“Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me.” With these words, spoken in 1521, Augustinian friar Martin Luther formally broke his ties with the Catholic Church over what he saw as massive corruption and theological error within the church. Was he right or wrong? In the end this did not matter: he acted on conscience.

The Jesuit Institute is offering a 2 year modular course in Spiritual Direction

This training will be offered in 8 modules spread over 2 years.

• Dates: 2009 (Dates for 2010 still to be finalised)
• January: 10th -17th
• April 25th – 27th
• August 8th – 10th
• November 7th – 9th
• Cost: R5,000.00 per year. Subsidies are available for those in need. Please apply.
• Contact: Frances or Annemarie 011 403 3790 cis@jesuitinstitute.org.za

For more information download our brochure.

How many gadgets do you use everyday? Cell phone? Ipod? Access cards? Heart-rate monitor? DSTV decoder? Technological development has transformed our lives and the world we live in. Technology is no longer simply used for ‘doing tasks’ but has entered into the very fabric of our lives and influenced us profoundly. For the most part, I suspect, we are blinded by the ways it subtly influences and shapes our attitudes, views and interaction with the world. But has technological advancement also led to regression in certain areas of our lives?

The end of history was proclaimed a few years ago. Not by a religious visionary but by a political economist. Francis Fukuyama argued that the Western liberal democracy and Western market economics had so comprehensively won the battle of ideas that from here on in, they would be the models for the rest of the world. Henceforth history would consist of an implementation of these triumphant systems and there would be no more big historical surprises. It sounded rather like another secular eschatology.

After Thabo Mbeki confirmed on 19th September that he would be stepping down as President, what lies ahead for South Africa? Chris Chatteris SJ, Media Officer for the Jesuit Institute - South Africa, examines the current political climate in the country and looks at the challenges and implications of the next presidency.

Read the full article at Thinking Faith.

In "AIDS and the Ancestor Cult: Toward a Contextual Theological Conversation in the 'New' South Africa", Fr Knox explores links between the AIDS pandemic, the Catholic Church and an important South African tradition. South Africans, including Catholics, deeply revere their ancestors and find great value and meaning in associated rituals. He said: "People turn to the ancestors because it makes sense to them and gives them great hope, especially in the AIDS crisis because they are not alone." Fr Knox suggests that the Church borrow those dimensions from the cult which offer hope, consolation and reconciliation to people living with HIV and AIDS and their families.

Download the whole thesis in Adobe Acrobat PDF format or download the part you want from the list of attachments below.

The Jesuit Institute is presenting a two-year course in Theology.

Initially designed for the training of deacons, this course is popular among lay people wanting to broaden their knowledge of the faith.

As a new departure, laypeople are invited to attend individual modules.

The Jesuit Institute is offering a 34-day programme including a 30-day individually directed retreat, following the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, with 3 days of workshop preparation at Jacob's Well in Pinetown, Kwa-Zulu Natal. This programme will be offered on the 10th November - 15th December 2008 and is open to Clergy, Religious and Lay People.