‘Magis’ – learning more

Thirteen volunteers, some from Galway and Donegal, took part in the Slí Eile (Jesuit Outreach to Young Adults) ‘Magis experience’, working with the homeless in Dublin, from 29 to 31 January. According to Noelle Fitzpatrick of Slí Eile (pictured here), the Magis experience is ”a programme with practical action for social justice, wrapped around personal and communal prayer and reflection. ‘Magis’ means ‘more’ in latin and the immersion experience helps young people to consider the ‘more’ of their lives.” She says it’s not an easy weekend as people are nudged out of their comfort zones, but as they reflect on the experience many discover an ’empathy with’ rather than a ‘sympathy for’ the people they meet, along with a growth in self-awareness. A series of Magis experiences on the topics of alcohol abuse, disability and refugees will take place before June 2010.