Here is a video poem on Christmas 2022 that combines visuals with the text. It is actually a colloquy – a conversation between Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and us.
Here is a video poem on Christmas 2022 that combines visuals with the text. It is actually a colloquy – a conversation between Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and us.
In this exclusive interview to INI, Fr. James Bharataputra, SJ, talks about his fifty years as a missionary in Indonesia and the Marian shrine he built there.
Interview with James Bharataputra, SJ
Father James, first tell us about your name. Was it always James Bharataputra?
No. I was known as I.S.S.James – short for Irudayam Singarayar Sebastian James. When I became a naturalized citizen of Indonesia in 1989, I came to be known as James Bharataputra.
You have completed 50 years as a Jesuit missionary in Indonesia, right?
On 18 May 2022 I completed the 50th year of my missionary life in Indonesia. This year, 2022, is my Golden Jubilee Year as a missionary in Indonesia; for it was on 18 May 1972 I landed in Medan, the capital city of North Sumatra Province of the Republic of Indonesia. Archbishop A.H. van den Huruk OFM Cap. of Medan archdiocese wanted someone to serve the Tamil Catholic community of Indian emigrants in the island of Sumatra, which belongs to Indonesia. Since at that time I belonged to the Hong Kong Jesuit province, the then Hong Kong Provincial, Fr Fergus Cronin SJ, lent me to Medan archdiocese.
But you are from Tamil Nadu, India, aren’t you?
Yes. My parents had no children for ten years after their marriage. I came to know later that my mother had made a private vow to offer me back to God, because I was the fruit of her unwavering faith and unrelenting prayers and penance for ten years. A girl child was born after me. My parents were ready to offer us both to God’s service. My sister became a nun.
You joined the Madurai Jesuit province first, didn’t you? How did you come to belong to Hong Kong Mission?
Some of the American Jesuit missionaries working in Batticalo Mission in Sri Lanka came to do their tertianship at La Providence, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, India. A few of these Jesuits used to come to Michaelpatnam, my native village in Ramnad district of Tamil Nadu, in order to learn Tamil. Our parish too was run by the Jesuits. During my high school days at St. Mary’s, Dindigul I had the privilege of teaching Tamil to two American Jesuits who were working in Sri Lanka – Frs Moran and Miller. My interactions with them made me dream of working as a missionary in Sri Lanka. But unfortunately the political situation in Sri Lanka those days prevented me from realizing that dream. So I joined the Madurai Jesuit province.
This year, 2022, is my Golden Jubilee Year as a missionary in Indonesia; for it was on 18 May 1972 I landed in Medan, the capital city of North Sumatra Province of the Republic of Indonesia.
In 1963 when I did my philosophy at Sacred Heart College, Shembaganur, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, one of my classmates was Jeffrey Colond, a Singaporean Jesuit Scholastic. He belonged to the Hong Kong Mission. The Irish Province had adopted the Hong Kong Mission, which included Malaysia. The Mission needed Tamil-speaking missionaries to serve the Tamils in the Malaysian region. I offered myself to serve there for the Hong Kong Mission. After much correspondence between my Superiors, I got the approval of the then General, Fr Pedro Arrupe, to join the Hong Kong Mission and serve in Malaysia.
But the Government of Malaysia refused to renew my visa. My Superior in Hong Kong decided to send me to Indonesia to do my theological studies at Kolese Ignatius in Jogjakarta in December 1967 with the hope that things would change and that I could be brought back to Malaysia after my ordination. But God seemed to have a different plan. In August 1968 I had the opportunity to visit Medan during my holidays in December 1968. Archbishop van den Hurk OFM Cap, of Medan, who had been looking for a Tamil-speaking priest for some time, asked me if I was willing to come and serve the small Tamil community in his archdiocese. Since I could not get back to Malaysia, my superior in Hong Kong was ready to send me to Indonesia soon after my ordination and pastoral year. This is how I landed here in 1972.
You have completed 50 years as a Jesuit missionary. Of these how many years have you spent in Indonesia?
Forty six years! I am in awful wonder at the way God’s loving providence has led me to this mission land, to grow and bear fruit. I am also amazed at the great trust my Jesuit superiors had in me. They allowed me to labour alone all these years, serving the local Church, the archdiocese of Medan. Now for the past 22 years I remain at the Marian Shrine of Graha Maria Annai Velankanni, Tanjung Selamat, Medan. This is my 17th year as its Rector.
Since I could not get back to Malaysia, my superior in Hong Kong was ready to send me to Indonesia soon after my ordination and pastoral year. This is how I landed here in 1972.
Before you built the Shrine, did any contribution give you joy and satisfaction?
Seeing that one of the main causes why they remained poor was lack of proper education, I launched an educational project. I put up a primary school on an empty land in their village. The land belonged to the archdiocese. I named it Karya Dharma. My aim was to provide an opportunity to children from economically poorer families and the school drop-outs. God blessed my initiative and thanks to Karya Dharma, hundreds of poor children completed their primary education during the past three decades. Many of them have now become graduates. I feel gratified to see among the Tamil Catholics here a considerable number of graduates, holding good positions in business and in white-collar jobs today. The people appreciated my initiative and were very cooperative. This was my Palm Sunday. But soon came the Good Friday.
As a missionary in a foreign country, did you have any difficult, painful experiences?
Of course, I did. In the late 1970s I started a project to bring a radical change in the life of people in a village called kampung Kristen (Christian village). For more than three generations they had lived as a secluded Tamil community that lived on the charity of Dutch missionaries. They owned no property. They were afflicted by poverty, alcoholism, petty quarrels, and a deep-rooted inferiority complex. I tried to get them to interact and mingle with other communities. But instead of being grateful they became angry and opposed my ideas. I had to face a lot of opposition, betrayal, and mental suffering. My inner suffering and frustrations led to a period of depression. My very vocation and missionary life were threatened. That was my Good Friday.
The highlight of your years here has been this Marian Shrine, which seems to be an architectural masterpiece. How did it come about?
