A few days ago eight new companions, the first year novices, arrived.

So I thought of writing an article about their arrival in our community. Mulling over what to write, on the first day I had a few ideas; on the second I had a few more; on the third I was about to write them down. But sometimes it happens – and luckily so! – on the “third day” reality wins over ideas.

On that day, Janez, a new companion just arrived from Slovenia and a beginner in Italian, asked me if we could read the Formula of the Institute together. The Formula, written in 1550, summarizes the charisma of the Society of Jesus, that is God’s gift to the Church through Ignatius and the first companions. It is the first “official” document that the novices read together with Father Master as they enter the Novitiate.

And so we – Janez and I – slowly read and re-read the Formula. We re-read that the chief purpose of the Society of Jesus is «the progress of souls in Christian life and doctrine». And this is attained «by means of public preaching, lectures, and any other ministration whatsoever of the word of God and further by means of the Spiritual Exercises, the education of children and unlettered persons in Christianity and the spiritual consolation of Christ’s faithful through hearing confessions and administering the other sacraments». It also reads that the Jesuit must be «ready to reconcile the estranged, compassionately assist and serve those who are in prison or hospitals and, indeed, to perform any other works of charity, according to what will seem expedient for the glory of God and the common good». And with God and the Society – «which is a pathway to God» – always before his eyes, the Jesuit must «strive with all his effort to achieve this end set before him by God».

At the end of that day, I was very grateful for re-reading these passages, so demanding but so full of love for God and mankind. And so I thought I would not write what I had thought but what I had lived, thanks to Janez. Reality, often brought forth by friends, is a gift from God and it is always better than our ideas!

Prayer – as the Jesuit Walter Burghardt used to say – is a «long, loving look at the real». I am sure that, like Janez, all the new companions will help us, maybe without even realizing, to re-read, deepen and better direct our prayer and activity. They will help us develop this «long, loving look at the real». «Long»: overcoming anxiety, giving time to others, yourself and the Lord. «Loving»: without judging, trusting that the Lord is good and provides, asking and granting forgiveness. «At the real»: always better than our ideas, the Lord makes himself found in our reality.

However, since reality also comprises plates, cutlery, pottery, kitchen and many other services, our new companions will help us there too! Welcome once again, dear friends!