杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

At the end of the first day of his recent Apostolic Journey to Romania, 杏MAP导航 Francis met with the twenty-two Jesuits working in the country, speaking with them in a relaxed and family atmosphere. The transcript of the conversation was published on Thursday in the Jesuit periodical, La Civiltà Cattolica.

Desolation and consolation

杏MAP导航 Francis spoke about desolations and consolations in life, familiar terms in the spirituality of St Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuits. Asked about how to deal with criticisms, the 杏MAP导航 said 鈥渋t takes patience, it takes hupomeno,鈥� the latter a Scriptural term meaning 鈥渆ndurance.鈥� He said, it is especially important to remain close to the Lord with prayer, and with time spent before the tabernacle; and to remain close to the people of God, with works of charity.

Speaking about consolations, the 杏MAP导航 said true consolations are 鈥渢hose in which the passage of the Lord is made present.鈥� He said he finds great consolations in prayer, where the presence of the Lord is felt; and in being with the people of God, especially the sick and the elderly.

Indifference, a great temptation

Responding to a later question about 鈥渋ndifference,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis cited St Ignatius, who, he said, 鈥渢ells us that if there is indifference, and there is no consolation or desolation, it is not good.鈥� Indifference is 鈥渙ne of the great temptations of today,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e live the temptation of indifference, which is the most modern form of paganism.鈥� Distinguishing between a type of good indifference, which keeps us from being overwhelmed by violent but passing emotions; and a bad indifference which neither laughs nor cries, 杏MAP导航 Francis said that 鈥渁 community that cannot laugh and cannot cry has no horizons. It鈥檚 locked in the walls of indifference.鈥�

Eastern Catholic Churches

During the encounter with the Jesuits, 杏MAP导航 Francis was also asked his thoughts about the future of Eastern Catholic Churches. 鈥淢y position is that of St John Paul II,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he Church breathes with two lungs.鈥� Rejecting the approach of so-called 鈥渦niatism,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said that today we must respect the current situation, and help Greek Catholic bishops to work with the faithful.

Accompanying married couples

The Holy Father also responded to a question concerning the difficulty faced by people in difficult marriages, and the path traced out in his Apostolic Exhortation Amoris laetitia. 杏MAP导航 Francis insisted that the Synod on the Family has taken 鈥渁 step on the path in matrimonial morals, passing from the casuistry of decadent scholasticism to the true morals of St. Thomas Aquinas.鈥� Instead of offering easy yes or no answers, he explained, we must accompany couples in difficult situations. 鈥淭here are very good experiences,鈥� he insisted. But he defended the work of diocesan tribunals, which make decisions on annulments, although he recognized that there are not enough tribunals, and that in some places they don鈥檛 work well. 鈥淟ord, help us!鈥� he prayed.

Diversity

In answer to a final question about diversity 鈥� specifically, diversity within the Jesuit order 鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis said that diversity is 鈥渁 grace,鈥� which shows that 鈥渢he Society doesn鈥檛 cancel personalities.鈥� At the same time, however, 鈥渨e must have unity of hearts, of spirit.鈥� Within the order, he continued, prayerful dialogue and discussion are important. 鈥淟et鈥檚 thank God we鈥檙e different!鈥�

You can read the full transcript of 杏MAP导航 Francis' conversations with the Jesuits in Romania, in an English translation, on the website of .