Jesuits throughout the world are remembering the 100th anniversary of Father Pedro Arrupe, SJ, the 28th superior general of the Jesuits who died in 1991. Father Arrupe is considered to be one of the most influential Jesuits in the history of the Society. As General, he led the Society through the renewal that followed Vatican II.He is held in highest esteem by Jesuits for his courage, his leadership and his vision. The Jesuit community at Seattle University bears his name, Arrupe Jesuit Community, and the classroom wing at Jesuit High is named after him as well.
It was a gift to be with the Jesuits of Lusaka as they remembered him. Last night we gathered and told stories of meeting him and the ways that he touched our lives. The missionary Jesuits had recollections of his visits to Zambia and the vision he had that established the African Assistancy, created the Zambia/Malawi province, and founded the Jesuit Refugee Service. He was a man of very deep spirituality and he had a passionate love of God and the service of God’s people.
He was a personal witness of Hiroshima and that event touched him deeply. He brought the Jesuits into the modern age with the emphasis on faith and justice, the purpose of Jesuit education being “persons for others,” and helped us rediscover our Ignatian roots.
In addition to all these qualities he was a man who truly loved the Society of Jesus and his companions. Many stories told of his humor and the ways that he could set people at ease with his personal charism. We commented on how fortunate we were to have him as General and then to have Father Kolvenbach succeed him. Join us as we pray for the wisdom in the selection of the 30th superior general during the coming congregation that will meet in January in Rome.
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