We are sharing an emergency appeal published in the infosj.es, the news channel of the Spanish Jesuit Province, calling for solidarity with the communities affected by the devastating floods in Nepal. Through their partners on the ground, the Jesuit network is accompanying those affected and supporting an emergency response focused on their most urgent needs. On 26 August, severe flooding struck Nepal and the neighbouring Tibetan region, causing widespread damage to homes, bridges and other infrastructure. In Nepal, the floods particularly affected the Rasuwa district, including the communities of Timure and Syabrubesi, before moving south along the Trishuli River. Thousands of people continue to face the consequences of the disaster. According to the latest information available, at least 903 people have died in Nepal and a further five in Tibet, while more than 4,000 people remain unaccounted for on both sides of the border. Damage to roads, communications and electricity supplies is making search-and-rescue operations and access to some affected areas particularly difficult. The emergency is also having a significant impact on access to education. Nepal’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has reported damage to 20 schools in the districts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading. Across the country, the United Nations estimates that at least 69 educational facilities have been destroyed or damaged, affecting around 19,000 children and young people. In response to the scale of the disaster, Entreculturas and Alboan, two organisations within the Jesuit social and educational network in Spain, have launched an emergency response to support affected communities and help address their most urgent needs. In Nepal, they are working with the Nepal Jesuit Social Institute–Fe y Alegría (NJSI-FyA), an organisation that emerged following the devastating earthquake that struck the country in 2015. During the earthquake response, almost 45 public schools were repaired or rebuilt, and since 2021 Fe y Alegría has had a formal presence in Nepal, supporting education and community development in rural areas. In the first days of the current emergency, NJSI-FyA has been coordinating with local authorities and other organisations, gathering information about the situation of affected communities and assessing damage to roads and schools. Teams are also carrying out direct assessments on the ground to identify the most urgent needs. These assessments have highlighted priorities including food, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, healthcare, protection and continuity of education. There is also an immediate need for mattresses, blankets and sheets, tarpaulins, mosquito nets, clothing, essential medicines, menstrual hygiene products and first-aid kits. In Dhading, an initial emergency response is already being organised, including the distribution of essential relief materials. So far, schools linked to NJSI-FyA have not suffered major direct damage from the floods. However, in districts such as Dhading, where NJSI-FyA operates two schools, and Sindhupalchowk, damage to roads and interruptions to electricity and communications are making travel and contact with some families difficult. The Jesuit network in Nepal continues to monitor the situation and coordinate with local authorities and other organisations to shape a response based on the needs identified on the ground. The focus is not only on the immediate emergency but also on accompanying communities throughout the different stages of recovery. The effects of a disaster of this scale will last well beyond the first days, and rebuilding communities and infrastructure will require time, resources and sustained support. Entreculturas and Alboan will continue working with their partners in Nepal to respond to emerging needs and accompany communities as they recover. Their appeal is for continued solidarity so that assistance can reach the people and communities most affected. Support the emergency response in Nepal:emergencias-sj.org – Nepal emergency appeal

Daniel Weber SJ is a young Jesuit priest from the ECE Province studying for a Master's in Democracy at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (Brussels) and living in the international community of St. Benedict in the city. As part of his studies, Daniel had to do an internship in a civil society organization. Through the JRS European Office, he found the opportunity to do it at JRS Greece, in direct contact with the reality of migration in that country. The whole experience shows the enormous possibilities of the Conference’s structures to support the formation and apostolic specialization of young Jesuits. Here we have his testimony of the experience. The Acts of the Apostles recount how Paul proclaimed the “unknown God” to the Athenians in the Agora (Acts 17:16–34). His proclamation did not begin by rejecting their existing beliefs, but by first looking attentively at the people before him. He took their deepest longings seriously and connected them with the message of the Gospel. Longing is an essential part of what it means to be human. It opens us to what gives our lives meaning and direction. We long for love, freedom, security, purpose, and a life lived in dignity. These longings unite people across cultures, languages, and life stories. During my internship with the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) in Athens, I encounter people every day whose lives are shaped by these longings. I meet refugees who hope for peace, for a safe life in Europe, for the opportunity to support their families financially, or to offer their children a better future. I also meet volunteers from all over the world who dedicate their time and talents to serving others, as well as Jesuit companions who are living out their vocation here. As different as their backgrounds may be, they are all united by the desire for a life filled with meaning and hope. In these encounters, I discover anew each day what lies at the heart of JRS. Our mission is not to solve every problem. Rather, we seek to create spaces where people's deepest longings are taken seriously and where hope can grow. Often, transformation begins with something very simple: someone who listens, offers their time, extends a hand, and encounters another person in their inherent dignity. In this way, the longing for community becomes genuine encounter, the longing for security becomes trust, and the longing for a future becomes a new horizon of hope. As I accompany others on their journey, I realize that I, too, am being transformed. Encountering people and listening to their deepest longings changes the way I see my own life. I find myself rediscovering what I am searching for, what gives direction to my life, and who ultimately fulfills the deepest longing of my heart. Gradually, I come to understand more fully what Paul wanted to reveal to the Athenians in the Agora: ἐν αὐτῷ γὰρ ζῶμεν καὶ κινούμεθα καὶ ἐσμέν.“For in him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28) Daniel Weber, SJ

