bring them into their life’s journey for some We also invite them to has also found that short a quiet time and space. months is better than taking think about the social programmes seem to work We don’t give input, but them away for retreats. They aspects of life. The Live-in better than longer-term allow them to explore can reflect on their lives in programme is very effective. programmes. their own issues, especially terms of the first Principle They live for a time in poor their relationship to God. and Foundation.’ rural communities. It is like Sometimes we include some a retreat, as they reflect on Zen meditation.’ their experience.’

5 Jesuits in East Asia and Oceania Tending to Christ’s garden

1 First sight of the garden Even at the age of seven, I felt some special movements of devotion. From that time on, the Lord and spouse of my soul willed to take possession of the depths of my soul. At the age of about ten, I felt a desire to study, but being a shepherd, I could not get any rest but used to weep with longing to go to school.

Working in the garden 3 I found much devotion in offering myself to Christ as his household broom for sweeping out our spiritual dwellings.

I thought of all the things that afflict people: their diseases, their sins and their obduracy, their moods of despair and their tears, disasters, famines, plagues, and other trials; and as a remedy for all these, I called to mind Christ the Redeemer, Christ the Consoler the merciful and compassionate 2 one who is our Lord and God. At the garden gate That year Inigo entered the same Collège Sainte- Barbe and lodged in the 4 The vegetable garden same room as ourselves. We all know that turnips and onions grow downward, concealing their bulk He became my master in beneath the earth. We must imitate this in the beginning if we are to be spiritual things. In the end truly rooted in Christ. He became obedient unto death on a cross, after we became one in desire and will, and one in a firm first humbling himself even to the flesh with which he made himself one. resolve to take up that life we lead today.

6 Jesuits in East Asia and Oceania We should call on the angels of each place and give thanks for the blessings given it: all that grows there, the rivers, and so on.

Looking to the hills 7 I offered the Mass of the Holy Cross for this, desiring too that I may deserve to be and to be called Christ’s glorious broom – if I have first fulfilled the function of a lowly broom that I am unworthy of.

Watering the garden If the spring of tears is exhausted by too long a drought, pray our Lord that he will deign to rain them in your souls; and in the meantime 6 do not forget to dig in the earth until you find water there.

On the Feast of All Souls, I felt a spiritual movement which moved me to compassion for the dead with a great sharing of tears. I thought of my mother, my father and my relatives and my deceased brethren in the Society.

The heart of gardening We need to win the Protestants’ goodwill, so that they will love us, and offer us a good place in their hearts. This can be done by speaking familiarly with them about matters we both share in common and avoiding any debate in which one side tries to put down the other. We must establish communion in what unites us 5 before doing so in what might arouse difference of opinion.

7 Jesuits in East Asia and Oceania Making a sanctuary

After the Emergency, Frs Phil Crotty and Steve Curtin, from Jesuit Mission Australia, visited East Timor. Phil describes what he found:

It was strange to wake up to in a Jesuit house to the sound of babies crying and their mothers comforting them. The reality of meeting family after family, sleeping in the classrooms, the corridors, under the trees was overwhelming. I kept waking up at night to the sound of crying. During the day there were children everywhere, running along the corridors and charmingly greeting every Jesuit they could spot with ‘Bondia’ (Good morning). Their houses had been burnt to the ground, they’d been driven out of the area where they lived, they’d found sanctuary with the church, all in a matter of a few days, and still the meals had to be cooked, the clothes washed, the children looked after. I kept thinking that this is what war is really like, an incredible mix of the awful and the ordinary.

The enclosed courtyard of mattresses and washing, but could not save two of the Jesuit house at Taibesi one of the Jesuits said mass them who were dragged is a place to feel safe. in Tetum. It was deeply from his vehicle while String was tied from pillar moving to stand there he was escaping with the to pillar, mosquito nets among the people knowing rest. Then there was the Fr Sammy Dijon were hung, the children’s that the liturgy simply said, picture of Fr Lebron that clothes hung up to dry, ‘God is among his people’. appeared in newspapers tiny spaces marked out for around the world. He is each family. At night the There were heroic known to all the children families gathered in an open stories. Many spoke of the of the neighbourhood as area and lit candles and parish priest of Ermera, Amu Lalo. He went out sang and prayed beside tiny Fr Adriano, who drove on to the streets at night, statues of the Sacred Heart through a mob to rescue moving from place to place and Our Lady of Fatima some Lorosa’e police who to rescue families trapped in that they had rescued from were under siege from burning houses. There were their burning homes. Early people of Loromonu (the tragedies too for the priests. each morning, amid all West). He managed to At the major seminary the the mosquito nets, and get them into his jeep, Rector had opened the

8 Jesuits in East Asia and Oceania

Seeing strangers, we should rid ourselves of fear, and unite ourselves to them in our hearts and our love.

