MY MONTH-LONG IGNATIAN EXPERIMENT

 

MY MONTH-LONG IGNATIAN EXPERIMENT

During my Tertianship, I had the privilege of spending a month at St. Joseph’s Home for the Elderly in Balangoda as part of my Ignatian experiment in December 2024. The home is run by the Holy Angels Congregation, an order founded by Rt. Rev. Joseph Van Reeth S.J., the first Bishop of Galle. Established in 1903, this Indigenous Catholic congregation is committed to serving underprivileged communities in Sri Lanka. This connection provided a sense of continuity and depth to my Jesuit experience journey.

St. Joseph’s Home accommodates 55 elderly residents, supported by ten staff members and four dedicated sisters from the congregation. While the home primarily serves elders, only five of the residents were significantly ill or incapacitated. The majority remain primarily independent, managing their daily needs with minimal assistance.

Attached to the home is a parish serving 650 families, with 15 substations under the care of three parish priests. Notably, this parish was initially established by a Jesuit, Fr. Albert Stache S.J. A school wing named in his honour still stands, bearing witness to his enduring contributions. However, this year marked a poignant transition as the two Jesuit parishes in the area were officially handed over to the diocese, signalling the end of Jesuit presence in the region—a loss profoundly felt by the local community. The predominantly Buddhist surroundings created a distinctive and enriching space for interfaith engagement and shared understanding, adding depth to the ministry.

My days revolved around a structured yet simple routine centred on manual work such as cleaning, washing, and gardening. I also assisted in serving meals to the residents and celebrated the Eucharist in Sinhala each evening. While the mornings were allotted to tasks, the afternoons provided opportunities for deeper connections. I chose to spend this time sitting with the elders – listening to their stories, sharing in their joys and struggles, and offering the quiet yet meaningful gift of presence.

Living alongside the sisters of the Holy Angels Congregation was one of the most inspiring aspects of this experiment. Their simplicity, humility, and unwavering commitment to the residents left a profound mark on me. The grace I had sought during my long retreat— to grow in humility and simplicity— found its fulfilment through living with these sisters. In their ordinary yet grace-filled lives, I saw the quiet beauty of the virtues I longed to cultivate. These sisters were indeed of a different breed - a holy breed, as I came to see them. Their cheerfulness and contentment reflected a deep inner joy, and their lives stood as a silent testament to the beauty of simplicity. They owned no personal mobile phones or laptops and ate simple meals, yet they seemed so fulfilled. I admired the respect and affection they commanded from the local community, a testament to their silent yet powerful presence in ministry.

The home relies almost entirely on donations, and the sisters pray daily for their benefactors. On certain days, they even go door to door, humbly requesting assistance. As I perused the donation register, I was struck by the generosity of the local Buddhist community, whose contributions far exceeded those of others. Buddhist observances, such as Poya days, often attracted the most donors and were accompanied by acts of service—even the local barber offered free haircuts. It was a powerful reminder that compassion knows no religious boundaries. Experiencing this generosity firsthand strengthened my faith and opened my heart to the quiet yet profound ways in which God’s love flows through people of all backgrounds.

Manual work was physically demanding, yet it was not the most challenging aspect. The true challenge lay in being present with the elders. Many of them yearned for someone to listen—a presence more precious than food or physical care. Despite language barriers, I sat with them, holding hands, smiling, and sharing quiet moments. Five of them spoke some English, but even in the absence of words, the human connection resonated louder.

What struck me most during Christmas was the absence of family. Many residents had no visitors, and their quiet loneliness highlighted the reality that often accompanies old age. It made me reflect deeply on the vulnerabilities of life and my journey toward aging. Will I have the grace to accept dependence when the time comes? The elderly at St. Joseph’s served as a powerful reminder that, one day, we will all need others to care for us. In their frailty, I saw the face of Christ, gently inviting me to grow in compassion, humility and patience.

One of the most profound moments during my time at St. Joseph’s was the privilege of administering the last sacrament to an elderly resident. This was my first experience performing this sacred rite, and it left an indelible mark on my spirit. As I anointed him and prayed, I noticed tears in his eyes—a moment of deep peace and connection, as if he had been waiting for this encounter with Christ before his passing. Soon after receiving the sacrament, he passed away. This sacred moment was not merely an act of ministry but a profound spiritual experience. It reminded me of the transformative power of the sacraments and the deep hunger many have for Jesus, even in their final moments. Witnessing this moment of grace strengthened my faith and commitment to serving with compassion, love, and humility.

One of the most touching moments occurred on my last day. As I prepared to leave, an elderly woman approached me and said, “Father, henceforth, we shall miss daily Mass.” I had expected her to say she would miss me, but her words revealed something far more profound - a longing for the Eucharist and spiritual nourishment.

The opportunity to celebrate daily Mass in Sinhala, including leading the Eucharistic Prayer during the Christmas vigil in the parish, was a privilege I cherished deeply. Although Sinhala is not my native language, I felt a profound connection in offering the sacraments in a way that resonated with the elders. For them, who were used to having Mass only twice a week, this was a gift, while for me, it was a humbling experience of how God works through us, even across language and cultural boundaries and differences.

This Ignatian experiment was not merely a ministry assignment; it was a journey of the heart. I departed from St. Joseph’s with a fuller spirit, grateful for the lessons I learned from the sisters and elders, as well as the hidden graces of daily life.

-       Wilson Moras SJ (Kar)