I wanted Mary to perform miracles here in Medan as she has been performing at Vailankanni, Tamil Nadu, India for more than three centuries by drawing people from all walks of life and helping them know her son Jesus. I know that every shrine that draws pilgrims from all walks of life does two things. It helps them encounter God. At the same time it reminds the pilgrims that they are all children of one God, whatever may be their religious faith. It teaches them to respect and love one another as brothers and sisters as they are all children of the same Father in Heaven. Therefore the barriers that keep us divided disappear in a shrine. It helps them exclaim, with the psalmist, “How beautiful it is to live as brothers and sisters in the Lord’s house on earth!”
How did you actually realize your dream of building a Marian shrine in Indonesia? How much did it cost?
That was a time when the Indonesian national economy was very unstable. But I am a man of faith and faith makes you dream dreams. I didn’t think of the cost and how I will get the money I needed for the shrine. I began with what I had. Then the generosity of Marian devotees saw to everything. Hundreds and hundreds of Marian devotees kept sending me generous donations. Many wanted to remain anonymous. Eventually it cost more than four billion Rupiah (equivalent to US $ 500,000).
From where did you get the ideas about the structure and the design of the Shrine?
From my dreams. I believe God was telling me such details through my dreams. At times I used to wake up from my dreams and jot down some of the details of my dream lest I forget them. I do not know how to describe this extraordinary spiritual experience by which I felt that it was God who was dictating his plan for this Shrine in detail as I was proceeding with the construction.
You must have received a lot of praise from several people for this Shrine. Do you remember any appreciative remark in particular?
My friend and companion, late Fr Ignatius Jesudasan, SJ, a thinker, writer and Gandhian, wrote, “The imposingly impressive Marian shrine would serve as a crowning celebration of Fr James’ four decades-long missionary dream and experience in Indonesia. Its whole architectural design is supposed to reflect St. Ignatius’s dream-like contemplation in his Spiritual Exercises on the mystery of Incarnation. It is artistically represented here, as in medieval cathedrals, through paintings and statues. Indo-Saracenic in architectural style, the Shrine combines social utility as a community hall at its basement, worship and adoration on the middle floor, and artistic contemplation of religio-historical mysteries on the top floor. Since the Shrine draws pilgrims of all faiths, Fr. James Bharataputra has contributed his share to Indonesia’s religio-cultural diversity and tourism. His life has become a blessing to many people.”
I wanted Mary to perform miracles here in Medan as she has been performing at Vailankanni, Tamil Nadu, India for more than three centuries by drawing people from all walks of life and helping them know her son Jesus.
The Archbishop of Medan wrote, “Fr James has been working in Indonesia for 50 long years giving his life and energy to our Archdiocese. The pinnacle of his work is the establishment of the Archdiocesan Pilgrimage Centre known as the Marian Shrine of Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni in Medan.”
Fr. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, SJ, former Superior General of Jesuits, wrote: “You could see how wonderfully and uniquely God has been leading you all these years of your missionary life in Malaysia and Indonesia… Placing yourself unreservedly in God’s hands, you have achieved things beyond your imagination… You constructed a shrine to Our Lady, Annai Velanganni, to spread the devotion among the Tamil Catholics in Indonesia. It is a cause of great satisfaction that now, as the Rector of this Shrine, you see thousands flock to receive our Mother’s favours and profit from her powerful intercession.”
In a review of my autobiography in the Indonesian language, Fr Sindhnata, SJ, a journalist and a prolific writer in Indonesia, wrote: “The majesty and beauty of the shrine are the embodiments of the inculturation process between his native land, Tamil Nadu, and the land of Sumatra. The shrine has become a place where heaven and earth meet – where the divine and the human embrace each other – where God wants to meet his people, irrespective of race, creed, and language.”
S. Ignacimuthu, SJ, explains how he acquired a passion for scientific research that has led him to many achievements and awards.
By S. Ignacimuthu, SJ
Introduction
Scientific research is an opportunity to take part in the ongoing plan of God’s creation. Rigorous intellectual pursuit, especially in science, has been an integral part of the Society of Jesus’ mission from the beginning. The testimony borne by innumerable number of Jesuits throughout the world is a clear indication of this special charism of the Society. Our Mother Society gave me also the opportunity to be involved in scientific research and thus contribute to this noble tradition of rigorous intellectual apostolate. My mission through scientific research is founded on the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola. The ‘Contemplation to obtain love’ is the cornerstone of my mission. The more I understand the mysteries of Nature, the closer I get in my relationship with God.
Initiation
When I was doing my undergraduate studies in Botany during 1969 to 1972 at Loyola College, Chennai, the professors encouraged me and constantly motivated me to get interested in the subject. They helped me publish a paper on biodiversity in the College magazine. During Philosophy studies from 1972 to 1975, I had very good opportunity to promote my interest in science when I was in-charge of the museum at Sacred Heart College, Shembaganur and the care-taker for the orchid and fern gardens. I collected many species of orchids, ferns, cacti and insects and enriched the museum and the gardens.
Based on these experiences I wrote an article on ‘Growing orchids’ and another on ‘Growing cacti’ and got them published in the magazine sections of the newspapers like The Indian Express and The Hindu. A research article on the biological changes in Kodaikanal was published in a science journal with Fr K.M. Mathew, S.J. a renowned plant taxonomist, as the lead author. During 1975-1976, I had an opportunity to teach at St Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai which also gave me a taste for the subject. From 1976 to 1978, I did my M.Sc. Botany at St Joseph’s College, Tiruchirapalli. Fr Mathew filled me with great enthusiasm to pursue scientific research seriously and consider it as my special mission in the Society. He put me in touch with many good professors at Delhi University. I did my M.Phil. and Ph.D. at Delhi University along with my teaching in the department of Botany at St Joseph’s College. Professor C.R. Babu in Delhi trained me to take up scientific research and remain devoted to it.
The more I understand the mysteries of Nature, the closer I get in my relationship with God.
Research projects
In 1986, I received two government-funded research projects which helped me publish some research papers. In June 1990, I was invited by the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria to present a paper at the international conference. This helped me build contacts with some scientists. In 1993, I moved over to Entomology Research Institute (ERI) at Loyola College, Chennai. This formed a very good base for carrying out multidisciplinary research and bringing out many good publications.
