What makes the Jesuit Institute unique?

The Jesuit Institute is the only such institution in the Church in Southern Africa. We offer a unique perspective which forms and informs all we do: our Ignatian tradition. We strive to provide a professional service to all whom we work with and for. It is a collaborative work, internally collaborating between Jesuits and lay people, externally collaborating with many diverse partners. These partners are often Catholic but we also have a rich network of partners from other Christian communities and the secular world.

What is the focus of the Jesuit Institute?

The Jesuit Institute has two main areas of focus: reconciliation and formation. Our choice of work, from now until 2024, will be specifically related to and focus on these two areas.

Reconciliation

Through the gift of the Ignatian tradition we seek to initiate, where  needed, and support existing works of reconciliation. We notice that many people are struggling within themselves. They struggle to accept that they are loved and called by God, that they are good and have gifts to offer the world.

This is often the result of events, experiences and circumstances that are beyond their control. Through retreats, ongoing spiritual direction and workshops we attempt to help people begin journeying the path of reconciliation with themselves and others.

This is closely linked to reconciling the divisions in our faith community and society. We focus on divisions caused by race, gender, economics, education and migration. We attempt to address these issues in retreats and workshops and through our commentary and analysis. We seek to empower people to be men and women for others.

We are also concerned about the degradation of the environment. We notice that many of the issues mentioned above are also closely linked to the disregard of the natural world. We, therefore, with partners, try to bring people together to raise awareness and seek ways forward which are based on best practices to ensure that we live in harmony with the gift of creation that God has given us.

We approach these areas of focus from the perspective of justice and informed by our Ignatian tradition.

Formation

Integral to our vision and goal is the formation of young people and adults. We do this through formal teaching, workshops, trainings and public engagement in various forms of media. We seek to form people, expanding their horizons for, ultimately, the work of justice and reconciliation. Catholic Social Teaching is our foundation and our reference.