In the previous edition of the S.J. Electronic Information Service (December 22), we mentioned the visit of Fr. General to Japan from December 20 to January 2. The major reason for the trip was the celebration of the centennial of the Society’s return to the Land of the Rising Sun (1908-2008). The trip also offered Fr. Nicolas the opportunity to meet the Jesuits of the Province of Japan and to see many long-time friends. We asked Fr. José M. de Vera, who accompanied Fr. General on his trip, to giver us some of his insights.

“The visit of Fr. General to Japan can be summarized by one word: intensity! The preparation, especially the visit to Sophia University in Tokyo, has been accurate, balanced and intense. Practically nothing has been changed on the scheduled agenda. The answer from the people who participated in his conferences and meetings has been warm and cordial. We can say that the highlights of this trip were two: the visit to our Sophia University, December 22-23, and the encounter with the Jesuits on December 26.

At the University, Fr. Nicolás met first with the administrative staff and then with professors and students. In both cases the room was filled up to its capacity. Also present were many of his former theology students (lay, sisters and priests) who at the end surrounded him with their affection and gratitude. The theme of the two encounters was the identity and mission of a Catholic university run by the Society of Jesus, with particular reference to the role of Sophia, and then in the reality of Japanese society.

Needless to say that the encounter of December 26 with the Jesuits was warm and brotherly. Almost two thirds of the Jesuits working in Japan were present. Everyone followed, with interest, the more than one and a half hour conference with Fr. General. Two other events highlighted the afternoon: the historical commemoration of the “second arrival” of the Jesuits in Japan (1908-2008) prepared by a Jesuit expert of history and the Mass of thanksgiving in St. Ignatius Church. During the Mass seven young Jesuits (five Japanese, one Korean and one Indonesian) pronounced their final vows in the Society of Jesus. A reception followed that included the relatives of the new “professed” Jesuits and numerous friends of the Society.

The agenda offered the opportunity for official visits with the Nuncio, the Cardinal and the Archbishop of Tokyo. A Mass was celebrated with the retired and the sick Jesuits in the Province infirmary, followed by an individual visit to each person living there.

Another nice and touching moment was the visit to Adachi, a poor suburb of Tokyo, where the Jesuits have worked for many years and where a group of Catholics run a school for children of immigrant parents. Father Nicolás lived near this suburb when he was Provincial of Japan.”

CURIA

• From January 7 to 18, Father General, together with his Council, left the Curia for a retreat based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. The retreat will be followed by three days of reflection on the major challenges and opportunities regarding the governance of the Society.

FROM THE PROVINCES

CASTELGANDOLFO
• The International Astronomical Union (IAU) and UNESCO announced that 2009 is to be the International Year of Astronomy. The initiative marks the 400th anniversary of Galileo Galilei’s first astronomical observation using a telescope (1609). The official opening ceremony will take place in Paris during an important meeting of the IAU. The Specola Vaticana (Vatican Observatory) will mark this year with a number of projects. Brother Guy Consolmagno, responsible for public relations for the Vatican Observatory at Castelgandolfo writes: “The Specola and the Governatorato of the Vatican State will be publishing a book on Astronomy and the Vatican. The work, a popular-level gift-sized book, will outline the work of the Vatican Observatory and the rich history of the Church and astronomy. In June, the Vatican Observatory will be holding a week-long international symposium on the role of astronomers and astronomy in 21st century society. In October, in cooperation with the Vatican Museums, an exhibition of historical astronomical instruments, from Galileo’s time up to models of the largest telescopes used today in astronomical research, will be held at the Vatican Museums. In November the Vatican Observatory will participate in the Study Week on Astrobiology organized by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.” In addition, the Vatican Observatory is co-sponsor for the international meeting organized by the Stenson Jesuit Institute in Florence on historical, philosophical and theological re-reading of the “Galileo case”, that will be held in Florence next May 2009 and for the sixth International Conference organized by the Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere e Arti, next October.