Between 1994 and 1996, I went to Kaiserslautern Technical University, Germany, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA, Technical University (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland and National Institute, Okasaki, Japan for my post-doctoral research. During this period, I learnt many modern techniques related to biological research. Based on my post-doctoral works I was able to publish many research articles which were later compiled together and submitted to the University of Madras, Chennai which awarded me the degree of Doctor of Science, in 2001.
Research at ERI
At Entomology Research Institute (ERI), Loyola, Chennai we made it a point to carry out socially relevant research works in different fields of biology and medicinal chemistry with the intention of promoting interdisciplinary research. We worked on various areas such as organic farming, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity, environmental protection, medicinal plants, human health, biospesticides to control mosquitoes and other types of insects, genetic engineering, tissue culture, molecular breeding and so on.
Many research articles and some books have been published on these. We have been conducting environmental awareness campaigns among farmers, women, schools and college students. Many popular books and articles were written to create greater awareness among the students and the public. We have been promoting organic farming and sustainable agriculture for many years. The farmers have been trained in various methods relating to organic farming. Many booklets have been prepared and supplied to farmers to be used as self-guides.
In 1993, I moved over to Entomology Research Institute (ERI) at Loyola College, Chennai. This formed a very good base for carrying out multidisciplinary research and bringing out many good publications.
We took enormous efforts to verify the traditional claims and substantiate them with scientific evidence. We have also used bioinformatics tools to validate these findings. All these have resulted in numerous publications and patents related to the above mentioned areas. Many natural extracts, compounds, oils and formulations were scientifically tested and recommended to the farmers for agricultural pest management. One of the products, Ponneem’, formulated by us is manufactured and marketed by Nimbion Organics company, Chennai.
My colleagues and I have written more than 800 research articles which have been appreciated by scientists from all parts of the world. More than 400 gene sequences have been submitted in Genbank for public use. So far we have carried out more than 45 major research projects through which more than 100 students were able to get their doctoral degrees. Our papers have been cited more than 26,000 times by other scientists.
Many natural extracts, compounds, oils and formulations were scientifically tested and recommended to the farmers for agricultural pest management.
Research at Xavier Research Foundation (XRF)
In 2018, I went to St Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai to establish XRF and promote research. Here we are working on similar lines as mentioned above. During Covid-19 pandemic we developed herbal Xavier Hand Sanitizer. We have also developed Xavier herbal termite controller, Xavier herbal hand wash, Xavier herbal disinfectant and Xavier herbal mosquito coils and incense sticks.
We are establishing an Agro-tourism centre with a view to expose students and public to organic farming and integrated agriculture. Through another project we are equipping the laboratory with high-tech instruments for good research. We are working on the ‘Flora of Tirunelveli Hills’ in four volumes.
Patents, Awards and Recognitions
Based on these works, 2 US Patents and 12 Indian Patents were obtained. 10 more Indian Patents are in the pipe line. One trademark was also secured. An insect species is named after me: Jacthrips ignacimuthui. One natural molecule is named after me: Ignaciomycin.
Recognizing the significant contributions, the Government of Tamil Nadu awarded ‘Tamil Nadu Scientist Award for Life Sciences’ in 2001 and ‘Karmaveerar Kamarajar Award for Environmental Management’ in 2008. The National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi made me a prestigious fellow of the academy in 2009. I am a fellow of Royal Entomological Society, London, England and a fellow of Entomological Society of India. I am the Chief Editor of the Indian Journal of Natural Products Resources, Government of India.
In October 2020, I was identified as one of the top 1% Scientists in the field of Plant Biology based on the number of citations by Professors of Stanford University, U.S. (DOI.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3000918). Following this, Very Rev. Fr Arturo Sosa, SJ, the Superior General of the Society wrote a beautiful letter on 3 December 2020. “You manifest one of the most important characteristics of the Jesuit Mission – Intellectual pursuit. In a world of superficiality, you live a life of intense search and scientific knowledge….As I have always reminded our brothers the intellectual apostolate is part of our Jesuit DNA. You are a living witness to that reminder.”
I was given Saint Peter Canisius award on 6 August 2022 at Boston College, USA by the International Association of Jesuit Universities for my contribution to higher education. I was given Dr A.P.J. Abdul Klam award on 15 August 2022 by the honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Mr M.K.Stalin, for my contributions in the field of Development of Science.
Books
One of my books on ‘Environmental Awareness’, written in Tamil, got the best book award from the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1994. I have written more than 80 books; nearly 55 of them are on topics related to science. Many of my books are used as text books in universities and colleges both in India and other foreign countries.
A word to young Jesuits
Passion is very important for anyone who wants to attain certain level of perfection. This has been true in the case of a number of sports stars and other achievers in other fields. With regard to research and intellectual pursuit, a strong desire to contribute something is very important. Only this will push us on steadily to move forward in spite of the many obstacles and difficulties on our way. Along with passion, hard work is also very essential, since there is no substitute for hard work. Only persistent and enduring hard work will bring the desired results. We need to stay motivated to do our best.
Conclusion
If we believe nature is God’s gift to us, then finding new things in nature and proclaiming them is also an aspect of revealing God to others. I must acknowledge the tremendous grace of God which has guided me all through. I was able to do all these because of the love the Society of Jesus had bestowed on me. I owe everything to our Mother Society.
God has blessed me abundantly and I have given in return whatever He has given me. I owe these achievements to the hard work and dedication of my staff and students who have toiled with me in this labor of love.
Fr. S. Ignacimuthu, SJ, is Director, Xavier Research Foundation, St Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai – 627 002, Tamil Nadu, India. Email : imuthus@hotmail.com.
V. Joseph Xavier, SJ, describes the character traits of Gen Z to whom most of our students belong.
Most of our students, who belong to Gen Z, are very different
By V. Joseph Xavier, SJ
Introduction
If we have to understand our youth, particularly our students, we have to know what sociologists say about what they call the Z generation (Gen Z). They are also called ‘Post-Millennials.’ They are called so, because millennials, born between 1981 and 1996, are called Gen Y.
