The paper commemorating the 25th anniversary of The Beijing Center for Chinese Studies (TBC) finds itself showcased within the pages of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific’s 2024 Annual Report. TBC stands out as a Jesuit institution dedicated to higher education and research, facilitating East-West dialogue and cultural exchange for a quarter of a century.
The 2024 edition of Jesuits in Asia Pacific, the annual report of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP), is now released as a fully digital publication. Readers have the choice between accessing the interactive magazine through their web browsers or downloading the PDF version for offline reading.
This year’s magazine encompasses stories from various provinces and regions of the conference, including the 125th anniversary of the first Jesuit mission in Timor-Leste, written by Fr Joaquim Sarmento SJ, former Regional Superior and the first Jesuit to be born in Soibada, the place where the Jesuit mission in the country first took root.
In strengthening our mission in the Chinese Province, Tien Educational Center in Taipei, Taiwan has served as a nurturing haven for 60 years, fostering growth for women and men, the elderly and youth, people of diverse faiths or none, as well as local and international guests. Meanwhile, The Beijing Center for Chinese Studies stands out as a Jesuit institution dedicated to higher education and research, facilitating East-West dialogue and cultural exchange for 25 years.
The meeting of Eastern and Western cultures likewise constitutes the core of the identity and tradition of Elisabeth University of Music in Hiroshima, Japan, founded 75 years ago by Belgian missionary Fr Ernest Goossens SJ to impart through music a message of peace and inner healing for survivors of the atomic bomb.
In Indonesia, the Jesuit publishing house, PT Kanisius, welcomes the challenge of rejuvenation at its century-old milestone, embracing modern management practices while staying rooted in Ignatian Spirituality. In Indonesia’s history, PT Kanisius played a crucial role in the “Indonesianization” process, publishing books in the Indonesian language and printing the country’s first legal currency.
A significant moment for the Australian Province and Timor-Leste Region was the visit of Fr General Arturo Sosa SJ at the start of the year. His visits serve as opportunities to engage with Jesuits and collaborators, learning from them about the life of the Society of Jesus in this part of the world.
On the conference level, JCAP Socius Fr Greg Soetomo SJ reflects on the “discerning leadership” of former JCAP President Fr Tony Moreno SJ and the developments in the conference during his term. He looks to the future, with new President Fr Jun Viray SJ leading the journey of the conference as a synodal body “prepared to embrace surprises in our mission, eager to discern God’s will, and committed to allowing the Spirit to guide us towards a life of fullness and freedom”.
Finally, Fr Viray pens his first message for the annual report as JCAP president, highlighting important changes within the conference and the global Society of Jesus. He invites Jesuits and mission partners in Asia Pacific to “further deepen our faith and hope” and to seek consolation “through prayer, discernment in common, and concrete action”.
Read Jesuits in Asia Pacific online or download the PDF version (for the complete interactive experience, open with Adobe Acrobat Reader).
Art often bridges the past and present, connecting us to centuries-old traditions while sparking deeply personal creativity. My recent experience in a Chinese Arts and Culture class beautifully encapsulated this idea.
Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in a volunteering activity that left a deep impression on me. It was a day dedicated to cultural exchange, creativity, and a wonderful reminder of the vibrancy of tradition — both Chinese and beyond.