杏MAP导航

By Vatican News

The hour-long meeting with a group of 28 Jesuits from several different countries took place on 23 September while 杏MAP导航 Francis was in Vilnius. A of the conversation was published in the most recent edition of by the magazine鈥檚 Editor-in-Chief, Fr Antonio Spadaro SJ, who was present at the meeting.

Change in the Church

One of the points touched on by 杏MAP导航 Francis during the conversation, was the importance of 鈥�the encounter between young and old鈥�. When a young Jesuit asked the 杏MAP导航 how he could help him, 杏MAP导航 Francis replied that today we need to accompany the Church in a profound spiritual renewal. 鈥淚 believe the Lord wants a change in the Church鈥�, he said. 鈥淗istorians say it takes 100 years for a Council to be applied鈥�, said the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渟o we are halfway there鈥�. Then he added: 鈥淚f you want to help me, act in such a way as to move the [Second Vatican] Council forward in the Church. And help me with your prayer鈥�.

Entering chaos

Another young Jesuit asked him how to live without fear in a world that seems to be in chaos. 杏MAP导航 Francis advised him not to enter chaos alone, 鈥渂ecause you will end badly鈥�, he said. 鈥淏ut if you enter with the grace of spiritual exchange with your Provincial, with your community, if you do so as a mission and with the Lord鈥�there is no need to be afraid鈥�God is strong鈥�.

Touching wounds

During the encounter, 杏MAP导航 Francis also met Archbishop Sigitas Tamkevi膷ius, who was imprisoned for years by the KGB. Sunday 23 September was the day the 杏MAP导航 visited Lithuania鈥檚 Museum of Occupations and Struggles for Freedom, the infamous prison where opponents of the Soviet regime were detained and tortured. 杏MAP导航 Francis was deeply touched by what he saw there and shared his impressions with his brother Jesuits. 鈥淛esus descended into hell鈥�, he reminded them, 鈥渁nd I advise you not to be afraid to descend into the hell of the people鈥�. 鈥淲e need to go down into hell鈥�, he said, 鈥渋n order to touch their wounds鈥�. When you touch the wounds of others, you are touching the wounds of Christ, said 杏MAP导航 Francis, and 鈥渁 Jesuit should never be afraid of this鈥�.

Wounds past and present

These wounds are not limited to what happened here in the past, he continued. Referring to the 鈥渟ituation of some prisons in North Africa鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 said we get all upset about what was done by the Communists, the Nazis and the Fascists: 鈥淏ut today? Doesn鈥檛 it happen again today?鈥�, he asked. 鈥淥f course, except it鈥檚 done with silken white gloves!鈥