MINDANAO AS JESUIT FRONTIERM:

Lessons from History

in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University

2nd JBEC Congress

Ateneo de Zamboanga University

Zamboanga City
24 September 2012

Why MindaNow? The Jesuit Story of Mindanao

The Function of Story-telling according to Richard Kearney:

First we tell stories in order to

realize our debt to the historical past.

Second we tell stories in order to

respect the rival claims of memory and forgetfulness.

Third we tell stories in order to

cultivate a notion of self-identity.

Fourth we tell stories in order to

persuade and evaluate action.

Why MindaNow? The Jesuit Story of Mindanao

Fr. General Adolfo Nicolas, in his talk to

the participants of the 1st JBEC Congress, quotes the Holy Father, Benedict XVI: The Church needs you, counts on you, and continues to turn to you with confidence, particularly to reach the geographical and spiritual places where others do not reach or find it difficult to reach. (Allocution, No. 2)

The geographical and spiritual places where others do not reach or find it difficult to reach: these places are our frontiers.

Two questions with regard to the theme of Mindanao as a Jesuit frontier.

First, in searching the historical past, where can

we find some of the frontiers indicated to us in this, great island of Mindanao?

Two questions with regard to the theme of Mindanao as a Jesuit frontier.

Second, what lessons can we learn from this

consideration of the history of Jesuits in Mindanao that would indicate to us the disposition for and requirements of mission to and service at the frontiers?

JESUITS and MINDANAO

A Brief Summary A Brief Summary of Important Events of Important Events

2012

th Anniversary th Anniversary 100 100

of the of the

Ateneo de Zamboanga University