Magis Jesuit event for young adults
After a great pilgrimage to Poland last summer as part of preparations for World Youth Day, the Irish Jesuits are organising another Magis (more or greater) event this summer for young adults aged 18-35. Taking place in Ireland from 22 – 29 July, 2017, participants can choose between 2 options: a pilgrimage from Dublin to Glendalough or a faith and ecology experience in Wicklow Town. The group will be joined by other young people from Europe.
All participants will first gather at St. Raphaela’s Kilmacud, Dublin, where the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart will welcome them. Organiser Niall Leahy SJ says, “It is a chance just to meet everyone and relax together before the week’s activities begin”. The pilgrimage group will hike along the Wicklow Way and take a day’s break in Glendalough before returning to Dublin. Niall says, “As you know the landscape on the Wicklow Way is spectacular. A pilgrimage like this offers people both quality time with others and by themselves. Walking and talking with the same people every day is a chance to hear how God has been working in each other’s lives and by the end of the week pilgrims will have a clearer sense of how God is present and acting in their own lives. The Fermanagh-born Jesuit Brendan McManus SJ will lead the way”.
Regarding the faith and ecology experience, the main activity will be working at An Tairseach, the organic farm run by the Dominican sisters. In the afternoons there will be some input on a number of environmental issues, including Pope Francis’s encyclical on the environment Laudato Si, and there will be opportunities to discuss how to respond as individuals and as communities. “We will make a big effort to live sustainably during the week and pick up good skills and habits from each other,” says Niall, “and the house where we will stay is within walking distance from a beautiful beach so there will be a chance to swim too!” The experience will be lead by Leon O’Giollain SJ, Catherine Devitt from JCFJ and Sr. Marta Heleno aci.
After the experiences, the whole group will meet at St. Francis Xavier’s, Gardiner Street, Dublin, where the parish will welcome them with a BBQ. The Magis group will help animate the Saturday evening mass. Niall concludes, “The week will finish with a time of music and Eucharistic adoration, when with grateful hearts we will give thanks for the wonders that God will have done during the week”.
Those who are interested in this Magis event can get in touch with Niall Leahy SJ at [email protected]. The cost is €140 for those who are employed and €100 for students or unemployed. An information flier will be available to print out soon.