house and the grounds to to them about not being thousands. But at night divided one against the SERVING THE PEOPLE when he was driving back other. He later told us how to the seminary someone this little community had East Timorese Jesuits describe their experience shot him through the car come together. during the violence. window. He was so badly injured that he had to be ‘Three leaders from the Two of the Fathers like to go around the city to see if they can help airlifted to Darwin. village became Animadores the people who suffer in the burning of houses and other attacks. (animators). They call They warn away the rascals and take the victims to a safer place. Steve and I managed to the people together every They visit them in hospital, hear confessions and anoint the sick. visit all the places where week. Then they talk the Jesuits are working. about what the gospel As we saw all the things means to them. They told that were happening, the me, ‘It’s as though we’re health centre in Railaco, an extended family. The the recently opened high problems of one family school, the new agricultural become the problems of the training centre in Suai, we whole group, and together were in awe of all the work we look for solutions. It’s that has been done and at a chance to live out the the same time we could Gospel, to share the word see why the Church had of God, to share bread, to so easily become a place of feel part of a family.’ Sanctuary for the people.’ ‘Jesus always walked We saw this beautifully with the poor, hand in illustrated in a mountain hand. We’re very clear in village on the border of the community that Jesus Frs Phuc and Lebron patrol the streets Railaco. It was evening presents himself to us in the when Fr Sammy Dijon took needy, in the vulnerable, Our minor seminary is crowded with about 2000 refugees. Almost us up a steep mountain road in the one who suffers. all rooms, halls and even the corridors are occupied. At first the to a village called Tocaluli. We have him here with us classes could go in the midst of the noise. But a second wave of Fr Sammy said Mass in an every day. When you go refugees forced us to share the classrooms with them, and this open space in the centre of to the heart of the matter, week we have no classes. the village. Everyone from that’s why our churches the village was there and and schools have become a The High School is the only school in the whole of Dili where classes Fr Sammy spoke gently Sanctuary to the people.’ are going on, in the middle of hearsays, chaos and danger. The school has now become a refugee centre, as it has always been, where people bring whatever they treasure, including chickens and monkeys. East Timorese from the east and the west are here, peacefully living together. Fr Edu has always challenged the students to think as real Christians, that we are all brothers and sisters.

We continue to pray for one another and please, do it especially for us here.

9 Jesuits in East Asia and Oceania From Superman to Saint Ignatius

Principle and Foundation

In memory of her (Mark 14. 9.) Repent (Revelation 3. 19)

After the terrible Yogyakarta scholastic, now studying says, ‘At the beginning, earthquake, Danang theology. He continues to I sometimes don’t have any accompanied his father Piet practice his art, which has idea what I am going to H. Santoso and friends to always been an important paint. I remember my father visit the affected areas. He part of his life. For him, art once told me that painting is says, ‘One day we found a expresses what is in his heart a sort of communication and village that totally damaged. and what he meets in his conversation. Painting is a I think it’s the worst thing life. From the beginning, art message. Wisdom is hidden I’ve ever seen. We stop there comes out of his reflection. in this principle.’ Piet H. Santoso at work and talk to the children. We He says of his childhood, ‘I get them to tell their story often drew until midnight. He sees the most important about the earthquake, and While I was drawing I told thing is genuine feeling. For Danang Bramasti, then they paint their stories. everybody about what I had Beauty comes from the art is not just a personal The results are amazing. been doing. Most were my heart and authenticity. gift. It belongs to the For a week we continue this experiences at school or at community. He learned activity. Now we have many home. Besides I also drew that from his father, paintings of them. We hope my ‘heroes’ like Batman or who is also an artist and to publish the paintings, Superman. I did it at night Danang’s teacher. Greg and hold exhibitions in while I tried to memorize all Soetomo interviewed Yogyakarta, Jakarta, and the events of the day.’ Danang for Jesuits in Bali. We hope to raise some East Asia and Oceania. money to help the children.’ Danang’s paintings have always centred on the events For Antonius Padua of his life and world. They Danang Bramasti (he prefers have always been about to be called Danang) the communication. So it was area around Yogyakarta is natural for him to go to help his home place. He is 28 people after the earthquake years old, an Indonesian through his painting. He

10 Jesuits in East Asia and Oceania

I found great devotion as I listened to the chanting of Vespers, and gazed at the decoration of the church.

Peter Faber

WHY I PAINTED THE BROOM Come to me (Mathew 11. 28) Ignatius of Loyola I have been painting a figure ‘ It is not for nothing God gives someone a talent. It will become useless if we of Peter Faber, but not as don’t nurture it for the greater glory of God.’ a spiritual master. I’m trying to make something different, The sincerity expresses the my retreat in 2005, after He sees his painting as that is Peter Faber as a deepest feeling and thinking each contemplation, I wrote an expression of Ignatian Broom of Christ. about the world. So some of of its fruits. But every time spirituality, saying that his paintings tell us about his I pondered the notes, they ‘it includes the response In his Memoriale he wrote spiritual journey. They invite brought me back to the to God’s calling through that he wanted to be a us to enter his meditation images that I saw in my art. It is in line with what broom of Christ. on searching for and finding contemplation. I realized Ignatius says in The Spiritual God. He says, ‘Since painting that I had to paint them. Exercises, more particularly It means that he is just is a kind of communication, Doing paintings had touched when he writes on a broom to clean the floor I try to communicate with my heart more deeply than contemplation to attain love. and after that the broom God by painting. During putting words.’ It tells us that we can find can be forgotten. God in all things. Painting is one way amongst many And it worked: after he to find God. I’m sure Jesuits had swept Europe clean can integrate their art talents for seven years, he became into their mission.’ the forgotten Jesuit for

Paintings (from left) many more years. Mother and Child by Piet H. Santoso The eyes of the Lord (Psalm 34.16) Riding by Monas

(right) Enlightenment (Luke 1.38)

11 May I begin to be, and to be called, Christ’s broom. While I am making others clean, how wretched and dirty I stay - like a broom. How quickly do I became worn out - like a broom.

To Christ I offer myself as his household broom, to sweep out the houses of the spirit. May he shape all the members of our Society into the most important, the most menial, of implements - into brooms.

After serving above my station

as a lowly broom, may I in heaven be received to be, and to be called, Christ’s glorious broom.

(Based on Memoriale)