News and Views from Arrupe House Jesuit Tertianship Sri Lanka

 There has been a tradition that tertians visit a tea factory and this year too as a part of the programme we visited “ Orange Field Tea Factory”. On the 23rd of January 2024 , I had the privilege of visiting the Orange Field Tea Factory, an experience that left an indelible mark on my heart and soul. Stepping into this sanctuary of craftsmanship and tradition, I was immediately struck by the reverence with which every aspect of tea-making is approached. As I wandered through the corridors of the factory, I couldn't help but reflect on the principles of St. Ignatian spirituality, particularly the Principle and Foundation, which reminds us that God created all things on earth to help fulfill the purpose of praising, reverencing, and serving God, and ultimately, to save our souls. This principle calls us to use the things of this world only to the extent that they aid us in this purpose, and to rid ourselves of anything that obstructs it. In the context of the Orange Field Tea ...

My Tertianship experience at Kandy can be summed up as an imagery of an ordinary water plant. Even a small twig pruned from a tree and planted in a water bottle comes to life. Tertianship is a time to be pruned and to be planted. The weather, the ambience, the campus, and the surroundings are conducive to the holistic growth of an individual, meeting one's basic needs. The food is delicious and is filled with a lot of variety. Though struggling economically, the country and the province of Sri Lanka are very hospitable and warmly welcoming. The companionship of fellow Tertians guided by the Directors, who are, in fact, our elder brothers, provide constant spiritual accompaniment that gives greater meaning and a sense of common purpose.  The Retreat and the Experiment give you an occasion once again to have a personal experience of the Ignatian tradition. There is sufficient time for familiarity with the sources throughout the program. There is a whole world outside our window, and ...

Welcome! Hello friends! Welcome to Arrupe House News and Views. This space is for the Jesuit Tertians at Arrupe House Jesuit Tertianship in Sri Lanka to share their news and experiences during the Tertianship programme. We are at the end of the programme at the 'diaspora tertianship' at DNC Pune, and already looking forward to the next batch of Tertians (2023-24) in Sri Lanka. The seventeen names of the would-be Tertians have come already, and it is more or less clear that the instructors will be Willie and me (Sajeev) with the assistance of the veteran Fr Baylen. I'm hoping that this blog is up for a great start, but will have to wait till September 2023, when we will actually come together. In the meantime, Willie and I are holding all of you in an embrace of prayer and love.