Who are those who belong to Gen Z? Those born between the year 1996 and 2010 belong to Gen Z. This means now (2022) their age may be between 12 and 26. The 21st century is the century of Gen Z. The first truly digital natives, they live in the world of smart phones, social media, internet, multi-tasking, and gaming. They are known as the glass generation as they use iPad and computers for their learning. The use of technology is likely the most common characteristic of Gen Z. They live their lives online, and they love sharing both intimate and mundane details of their life, like their relationship status, a restaurant review or an Instagram photo of themselves.
Some of them have completed their studies, and are now working as businessmen/women, CEOs or entrepreneurs. Many of them are in colleges, undergoing higher education of their choice.
Different
Their motivations, learning styles, characteristics, skill sets, and social concerns are different from those of previous generations. While being skeptical about the cost and value of higher education, they are also entrepreneurial, innovative, and independent learners, and are concerned about effecting social change. Understanding Gen Z’s mindset and goals is crucial to imparting higher education to them.
Right from birth
Gen Zs were born into a world that takes for granted several gadgets. They were born with a television in every house, cell phones in every hand and air conditioner in all middle class families. Unlike the previous generations, they were exposed to technology from birth.
But what they are today, whatever they have achieved or become, directly depends on the kind of education they get and the type of influence the outside world has on them.
Education
Studies reveal that a majority of Gen Zs (about 80 per cent) think that school education is important to create a base for future. They take academics, cultural activities, small school level competitions and other events seriously. The 12 years of school help them become disciplined. Not all achieve equal success, but they get into college for further education. About 2 per cent start building their careers at the school level itself. This is less as compared to older generations because many countries have made school education compulsory. UNESCO’s ‘Education for All Global Monitoring Report 2010’, says that about 135 countries have constitutional provisions for free and non-discriminatory education for all.
Their Learning Style
Gen Z students are digital integrators, simple and flexible, connected to a borderless world, visual learners, prefer flexible learning and want the teachers to communicate and engage them in the process of learning. They try to assess the relevance of what they are taught. They want to have access to technology. They are multi taskers. They prefer social interaction. They are entrepreneurial.
They think digital in all assignments and activities. They tend to break the content into short segments. They want their time to be respected and would prefer individualized instruction. They want access to resources and would like to be acknowledged as smart, creative and hard working.
Unlike the previous generations, they were exposed to technology from birth. But what they are today, whatever they have achieved or become, directly depends on the kind of education they get.
Desire to achieve
Their focus is on getting good grades. They see college as the key to a high- paying job and success, and miss the bigger picture of what a college education should be about. They are pressured to decide early on a career – and have been put on a career track orientation very young, even from school. Their focus is more on the world of achievement rather than personal development.
Gen Z want to find a niche for themselves in the world. They want to rule, enjoy power, want followers, but they want to do it with talent as a weapon, not bullets and bombs. About 40-45 per cent of Gen Z migrate to other countries for post-graduation or jobs. Their number may increase further in the future.
Dividing line blurred
Since they have grown up with technologies at their fingertips, the dividing line between work and social life, of study and entertainment, of private and public life has blurred. They live in an open book environment – just a few clicks away from any information. They connect in a borderless world across countries and cultures, and they communicate in a post-literate community where texts and tweets are brief, and where visuals and videos are the way they communicate.
Special & important
As most families have just one or two children, Gen Z are used to being treated as special and important They are the most wanted generation. Every milestone in their lives is marked with celebrations and praise. Hence, they carry a sense of entitlement and expect frequent positive feedback. It has been instilled in them that they are vital to their parents, families and nation. They feel they are here to solve the world’s problems that older generations have failed to solve. They may claim they want privacy, but they crave attention at the same time.
Sheltered
They have been highly protected as children. They have grown up at a time of increasing safety measures (car seats, baby on board signs and class rooms and public spaces equipped with CCTV cameras). They are rarely left unsupervised. They are sheltered from having to take care of their conflicts as parents do it on their behalf, and “spare” them from unpleasant experiences. Therefore naturally when they come to the college, they expect the faculty and staff to shelter, protect, and nurture them – and resolve their conflicts for them. Unable to handle conflicts or stress from schools, studies, peers and parents, they go to the extent of taking their lives. Gen Z are the focus of the most sweeping youth safety movement in human history.
Outside the classroom
Traditionally, learning took place mainly in the classroom and the students learned to apply what they learned through homework. Today content can be accessed through technology anywhere, and often in very visual and engaging forms. Thus, most of their learning takes place outside the classroom. But the essential engagement and practice is still conducted at school, by the all-important facilitator, rather than the teacher.
Global as never before
They are mobile in terms of the jobs they will have and the homes they will live in. It is therefore important to think about how one can equip this generation with not just content but resilience in a changing world. They are truly global and are the most likely generation to work in multiple countries. They are the most globally connected and influenced generation in history. Therefore they are not limited to the local but are global as never before.
The first truly digital natives, they live in the world of smart phones, social media, internet, multi-tasking, and gaming.
Visual
For Gen Z messages have increasingly become image-based. Signs, logos and brands communicate across language barriers with colour and picture. Communicating symbols and pictures with stories is not a new concept. Most ancient forms of communication such as rock art, tell stories through pictures. Visuals are also the way in which the brain processes information best. Earlier auditory delivery dominated the classroom. The teacher just kept talking to the students. But Gen Z depend on the visual and ‘hands on learning styles’.
Confident
They are motivated, goal-oriented, and confident in themselves and the future. They expect college to launch them to greatness. They brag about their generation’s power and potential. They have high levels of optimism. They are assertive and believe they are “right”.
Team- oriented
They are group-oriented rather than being individualistic. They may sacrifice their individual identity to be part of a team. They prefer egalitarian leadership. They are a tight-knit generation. They do not want to stand out among their peers. They want to be seen as part of the group. They dislike selfishness and are oriented toward service and volunteerism. While they are group-oriented among themselves, they may “politely” exclude other generations.
Pressured
Right from their childhood, their time has been tightly scheduled. They are used to having every hour of their day filled with structured activity. Sadly, this generation has lost a sense of spontaneous play. They struggle with handling free time.They feel pressured to succeed. They have been pushed hard to achieve, to avoid risks, and to take advantage of opportunities. They think multi-tasking saves time and is a smart thing to do but are not usually aware of the poorer quality of results.
