Experiences

Artisans and builders of our common home

“You are called to become artisans and builders of our common home, a common home that is falling into ruin”. These words of Pope Francis still resounding in the ears of the young economists, entrepreneurs and changemakers who gathered in Assisi from the 22nd till the 24th of September to participate in the world event “Economy of Francesco” (EoF).

More than 1000 participants from more than 100 countries joined this event, initially planned to be held in March 2020 and then held online in November 2020 and October 2021… Read more »

Caring for Our Common Home

The church has often been criticized of not being on the ball in terms of ecology and the safeguard of our planet. Traditionally, environmentalists were viewed as focusing too much on worldly matters, disregarding the ultimate importance of eternity.

Yet, this has been changing, especially in light of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si. Taking care of this great gift we get to call ‘home’ is a duty of each and every Catholic and is becoming an ever more pressing issue as we witness the devastating effects of our anthropogenic activities… Read more »

The war in Israel – a story of injustice and terror

“I’m Dina, I am proud to have lived through these hardships, I am proud to be Palestinian”

The world watches as fighting continues to escalate between Israel and Hamas, the militant group that runs the Gaza strip. This war, which has been raging for eight days, has already killed 192 people, including 58 innocent children.

Tension between Israel and Gaza has been escalating for months… Read more »

Justice and Faith

André P. DeBattista

One of Pope John Paul II’s most impressive speeches  was in Agrigento, Sicily when on May 9, 1993 he categorically condemned the mafia and all associations related to the mafia. He described the Sicilians as a people who love and cherish life and who, therefore, cannot live in the shadow of an organization that promotes the culture of death… Read more »

The Economy of Francesco

A prolific time for generative processes

The ‘Economy of Francesco’, virtually held in Assisi from 19th to 21st November 2020 left an important legacy of hope with thousands of young economists, entrepreneurs and change-makers from 115 countries committed to stop “that economy that kills” and to generate a new cultural, economic, social and political system. Those three days were rich in points of reflections, coming from different seminars and workshops… Read more »

Xandru’s experience

“Everything is about linking the Gospel to life” Rutilio Grande SJ preached in one of his last homilies, a few months before he was assassinated. “Faith only became real in action – faith was never only an idea…the Gospel is closely linked to your life.” These words of a man well on the way to being made a saint of the Catholic Church are, for me, a timeless call to action… Read more »

Lara’s experience

From the first day at sixth form the slogan ‘Men and women for others’ was constantly repeated and emphasised, reiterated during some lessons and speeches. It is a quote taken from Fr Pedro Arrupe SJ, highlighting the importance of social awareness. The ‘others’ he mentions involves every human being, especially those who have been ‘othered’ by society such as migrants.

Currently, it is relatively easier to be individualistic, to aim towards self-interest rather than the interest of society as a whole… Read more »