From July 27th to July 31st, the meeting of the JCEP Eurogroup of Jesuit Brothers took place in Gdynia, Poland. Twenty Jesuit brothers from different JCEP provinces—accompanied by the JCEP Socius—gathered to reflect on the vocation of the Jesuit brother and share their experiences. The meeting was organized by Théophile Desarmeaux (EOF), who was in charge of the program and sessions, and Damian Wojciechowski (PMA), who handled the logistics. The meeting alternated between moments of exchange and reflection and more casual time spent together, including several cultural visits. There were opportunities for personal prayer and spiritual conversation about each brother's current experience in his province, as well as time set aside to reflect on the vocation of the Jesuit brother—contributing to the ongoing reflection within the International Commission of Jesuit Brothers. The group also spent time discussing the activities and projects of the JCEP. Additionally, we took time to visit Gdańsk and Gdynia, and to walk in the forest near the Jesuit community. This informal time spent together was very helpful for getting to know each other better and sharing personal experiences. Along with daily personal prayer and the Eucharist, a daily hour of Eucharistic adoration added spiritual depth to the meeting. The time spent together reaffirmed the importance of having this dedicated space, given that the number of brothers in any single province is relatively small. In this regard, it was clear that the Conference level is the perfect setting for these occasions. At the same time, these exchanges allowed everyone to reaffirm the enormous value of the vocation of Jesuit brothers as a symbol for the entire Society of Jesus of the foundational role of service, as well as the vital contribution brothers make in fostering welcoming and hospitality within the Society.

The Jesuit community in Ankara, Turkey is one of the communities under the direct responsibility of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials (JCEP). Jean-Marc Balhan SJ currently serves as the Superior of the community. In the following article, the community in Turkey shares a glimpse of its recent activities, daily life and experiences, as well as some of the people and communities it accompanies. In Turkey, the Jesuits are primarily at the service of the local Church, particularly through the parish in Ankara and in other places. Christian formation for young adults, in various forms, has a particularly important place in our mission. We also occasionally accompany members of the local clergy. More recently, we have also been accompanying a number of young people who are discerning a possible vocation. Alexis is the parish priest of Ankara and also visits the Christian community in Eskişehir. He collaborates with the television channel SAT-7, where he offers programmes introducing viewers to the Catholic Church and the Christian faith. Changmo, who has just returned from his third year in Lebanon, has resumed his service in the parish, particularly among young people. He also takes great joy in welcoming the many visitors who come through our doors during the afternoons. Michael, meanwhile, remains faithful to his writing projects and to the international Christian community in Ankara. From time to time, he travels to Ireland to celebrate anniversaries—his own 80th birthday, or that of one of his brothers, who recently turned 90! Jean-Marc focuses primarily on accompaniment and is often on the road, leading various sessions and retreats, while also making regular visits to the Christian community in Konya. At times, he is also in the air, travelling for other missions, such as teaching and giving sessions on Islam at the Facultés Loyola Paris (FLP) or during “Jesuit Weeks” organised by EOF. On other occasions, his travels take him abroad to represent the Church in Turkey—or to deepen his own skills in facilitating communal discernment! In June, our major superior, Dalibor Renić, came to visit us. During his visit, we also took a day off to explore the ancient city of Gordion, the former capital of the Phrygians, who dominated Anatolia in the 8th century BC after the Hittites. Since then, we have become experts on King Midas, who was said to turn everything he touched into gold, and on Alexander the Great, who, after cutting the famous “Gordian Knot” with his sword, went on to become master of Asia! In the photo, we are standing in front of the entrance to a royal tomb, dug into one of the largest burial mounds in the region. In October, we will welcome an even more important visitor—but we will tell you more about that next time. Until then, we wish you all a wonderful summer!

