“…reflecting on how we, as humans, are connected to the whole of creation in relationship with God and how our choices for living impact the rest of creation.” A report on the International Symposium at Cova de Sant Ignasi, Manresa Spain.

During a mild summer week of June 10-15, seventy-two women and men—lay, religious, and Jesuit—from six continents gathered in person at the International Centre of Spirituality – Cova Sant Ignasi, in Manresa, Spain. They were joined by another one hundred and fifty-plus participants from across the world online. For those who have not had the opportunity to visit the “birthplace of Ignatian Spirituality,” this is undoubtedly an extraordinary and inspiring part of the Ignatian world. Two in-person participants were from our JISA membership, Mary Robson and Ann-Maree O’Beirne RSM. Their reflection on the experience follows:

The symposium was rich in diverse experiences of prayer, listening, dialogue, liturgy, content, culture, and conviviality. Its objectives sought to explore the potential of the Spiritual Exercises to lead to an ecological conversion—a transformation of how we live on Earth more consciously and sustainably. This entailed reflecting on how we, as humans, are connected to the whole of creation in relationship with God and how our choices for living impact the rest of creation. The unique presence of Ignatian people who live and work with those who live in ecological disaster zones was inspiring and challenging. Their companioning of suffering peoples, significantly impacted by ecological devastation, brought home the urgency of action needed in our times.

The rhythm of each day began with a walking morning prayer to a significant Ignatian outdoor place within ten minutes of the centre. Prayer was followed by breakfast in silence. All meals were vegetarian, an example of the transformation that could assist ecological conversion or at least ecological consciousness. Formal presentations in the lecture hall, enabled by two interpreters and the equipment for us to hear the translation in either Spanish or English, filled the rest of the morning. These were the elements of the symposium open to those online. In the afternoon, there was time for personal reflection, small group sharing and an assembly where the fruits of the small groups were opened up to the larger group. The encounter of the Eucharist was a daily occurrence at the end of the day, followed by a late dinner (8 pm). Following dinner, there was a “buffet” of participants sharing their practical projects of the Exercises and ecological conversion. Indeed, very full days.

Throughout the five days of presentations, the rhythm and content of the Exercises were used as a framework for input. Tuesday through Saturday focused on the Principle and Foundation, then the four “Weeks” of the Exercises, each day respectively. Generally, each day, there was one lecture and two “communications” that were more practical. Of the lectures, we can highlight two that stood out to us. On the first day, Xavier de Bénazé SJ, from France, presented “The interconnectivity of the whole of Creation. Crossing the Six Doors.” Linking his presentation with the Principal and Foundation gave a fresh way of exploring this exercise, especially in a secular context. The second highlight was on day two, with a focus on Week One, where the lecture from Fabian Moos SJ, from Germany, presented “Awareness and Reconciliation of Personal and Structural Socio-Ecological Sins.” Fabian’s presentation challenged and expanded our thinking about this First Week of the Exercises, particularly in how we explore the notion of ecological sin against God. The practical communications about the ecological projects of two Retreat Centres, one in France and one in Germany, also provided much material for thought and action.

The other highlights of the Symposium, apart from the absolute joy of meeting and being with so many people from across the world and the challenge of speaking a common language, was our liturgical worship together each day. Of particular note was the liturgical expression of the pain, suffering and joy of creation from different cultural backgrounds. The passion and experience shared by the Amazonian Team (Lay and Jesuit) and Pedro Walpole SJ’s experience of living in the remote areas of the Philippines perfectly witnessed the power of liturgy and ritual. We do not always experience this in our Western style liturgies, often removed from the reality of our personal experience.

There is much to unpack and share more widely from this marvellous experience, something that Mary and I look forward to being able to do.

With thanks to Ann-Maree O’Beirne RSM and Mary Robsonfor this contribution to the ‘Being with God in Nature’ newsletter. Mary and Ann-Maree are Spiritual Directors and Givers of the Spiritual Exercises in JISA’s ‘Being with God in Nature’ ministry.