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Myanmar: Jesuits focus on education ministry for children, youth

Jesuit Father Mark Raper, the former major superior blesses the Ignatius Multipurpose Hall at St Aloysius Gonzaga College in Taunggyi, Shan state on May 22, 2022.(Photo: Jesuit Conference Asia Pacific)

Jesuits working in Myanmar continue to focus on education ministry for children and youth.

The Myanmar Jesuits together with Jesuit Father Mark Raper, the former major superior who started the project of building the Ignatius Multipurpose Hall, had the blessing and inauguration of their new building at St Aloysius Gonzaga College at Taunggyi in Shan state on May 22.  

The three-story building next to it is towards completion. These new buildings will be of great service to the education of many of the children and youth in Myanmar. 

St. Aloysius Gonzaga College—Institute of Higher Studies—serves the dreams and aspirations of the young people of the country. 

The Myanmar Jesuit Mission comprises around 40 Jesuits, over 30 of who are indigenous to Myanmar and currently in formation. 

The young and growing mission was made into a Jesuit Region dependent on the Philippine Province in March 2021.

Myanmar Jesuit Mission came into existence in September 1997 with the establishment of St. Aloysius Gonzaga English Learning Institute with 150 students. The Jesuit novitiate was started in June 1999.

As part of the Jesuits’ Mission Priorities for 2020-2030, they would promote the spirituality of the Spiritual Exercises of Spanish Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit order and the practice of discernment. 

They will give special attention to the youth of Myanmar and collaborate in promoting educational initiatives, especially among communities on the margins.

The Jesuits in Myanmar commit to socio-pastoral ministries that will build integral human development (human, physical, social, natural, financial, political and spiritual) and protect and renew God’s creation.

Some of the major initiatives include Myanmar Jesuit Social Outreach in Thingangyun, and Thingangyun Education Project. These offer quality education programs for youth who live in the surrounding Thingangyun Township, offering scope for safer livelihood options.

The Jesuits run St. Michael’s Nanhlaing Parish and Jesuit Mission in the Diocese of Banmaw, Kachin State. It reaches out to the geographical periphery of the country. 

The Jesuits are present in the four dioceses of Myanmar. 

 

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