The International Relations Officers of the Kircher Network play an important role in strengthening international cooperation among Jesuit higher education institutions, facilitating the exchange of good practices, developing joint initiatives and identifying opportunities for collaboration across the network and beyond. Their meeting in Krakow on 6–7 July provided an opportunity to reflect on ongoing cooperation and explore new ways of connecting institutions, particularly through Erasmus+ programmes and other international initiatives. The Kircher Network’s International Relations Officers gathered in Krakow on July 6–7, hosted by Ignatianum University, to share experiences, exchange good practices, and explore new opportunities for collaboration across the network. The meeting highlighted lessons learned from Erasmus Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) and advanced preparations for the 2027 Erasmus BIP Student Study Week in Brussels, “Ignatian Leadership and Citizenship for a United and Inclusive Europe in a Time of Uncertainty.” Participants also discussed future joint initiatives, including Erasmus opportunities on AI in international education, a possible faculty and leadership formation BIP inspired by the Canisius Formation Course, and strengthening Erasmus+ cooperation with Saint Joseph University of Beirut. The gathering also included updates on Kircher Network and IAJU initiatives from Dr Susana Di Trolio, Executive Secretary of the Kircher Network, and a presentation of the European Leadership Programme (ELP) by Lucia Trubenová. Organised by the Jesuit European Social Centre (JESC) in Brussels, ELP is JESC’s flagship programme, bringing together young professionals from across Europe for leadership formation inspired by the social and spiritual tradition of the Society of Jesus.

We present an inspiring example and model for the work of the Jesuits across the JCEP provinces—in this case, a Portuguese Jesuit who spent most of his ministry in Timor-Leste. The Portuguese Parliament has unanimously paid tribute to Fr João Felgueiras SJ, the Portuguese Jesuit who died in Timor-Leste on 3 July at the age of 105. The motion of condolence was proposed by the President of the Assembly of the Republic, José Pedro Aguiar Branco, and was unanimously approved by members of parliament from all political parties, who then observed a minute of silence in his memory. The text, read by the Secretary of the Assembly's Bureau, highlighted Fr João Felgueiras's commitment to the people of Timor-Leste during a decisive period in the country's history. At the turn of the millennium, as Timor-Leste consolidated its independence after decades of occupation and conflict, he remained dedicated to education, social assistance and the Catholic mission. Through his long ministry, thousands of students from successive generations passed through his classrooms, where he shared not only knowledge but also the Portuguese language and culture. At the same time, his work contributed to strengthening Timor-Leste's identity and supporting the country's institutions during the difficult years surrounding the restoration of independence. Fr João Felgueiras was born in Portugal in 1921 and entered the Society of Jesus at a young age. He was sent to Timor-Leste in the 1950s, where he would spend most of the rest of his life. Over the course of more than seven decades, he became one of the most respected figures of the Catholic Church and of Portuguese cultural presence in the country. A teacher and educator by vocation, he dedicated much of his life to the formation of young people. His work extended beyond the classroom, however, encompassing social assistance, pastoral ministry and the care of communities during some of the most turbulent periods in Timor-Leste's modern history. He remained in the country through the Indonesian occupation and the violent years surrounding the independence referendum in 1999, when much of the population experienced displacement, destruction and violence. For many Timorese, Fr João Felgueiras became a symbol of perseverance and service. His long presence in the country allowed him to accompany several generations, contributing to the preservation of cultural and linguistic ties while also supporting the development of a distinct Timorese national identity. His commitment was not limited to the Portuguese-speaking community: he devoted himself to the people of Timor-Leste and to the country's social and spiritual development. His life was closely intertwined with the history of modern Timor-Leste. Having arrived during the final years of Portuguese colonial rule, he witnessed the Indonesian invasion and occupation, the struggle for independence and the birth of the independent Timorese state. Throughout these successive periods, he remained committed to education and to the service of the people, particularly the most vulnerable. The tribute paid by the Portuguese Parliament recognised not only the longevity of his life but, above all, the depth of his service. His 105 years of life and more than seven decades in Timor-Leste made him a living witness to a remarkable period of history and to the enduring relationship between Portugal and the Timorese people. The Portuguese Province of the Society of Jesus was represented at the solemn ceremony by Fr António Ary, Socius to the Provincial.