Open to others
They want to communicate with people from other lands and other cultures. They want to diminish the boundaries, and they want to believe that people in other lands are the same, except the culture. They believe that someday in future, the whole world will share the same culture. Their idols, their inspirations, their idea of love, their idea of passion, their idea of success are uniquely their own. This is why older generations cannot force their ideas of all these on them. The older generations may try to persuade them with tales of their success and achievements, but Gen Z will manage to find a loophole in everything the older generations present to them.
More curious, more connected
They are young, they are wild, they are curious, and they are the strongest force on this earth. They have the capability to change everything that is built today. Being part of the most technologically advanced generation in history has provided them with some distinct advantages.
They have a positive attitude towards technology and are not afraid to try new things. Because they’re comfortable exploring the Internet, they are more connected to the world than previous generations. When they’re curious about a subject, they’ll often research it online. They stay connected to the media all the time. Eager to adopt technology at all levels, they tend to push others to do the same. They approach all aspects of life from a global and visual perspective. They crave for technology-enhanced learning opportunities. They look for educational opportunities that use visually enhanced methods of teaching. They know more about other cultures and are often more tolerant of cultural differences.
Since they have grown up with technologies at their fingertips, the dividing line between work and social life, of study and entertainment, of private and public life has blurred.
Differences between Gen Y and Gen Z
Fifty per cent of Gen Z prefer to save money than to spend it, unlike Gen Y. They prefer shopping online for almost all their purchases unlike the previous generations. While Gen Y watched YouTube, Hulu and Netflix, Gen Z want to co-create, live stream, and help to make up the activity as they participate. While Gen Y loved sports and adventure, Gen Z sees sports as a health tool, not for play. While Gen Y initiated text messages as a norm, Gen Z prefers communicating through images, icons and symbols.
Conclusion
As educators and as the teachers of Gen Z, we need to keep in mind they are a digital, visual, creative generation. We must remember that they want to be recognised for their contribution and so we need to express appreciation for their efforts and encourage them. They are confident of their ability, and we need to affirm it. Teachers of earlier generations may forget that Gen Z want individual attention in learning and want the teacher to involve them in their learning. They are social in outlook and are interested in social issues. This will help in making them aware of social problems. Their global outlook may inspire teachers of earlier generations to give up their narrow, provincial outlook.
A former Principal of Loyola College, Chennai, and former Research Director at the Indian Social Institute, Bangalore, V. Joseph Xavier, SJ has worked in the field of Higher Education for more than 40 years. He can be reached at: vjosephxaviersj@gmail.com.
Cedric Prakash, SJ, points out the alarming rise all over the world of politicians and parties that do not care for democracy or human rights.
By Cedric Prakash, SJ
Democracy is in peril! There is no doubt about that! We see how democracy (and the values it embodies) is slowly but surely being dismantled in country after country. On 25 September 2022 Giorgia Meloni’s ‘Brothers of Italy’ party won the snap general elections in Italy. The party, which is the most ultra-right-wing party to gain power in Italy since Mussolini’s fascism, is known for its anti-immigrant stand and its disdain for human rights, particularly those of women and of the LGBTQI community.
A few days earlier, there was another shock awaiting the people of Europe: Sweden, once regarded as a bastion of democracy and of liberal values, voted by a slim margin for a right-wing government. Analysts said that the recent vote had been one of the closest in modern times and reflected a desire by Swedes to move in a new direction after decades of centre-left policy-making that has included openness toward asylum seekers, emphasis on individual liberties and adherence to socially liberal ideals. All cherished values of democracy! There are other countries in Europe like Belarus and Hungary that have blatantly shed any pretence of being democracies as authoritarianism has taken over. In Belarus, the elections are openly rigged and civil liberties are throttled. The despotic President there has total control of the military, the judiciary and other institutions that are meant to be independent. Pro-democracy protests and movements are dealt with severely.
It was a black day for democracy, when the U.S. Capitol was ‘invaded’ on 6 January 2021.Donald Trump called his supporters to Washington DC for a ‘Stop the Steal’ rally on the day Congress would count the votes of the Electoral College. No one expected the violence and the mayhem that would take place in the world’s oldest democracy. The world watched with shock and angst. Such a terrible reality could not be happening in the United States and more so, instigated by an outgoing President.
Watching the apparent falling apart of the great American democracy, the world leaders reacted swiftly and strongly. Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor said Mr. Trump bore responsibility for the riot by his supporters. “Unfortunately, President Trump did not accept his defeat since November, not even yesterday, and that has naturally created an environment that enabled such violent events.” Her foreign minister, Heiko Maas, was even more blunt, drawing a parallel with Hitler’s power grab. “Violent actions come from inflammatory words on the steps of the Reichstag and now in the Capitol,” he said, in reference to the burning of republican Germany’s parliament building in 1933. “Disregarding democratic institutions has devastating consequences.”
Democracy in India is in the doldrums too. India attained her independence on 15 August 1947; later the Constituent Assembly gave the people of India a democratic and visionary Constitution, based on the four non-negotiable pillars of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. For years India went to town priding herself of being the world’s largest democracy. But suddenly those very institutions which are meant to be the bulwark of democracy have begun collapsing like a pack of cards.
On 25 September 2022 Giorgia Meloni’s ‘Brothers of Italy’ party won the snap general elections in Italy.
In the recent past, particularly since 2019, there has been a dramatic and drastic erosion in the democratic space in every respect and particularly for dissent in the country; the ordinary citizen has been experiencing this in many brutal ways. The calculated destruction of democratic values and of the rights of the citizens takes place at a frightening regularity. Hate speech is on the rise; the demonization and the denigration of the ‘other’, particularly the minorities, have gained official legitimacy. The perpetrators indulge in verbal and physical violence with impunity, knowing full well that nothing will eventually happen to them. A strategy that has been central to the erosion of democratic space has been the weaponizing of the criminal justice system by the State, to harass and punish those who dare to protest against the anti-people and anti-Constitutional policies and actions of the Government.
