International Ignatian Ecospiritual Conference 2022
In celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Conversion of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, we have undertaken an immersive experience into a conversion of the heart, through the intimate encounter with God in Creation.
Why?
“Everything is related, and we human beings are united as brothers and sisters on a wonderful pilgrimage, woven together by the love God has for each of her creatures and which also unites us in fond affection with brother sun, sister moon, brother river and mother earth.” (LS, n. 92)
With Ignatius’ deep desire for conversion in the Spiritual Exercises, the International Ignatian Ecospiritual Conference in 2022 will seek to encourage a deeper “ecological conversion” through a contemplative immersion experience in Nature in different parts of the world that will lead to reconciliation with Creation.
About the Organisers
Reconciliation with Creation Committee
In line with the Society of Jesus, Universal Apostolic Preference “Collaborating to Care for Our Common Home”, the Australian Jesuit Province in its 2019-24 Apostolic Plan identifies one of the key aspects as, “We commit ourselves to reconciliation with God, with one another and with creation. Hence we commit to embedding reconciliation with creation in all our ministries.” The Reconciliation with Creation Committee is organising the international conference on behalf of the Province.
Central to Laudato Si is the notion of ‘integral ecology’: a new paradigm for justice “which respects our unique place as human beings in this world and our relationship to our surroundings” (LS, n. 15). Indeed, our own Australian Indigenous spiritual tradition holds that their spirituality is ‘a feeling of oneness, of belonging’ and we are interconnected with ‘all that lives and breathes, even with all that does not live and breathe’ (Mudrooroo, 1995, p. 33).
Our 2022 International Ignatian Ecospirituality Conference is an opportunity to explore our sacred interconnectedness with all creation through mindful encounters with nature, reflection, authentic listening and prayer. Opening ourselves up to the ongoing ecological conversion we so desperately need to create a hope-filled future, will also inspire commitment to the creation of structures, policies and ways of proceeding that honour and nourish the web of relationships in which we all exist.
The Reconciliation with Creation Committee of the Australian Jesuit Province invites you to consider supporting the 2022 IIEC through prayer, sponsorship & attendance. As we celebrate Ignatius’ 500th anniversary of his conversion, let us all embrace this transformation as Ignatius embraced it, trusting in the Spirit that guides us.
Dr Peter Saunders
Conference Organising Committee Member
I am a spiritual director in the Ignatian tradition, a director of the Spiritual Exercises, a psychotherapist and a bushwalker. As a therapist and spiritual director I have been interested in how conversion occurs in a person’s life.
As a bushwalker I have had my own conversion experiences where being in the Australian wilderness became more than just a bush walk, but a time of prayer whereby I encountered the Presence that is God in Nature. This is a living Presence, a mystical Presence that makes me aware of how everything is connected in our Earth, in our Solar System, in our Milky Way Galaxy, in our Universe. We are made of the stardust of a supernova. We are evolving just as the universe and life on Earth has been evolving. God is present in all of this calling us into deep connection with everything.
The International Ignatian Ecospiritual Conference has emerged from the intertwining of Ignatian spirituality and Pope Francis’ Laudato Si. Ignatius was deeply moved by his experiences in Nature that affected his soul.
“We frequently saw him [Ignatius] taking the occasion of little things to lift his mind to God, who even in the smallest things is great. From seeing a plant, foliage, a leaf, a flower, any fruit, from theconsideration of a little worm or any other animal, he raised himself above the heavens and penetrated the deepest thought.” Ribadeneira on Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556)
“It was his [Ignatius] greatest consolation to gaze upon the heavens and the stars, which he often did, and for long stretches at a time, because when doing so he felt within himself a powerful urge to be serving our Lord.” (Autobiography of St Ignatius of Loyola)
In the Spiritual Exercises, particularly in the Fourth Week, praying the Contemplatio the one making the Exercises is asked to reflect on the gift of the Presence that is God in Nature that they have experienced in their life that brings forth gratitude. Ignatius, a man who lived close to Nature during his life, is encouraging that spiritual connection with God in Creation in the Spiritual Exercises. In a similar way Pope Francis, also a Jesuit, is encouraging that same spiritual connection with all Creation, in Laudato Si, through ecological conversion that leads to a deep desire for each person to be reconciled with Mother Earth.
“[Earth] our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us.” (LS, n. 2)
How are you being invited to be with God in Nature?
How will you want to be part of reconciliation with Creation in your life?
We will be fortunate to have some keynote speakers to inspire participants. This includes:
Xavier Jeyaraj SJ - Secretary for Social Justice and Ecology for the Society of Jesus in the World. He has a key role in the Society of Jesus’ of implementing the Universal Apostolic Preference – Caring for Our Common Home across the world.
Dr. Lesley Hughes - Distinguished Professor of Biology and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Integrity & Development) at Macquarie University. She is also a member of the Climate Council and has been a lead author of the IPCC international reports on climate change.
Sherry Balcombe - Co-ordinator of Aboriginal Catholic Ministry of the Archdiocese of Melbourne. She is a Western Yalanji, Djabaguy/Okola woman from Far North Queensland who was born on Wurrundjeri Country in Melbourne, Victoria. Her role as Co-ordinator consists of bringing awareness and educating about Aboriginal Peoples. She educates people in the areas of Australian Aboriginal history, Aboriginal spirituality, and Aboriginal injustice.
Tony Rinaudo - World Vision. He has pioneered new ways of simple, low cost, scalable methods of reforestation known as FMNR (Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration).
Pedro Walpole SJ - The co-ordinator of Ecojesuit that aims to encourage commitment to reconciliation with Creation across all the Society of Jesus. He also offers an immersion experience in Mindanao, Phillipines to teach participants the practical aspects of Laudato Si, caring for our common home.
We hope you will join us during this time of celebration and contemplation for a deeper conversion of the heart.