FRANCE
• Fr. Dominique Gonnet, professor and researcher at the Institut des Sources Chrétiennes, in Lyon, writes: “The Biblindex project is carried out by the Institut des Sources Chrétiennes. The first stage of the project has been completed. An index of approximately 400,000 biblical quotations and references from Greek and Latin patristic texts of the first five centuries is now available online. This index is based on: the published volumes of Biblia Patristica, CNRS Editions, 1975-2000 and the archives of the “Centre d’Analyse et de Documentation Patristique” (CADP) concerning Athanasius of Alexandria, Cyril of Alexandria, John Chrysostom, Theodoret of Cyrus, Procopius of Gaza, Jerome. This is only the first step towards a comprehensive index of all biblical references from patristic writings. Technical improvements are still necessary however, simple searches of the available corpus are already possible. To search references in Biblindex, one may open a user account on the website: http://www.biblindex.mom.fr and follow directions for use. For any questions, comments or suggestions, please write to:

NIGERIA
• The world economic crisis also has repercussions in the Society of Jesus. On this topic it is interesting to note the Christmas letter of Fr. George W. Quickley, Provincial of North-West Africa Province, to his Jesuit brethren. After listing concrete data and the accumulated losses on investments during the past year, he invites Jesuits to cut expenses as much as possible. “So we have to face a serious belt tightening by living simply, sustainably and in solidarity with one another especially with the struggling works and houses.” He continues with an invitation to “a greater spirit of shared resources”, recalling what is said in the Statutes on the Religious Poverty, n. 33: “Our manner of living with respect to food, clothing, lodging, recreation, holidays, travel, working facilities, and so forth should be appropriate to disciples of Christ poor: simple, welcoming, open, and not beyond what people of modest means can afford.” After having recalled the poverty of Christ’s birth, that certainly “was no picnic for Mary and Joseph, but more like an ordeal, perhaps even a nightmare”, he concludes with these words: “Some difficult days lie ahead of us as a Province as we begin the New Year. Perhaps these coming months will seem like a nightmare for many of us. But our vocation as Jesuits is a call to hope. We never despair even in the most difficult crisis.”

INDIA
• After the numerous acts of violence of past months against Christians in India, especially in Orissa, there was fear for Christmas celebrations; however the news received was reassuring. Fr. Xavier Jeyaraj writes from Kandhamal, Orissa: “I came here to Orissa to spend the Christmas with the affected people in Kandhamal. More than saying that the Christmas celebration passed off peacefully, it would only be appropriate to say that the birth of Jesus has ushered in tremendous confidence among the affected people. The people, who lived in fear and anxiety these past four months, are beginning to see some signs of hope emerging with the birth of Jesus. My first celebration was at Raikia. The church slowly filled with the simple ordinary innocent people from the camps. The vibrant singing by the youth of the village, after months of sadness and deprivation, added joy to the celebration. For the first time, after many months, the people saw 5 priests on the altar. The small church was overflowing with people. From the altar, I could vividly see many tear-soaked faces, with their folded hands in deep adoration of that God whom they have totally relied on all these days and months. As I came out of the Church to wish the people on this joyous occasion and after many days, I recognized a sense of relief that they have been able to meaningfully celebrate the Christmas without any trouble.”

CALIFORNIA
• From January 26 through February 13, Fr. Nicolás will be in the United States. The first part of the visit (January 29 – February 7), will be sest aside for the Province of California as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. In a tour spanning 9 days, 11 cities, and nearly 30 different sites, Fr. Nicolás will meet many of the nearly 390 Jesuits who are members of the California Province, hundreds of their lay partners, and still more parishioners, students, volunteers, and benefactors associated with Jesuit parishes, schools, and ministries. From February 8 through February 13 he will participate, in the meeting of the Jesuit Conference of the United States Assistancy that will be held at Los Altos, California.

In announcing the visit, Fr. McGarry, the Provincial, said, “The visitation of Very Rev. Adolfo Nicolás, S.J., to the California Province is a great blessing and an exciting way to begin our Centennial year of responding to the call of Christ as Jesuits and apostolic partners in mission. Having been a delegate to the 35th General Congregation at which Fr. Nicolás was elected Superior General, I can tell you what a grace his leadership is for the Society of Jesus at this time in our history. Not only will Father General be able to witness firsthand the outstanding work that so many Jesuits and laypersons are doing together as apostolic partners in our schools, universities, social, and pastoral ministries, but his presence will link us in a very concrete way to the 91 provinces in the worldwide Society of Jesus and to our service of the universal Church.”