The disheartening part, in my opinion, is that the judiciary in India has not sufficiently played the role of being independent, impartial and for ‘the people of India’. Quite a few judges have often acted in a partisan manner and have been reluctant to speak truth to power and restore justice. Earlier, the mainstream media allowed for expression of protest and raised issues of such injustice; unfortunately, today it has become the voice of the State and an important medium to popularise the narrative of the State. Several human rights activists are in jail. Their friends and supporters have built up a campaign for their release and against the use of draconian laws. Scores of people have been detained under various other repressive state laws. This includes journalists, human rights activists, trade union activists and workers, cultural activists, comedians, environmentalists, youth, students, farmers, electricity and industrial workers, and large numbers of minorities, to create a false narrative of internal terrorism and threat to the nation.
It was a black day for democracy, when the U.S. Capitol was ‘invaded’ on 6 January 2021.
Last year a ‘National Campaign to Defend Democracy’ was launched when 165 movements, platforms and organizations, representing thousands of citizens, gave a call for a country-wide action to save our democracy: marking the international day for Indigenous people & Quit India movement day, as a day of Public Action. The action all over the country continued until 28 August with India’s Independence Day (15 August) being the high point, when thousands pledged to campaign for the repeal of draconian laws and to protect our democracy. The Pledge read: “On the occasion of the 75th Independence Day, on 15th August, we pledge to defend the legacy of our Freedom Movement, the spirit of the Preamble and the values of our Constitution. We pledge to campaign for repealing all draconian laws and assert the right to bail of every citizen. We believe that the right to question and the Right to Dissent are the foundation of our democratic, secular and socialist republic. We commit to campaign against all ideologies, laws, and state actions that deprive us of the freedoms of speech and opinion, conscience, association, and to non-violent opposition”.
Strongmen, dictators, those who attempt to destroy democracy and democratic institutions have with them money. They are able to buy up people, silence them, blackmail them. Then there is muscle. They use violence to intimidate, harass, incarcerate and even kill, and the military establishment usually toes their line. They are adept at manipulation of both minds and machines. They have with them the media. ‘Tell a lie a thousand times and people will accept it as the truth.’ That was the dictum of Josef Goebbels, the information minister of Hitler.
Democracy in India and across the world is surely in peril. However, there is hope. ‘We the people’ of India need to do all we can to protect and promote our democracy. As a people we also need to internalize and actualize that prophetic prayer of our Nobel laureate, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore:
“Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;
Where knowledge is free;
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls;
Where words come out from the depth of truth;
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;
Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought and action –
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake”.
Fr. Cedric Prakash, SJ (GUJ) is a well-known human rights, reconciliation and peace activist. He is a writer who writes regularly for Catholic and secular magazines. A recipient of several international and national awards, Cedric is currently engaged in Advocacy work.
Fr. Fio Mascarenhas, SJ, comes up with a letter St. Ignatius is likely to write to his sons on the occasion of Christmas.
By Fio Mascarenhas, SJ
“Dearest 21st century sons, if only I were alive on earth today, I would dance and leap for joy! Several centuries back, with only my naked eyes, I used to love to gaze at the stars every night, and I received much spiritual consolation at the immensity and beauty of the cosmos. So I am very thrilled at today’s new advances on earth in the sciences of astronomy and cosmology. You know that in my Autobiography, I wrote, “The greatest consolation he received was from gazing at the sky and the stars, and this he often did and for quite a long time. The result of all this was that he felt within himself a strong impulse to serve our Lord.”
If I were alive on earth today, I would give even “greater glory to God” on seeing the new photos from the James Webb telescope which one of my sons, the Director of the Vatican Observatory, Br Guy Consolmagno, has described as “jaw-droppingly exciting images offering a tantalising glimpse of what we can learn about the universe in the future; and these new advances in science are a necessary food for the human spirit!”
I know that this telescope was launched on Christmas Day two years ago, and that, as Br Guy writes, “it is our attempt to use our God-given intelligence to understand the logic of the universe. The universe wouldn’t work if it weren’t logical. But as these images show, the universe is not only logical, it is also beautiful! This is God’s creation being revealed to us, and in it we can see both His astonishing power and His love of beauty.” As I wrote 500 years ago, for me too, “The result of all this (star-gazing) was that he felt within himself a strong impulse to serve our Lord.”
I am glad that what the Church has been calling “the Ignatian charism” endures even today, and that millions of my followers are doing small and great things to implement the Lord’s prayer: Thy Kingdom Come! I claim to have been second to none in my personal love for Jesus of Nazareth! Once I was converted from the service of worldly lords and ideals, I became tremendously attached to Christ, my newfound and eternal Lord, in whose service I wished to distinguish myself “like a noble knight.” The name of Jesus meant so much to me that I called my religious family by that name alone; and in my Diary can be found this revealing entry: “I recalled to mind that moment when the Heavenly Father associated me with his Divine Son, and I felt a burning longing that He might engrave deeply within my heart the name of JESUS” (February 23, 1544).
As these images show, the universe is not only logical, it is also beautiful! This is God’s creation being revealed to us, and in it we can see both His astonishing power and His love of beauty.
As I have always taught, the central truths of Christianity will be life-transforming for a Christian only when they have truly affected the heart, and not just the head. Hence, I again encourage you, my Jesuits and their retreatants, daily “to ponder with great affection how much God our Lord has done for me” (Spiritual Exercises, n.234), to “emit a cry of wonder accompanied by surging emotion” (n.60), to “be inflamed with love,” to “experience consolations” and “great fervour,” “to be glad and rejoice intensely” (nn. 15,6,14,221), because Jesus, the Lord and Saviour, loves “me” and calls “me.” I re-iterate forcefully that the whole purpose of human life is “to praise, reverence, and serve God” (n.23), and my favourite phrase regarding the disciple’s response continues to be, “the service and praise of God” (nn.20, 46, 98…).
