Becoming a religious in today’s context is often a radical and difficult decision. To help young men in their discernment and to give them a taste of the life of the novitiate of the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits of Canada have set up a house of discernment, first in Toronto (2019–2020) and then in Montreal (2020–2021).

The Ignatius Old-Growth Forest is one of the ministries of the Ignatius Jesuit Centre. It consists of nearly 100 protected acres of trails, forests, meadows, wetlands, and waterways that are home to a rich biodiversity of plant and animal life north of Guelph, Ontario. The project encourages the sharing of the sacredness of creation through spiritual development, education, community encouragement, and the care and management of the land.

On Friday, September 4, Jesuits, family, and friends gathered at Guelph to say a final goodbye to those Jesuits who died during these past few difficult, COVID-filled months. The cremated remains of George O’Neill, Mike Hawkins, Peter Larisey, Norm Dodge, FX Johnson, Charlie Sitter, Mike Murray, and Joe Frechette were laid to rest in the Jesuit Cemetery on the grounds of the Ignatius Jesuit Centre following the celebration of a memorial Mass at Holy Rosary Church, presided over by the Provincial.

The pandemic has forced the closure of parishes and other churches across Canada. Although lockdown restrictions continue to be eased and churches are now open, health regulations remain in place and a likely second wave of COVID-19 is expected. How can we reach parishioners and other people of faith in this context?

“I wanted to give it a try. Everything seems impossible until you try.” The journey of William Mbilinyi, SJ, from his native Tanzania to his first vows at Villa Saint-Martin, is filled with acts of faith... and great bursts of laughter. When he arrived in Canada in 2015 to begin a master’s degree in theology, nothing prepared him to enter the Society of Jesus; on the contrary! And yet, he has just pronounced his first vows and is now a scholastic.

On being a Jesuit: “It is the most exciting vocation that I can think of,” says Monet. ‘There has not been one dull moment in my life.”

When meeting husband and wife Bruno Arnold and Eleanor Fulcher, one might think they are another handsome and successful Toronto power couple; while the terms faithful and active Catholic parishioners might not come to mind.

The last few months were a time when it was easy to become hopeless and to despair. But we must always remember there is always hope.

The new issue Canadian Jesuits is now out! This issue presents the work of Jesuit apostolates during COVID-19 and focuses on one of the Universal Apostolic Preferences of the Society of Jesus: to accompany young people in the creation of a future of hope.

It’s a challenge for believers to formulate their ideas in ways that non-believers can understand them, and vice versa. But we have shown that it is possible, nourishing and inventive,” said Jean-Claude Ravet, the former editor-in-chief of the Relations magazine, published by the Centre justice et foi. Free and independent, this magazine offers a critical look at the major social, cultural, economic, political, environmental and religious issues of our time in dialogue with Quebec’s secular society. But how can a magazine founded by Jesuits present itself as a relevant voice today?

This past August 15th the Jesuit infirmary in Pickering, Ontario, celebrated its 50th anniversary. The Jesuits there have received the mission from the provincial superior orat pro Societate et Ecclesiae, “to pray for the Society of Jesus and the Church.”

William Mbilinyi, SJ, professed first vows of poverty, chastity and obedience last August 16, 2020 at the Villa Saint Martin in Montreal. The First Vows Mass was presided by Fr. Erik Oland, provincial of the Jesuits of Canada, and concelebrated by Fr. Gabriel Coté, SJ, and deacon Jean Franky Guerrier, SJ.