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Posted: August 11
We are near the end of the third day of a week-long workshop on communication here at Arrupe College in Harare, Zimbabwe. Fathers Nigel Johnson and Otieno Ndong'a and I are the faculty or facilitators for the 61 young Jesuits in the second, third and fourth year of their studies of philosophies and humanities. They come to Arrupe after the novitiates in their respective countries and the Jesuits represent most of English-speaking Africa.
The theme of the workshop is the “Jesuit communicator in a digital age” because we are emphasizing the new digital technology of photography, sound recording, video and electronic presentations, but we put all of that in the bigger context of someone aware of himself and his cultural context who knows the people he wants to address and is learning how to make use of new technology to do so. And this approach seems to be working. All three of us take turns giving one of the two main presentations each morning, and then specialize with groups of students in the afternoon. Nigel is leading the group working in video, Otieno the group working in audio and I have the one focusing on photography and Power Point presentations. We brought most of the equipment we need for the workshop, and the young Jesuits brought their creativity and enthusiasm. It’s a pretty good combination.
The sun is just setting now at 6:00 p.m. as we wait for supper, but the cool nights and the dry air of this high-altitude city makes it feel very home-like to me. It is much like Denver, only without the high mountains. And I have to admit, spending a few weeks tucked under blankets at night is much better than sweating through the notorious weeks of a Roman August. Being with scholastics is also a nice break from the administrative work at the Curia. The men are quiet but very talented, and welcoming as they get a chance to know you. I presided at Mass this morning at 7:00 a.m., a bit earlier than my preferred prayer time of late afternoon; but it felt good to be with them. The Society of Jesus is going to be different as they mature and move into positions where they can make their own contributions. I am not sure what they will do or how they will change the company, but they will surely do so. And I admire the men who are working here as faculty, investing their lives in the future of the Church. It is hard not to be hopeful when you are with so many good people, even though Africa faces enormous challenges. These young Jesuits are learning how to share what they think, and we will be the better for it.
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