That many have done just this is part of the happy history of my Society! Men of the calibre of Francis Xavier and Mateo Ricci, Peter Canisius and Robert Bellarmine, Isaac Jogues and John de Brebeauf, Teilhard de Chardin and Karl Rahner, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Pedro Arrupe, recently your own Stan Swamy, and, of course, our dear Pope Francis have served the Church and humanity in every century and continent, and are continuing to do so in exceptional ways, filling roles as humble pastors or great educationists, grass-roots social activists or skilled scientists, doing their best for “the greater glory of God” – also unto martyrdom, for some of them. May your current UAPs (which please me greatly) continue to make all Jesuits Spirit-filled and Spirit-led in the coming months and years!
The name of Jesus meant so much to me that I called my religious family by that name alone; and in my Diary can be found this revealing entry: “I recalled to mind that moment when the Heavenly Father associated me with his Divine Son, and I felt a burning longing that He might engrave deeply within my heart the name of JESUS” (February 23, 1544).
I lovingly remind you that my “Ignatian spirituality” is to be summed up by the motto: “Service in the Church, under the banner of the Cross, for the glory of the Father.” Overwhelmed with zeal for the spread of Christ’s Kingdom, I composed the now well-known prayer of self-offering, noting that you too should pray it “as one would do who is moved by great feeling“(n.234): “Take O Lord, and receive all, my liberty…”
Convinced that “love ought to manifest itself in deeds rather than in words,” I recommend to you, my spiritual children, to ask repeatedly for the grace not only to labour much for the Kingdom in your post-modern secularist world, but also to do it in that same way as Jesus, our Leader, did – “by imitating and being identified with the suffering and humiliated Christ,even bearing all wrongs and all abuse and all poverty” (n.98), should that be God’s will for them.
As background for this recommendation, I think it is right that I remind you of my understanding of the Devil’s strategy: First they are to tempt them to covet riches, that they may the more easily attain the empty honours of this world, and then come to overweening pride. From these three steps the Evil One leads to all other vices.” On the other hand, Christ’s way is to invite humanity to “the highest spiritual, and even actual, poverty (as opposed to riches); then, to insults or contempt (as opposed to the honour of this world); and from these to let spring humility (as opposed to pride). From these three steps, to lead human persons to all other virtues” (nn.142,146).
With a special love for the Blessed Virgin Mary as your own Mother and Queen, I advise you daily to enter, like I did, into a colloquy with Mary.
I remind you also of the need for frequent petitionary prayer as a special characteristic of my spirituality. With a special love for the Blessed Virgin Mary as your own Mother and Queen, I advise you daily to enter, like I did, into a colloquy with Mary, asking her to intercede with and obtain from her Son the graces desired: “an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love him more, and follow him more closely.” This prayer is then to be directed to Jesus, asking him to obtain the same graces from the Father. Finally, as you know, the colloquy is to be directed confidently to the Father himself.
Let me add a final note about “sin.” Your modern psychologists measure human maturity in terms of one’s relationships. The wider and deeper one’s relationships (with God, other human beings, and creation itself), the more is a person judged to be “mature.” In biblical terms as well, a mature person is one who is able spontaneously and consistently to show forth in his life the “fruit of the Spirit” (Gal.5:22), namely, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These “fruit” are relational gifts, for they enable a human person to establish and deepen felicitous relationships with others.
Sin, then, is culpable failure in establishing, maintaining, and deepening one’s relationship with God, with others, and with creation. Remind yourself about this truth, teach it to your people, especially to the youth of your times! Remember that my world-view is of a vast spiritual battlefield where the forces of Good are engaged ceaselessly in a fierce war with the forces of Evil. Insist therefore not only on the need for courage and generosity, but also for wise discernment. To conclude, though I would love to write more, know that my Christmas gift to you from heaven is a special prayer for each of you to receive anew the spirit of Magis!”
Fiorello Mascarenhas, SJ, almost 79 years, soon to celebrate 60 years as a Jesuit, resides in the Retreat House, Mumbai. He is the Emeritus Chairman of the Catholic Bible Institute. He was awarded the Doctor of Ministry degree (Biblical Spirituality) from Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, and was Chairman (1981-1987) of the International Council for Catholic Charismatic Renewal resident in Vatican City. He has visited over 80 countries to preach at Clergy Retreats, Bible Seminars, and Leaders Conferences, and has authored 18 books, several translated into many languages.
In this exclusive interview to INI, Thomas Reese, SJ, an American Jesuit, speaks about democracy, politics and the Church in the United States.
Interview with Thomas Reese, SJ
Thomas Reese, SJ, is an American Jesuit priest, author, and journalist. He worked in Washington as a writer and lobbyist for tax reform from 1975 to 1978. He was an associate editor of America magazine from 1978 to 1985 and editor-in-chief from 1998 to 2005. He was a senior fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center from 1985 to 1998 and 2006 to 2013. He is the author of a trilogy on the organization and politics of the Church: Archbishop: Inside the Power Structure of the American Catholic Church (1989), A Flock of Shepherds: The National Conference of Catholic Bishops (1992), and Inside the Vatican: The Politics and Organization of the Catholic Church (1996). In 2014, Reese was appointed by President Barack Obama to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission that reviews the facts and circumstances of religious freedom violations and makes policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress.
Isn’t it a tragic irony that democracy is under such a serious threat in a country that was seen for decades as the world’s foremost defender and promoter of democracy? What led to this situation?
Democracy is never easy. So are the values of “liberty and justice for all.” Setting one group against another, especially poor whites against Blacks, has been a frequent part of American life. In addition, some liberal elites have a disdain for religious and traditional values, which then causes a kickback.
How is it that Donald Trump has the trust and support of so many Americans even after they saw all that he did and how often he lied during his term as the U.S. President?
His supporters feel threatened and disenfranchised, and he feeds these fears and resentments to the point that they believe he is the only one who can protect them. They are fed lies by him and his supporters in the media. “I want the meanest, toughest SOB I can find to protect this nation,” Southern Baptist pastor Robert Jeffress explained in his 2016 defense of Trump.
Another thing that non-Americans find hard to understand is the number of innocent Americans, including students, who die year after year, as a result of gun violence. You don’t see this anywhere else in the developed or developing world. Why has the country been unable to find a solution to this problem that has been festering for many years?
American TV and movies have, for decades, given us a steady diet of movies where a good guy with a gun defeats bad guys with guns. For many men, having a gun is part of their masculinity. Plus, the National Rifle Association has a good propaganda machine and many members who will vote against any politician wanting to restrict guns.
