Ecology and Spirituality
Xavier de Bénazé SJ will soon be visiting Dublin and hosting a number of lectures and retreats in the first two weeks of September. Xavier is a French Jesuit who has dedicated his life to working at the intersection of spirituality, ecology, and social justice. He grew up in a Catholic family in Marseille, France, where he was influenced by the values of social justice and concern for the poor.
Xavier will arrive in Dublin on Monday 9 September, 2024. On Tuesday 10 September he will deliver an evening lecture in the Arrupe room at 7pm in the Irish Jesuit Provincialate, in Milltown Park, Ranelagh, Dublin 6. All are welcome to attend.
Xavier will then conduct a three-day EcoSpirituality retreat from Sunday 15 September – Wednesday 18 September at Manresa Jesuit Centre of Spirituality, Clontarf, Dublin 3. The key theme of the retreat is integrating ecology and spirituality. There are still some places left on the retreat. For further information or to reserve a place please click here.>>
Following that Xavier will attend Maynooth College to give two talks. The first takes place at 4pm specifically for postgraduates. The theme of this talk is “Transforming Education – to hope, think and act in creation”. And at 7.30pm he will host a public lecture on the topic “Developing EcoSpirituality – to hope and act in creation”.
On Saturday 21 September, Xavier will visit the Belfast Jesuit Centre. He will be participating in an arranged ecology session there.
Xavier pursued studies in agricultural engineering, which led him to Cameroon for a year as part of a development program run by the European Union. This experience ignited his passion for sustainable development and social justice.
He was recently appointed EOF (Europe Occidental Francophone) Province coordinator of ‘Spiritual Eco-centre’ at Le Châtelard, Francheville, Lyon. (Previous role as Delegate for Ecological Transition).