Let us come to the Church in the U.S. Is it true that the U.S. Church is as hopelessly divided as the American society? Is it true that Trump has the support of a large number of U.S. Catholics, including bishops?
The Catholic vote was split evenly between those supporting Trump and those supporting Biden. Among white Catholics, 57% backed Trump and 42% backed Biden, according to VoteCast. Among Hispanic Catholics, VoteCast shows 67% backed Biden and 32% backed Trump. My guess is that the bishops, who are mostly white, voted like white Catholics. The bishops who got the most media attention were those who attacked Biden for his position on abortion.
Trump’s supporters feel threatened and disenfranchised, and he feeds these fears and resentments to the point that they believe he is the only one who can protect them.
Pope Francis has talked about the power of ideology to make people blind to reality. If it is the ideology that makes the American society and the Church so hopelessly divided, can a majority of Americans be ever mobilized to see and do what is good, what is right for their country and the Church?
In American politics, there are ideologues on the right and the left. Most Americans are more pragmatic, but the ideologues make more noise. Historically, the ideologues overplay their hand and people turn against them, but this can take time.
In the church, the conservative ideologues felt supported by the papacies of John Paul and Benedict. Now they feel betrayed and disenfranchised by Francis. The left, who were silenced and condemned under these papacies, is impatient with Francis because they have an agenda they want him to implement. The average Catholic is more supportive of the liberal agenda, but is also disillusioned by the sex abuse crisis and the clericalism of the clergy.
My guess is that the bishops, who are mostly white, voted like white Catholics.
What percentage of U.S. Catholics would admire Pope Francis and share his vision for the Church?
According to the Pew Research Center, “The pope’s favorability also has remained steady among U.S. Catholics, with 82% of Catholics in both the March 2021 and February 2020 surveys saying they have a favorable opinion of the pope.” There are, however, partisan differences: “In the latest survey, 90% of Catholic Democrats expressed a favorable opinion of the pope, compared with 73% of Catholic Republicans and GOP leaners.”
How did the first and the second phase of the Synod go in the U.S. dioceses?
I am not sure because they have received very little media coverage. One gets the impression that the synodal process is not a priority of the U.S. bishops.
Lastly tell us about American Jesuits and Jesuit institutions. What are the challenges that they face at present?
American Jesuits are enthusiastic for Pope Francis and his agenda, but we are suffering from a lack of vocations. We can no longer staff our schools and other ministries. It is painful to acknowledge that we cannot do all we used to do, let alone do new things. We have to figure out how to hand our institutions over to the laity in a way that continues their mission. Our high schools have been more successful at that than our universities.
This issue, released on Children’s Day, celebrates Christmas, democracy, science and selfless missionaries.
Friends,
Greetings! I am delighted to meet you again digitally. This issue is dated October-December, 2022. Once ‘December’ comes in, it brings along with it things related to the central event in human history – the birth of Jesus. This is why we deliberately delayed this issue of INI. If we ‘send’ it in October, Christmas may look like something that is still far away.
This is why we chose 14 November for the release of this issue. It is right in the middle of the three-month period. It is a day which is observed as ‘Children’s Day’ in India. It was born of the desire of India’s first Prime Minister after the country won political independence from the British. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru wanted his birthday that fell on 14 November to be celebrated as ‘Children’s Day’ every year.
By the way, about a week later, the rest of the world will celebrate Children’s Day, as the UNICEF-sponsored ‘World Children’s Day’ is observed on 20 November.
Children’s Day, whenever it may be celebrated, should remind us of Christmas, a feast that celebrates the birth of a Child.
Won’t it be wonderful to hear from your father for Christmas? In this issue we have an excellent article written by Fr. Fio Mascarenhas, SJ, who has come up with a letter that St. Ignatius would write to his men on the occasion of Christmas.
Have you seen a video poem? It is one of those marvels that are possible only in an online magazine like INI. The poem I have attempted is on Christmas in a world ravaged by a pandemic and a senseless, cruel war and its consequences.
This issue carries two interesting interviews. The interview with Fr. Thomas Reese, SJ, a well-known American journalist and writer, focuses on the plight of democracy in the U.S. It also enlightens readers from other countries who feel puzzled about quite a few things in that great, crazy country. Won’t you agree that the U.S. is undoubtedly great and indisputably crazy? Its greatness comes from the values of its founding fathers. Its craziness comes from the unlimited freedom which the unscrupulous exploit.
The other interview is of a veteran missionary. For nearly a century it was the missionaries from Europe – Jesuits and others – who took it upon themselves to proclaim the good news of Jesus here. The situation has now changed completely. Now it is priests from India who go to all parts of the world to serve in parishes that would otherwise have no pastors, because of the tragic lack of vocations in the West. In the interview, the Indian Jesuit who has completed 50 years as a missionary in Indonesia, talks of his life as a missionary. A remarkable milestone in his missionary life was the magnificent Marian shrine he managed to build in Medan, Indonesia. You must read his interview if you want to find out how he managed to do this in a country that is not his own.
Fr. Cedric Prakash’s article explains why democracy is in peril everywhere. Cedric gives us a list of places where recently parties that stand for democracy, diversity, peace and unity have experienced a shocking set back and how right wing parties, headed by persons who care a hoot for democratic values, have seized power. Today’s news adds one more country to that frightening list – Israel.
In an autobiographical article, Fr. S. Ignacimuthu, SJ, who won recently two awards for his contribution to botany and science in general, explains how he came to acquire a passion for scientific research and how he managed to achieve all he has done in the field of botany.
A writer should know his readers, a speaker his audience. Do our teachers know their students? Do they understand and empathize with them? An article that would be helpful to all educators is the one written by a veteran educator, Fr. V. Joseph Xavier, on the peculiar traits of Gen Z or the Z Generation to which our students belong.
So let this issue of INI reward you with knowledge and understanding as well as pleasure and enjoyment that only reading can provide!
May you and all your dear ones have a blessed, joyous Christmas and a happy, hope-filled 2023!
– M.A. Joe Antony, SJ
