A Report of the Process of RRSJSA – MAP

A Report of the Process of Reimagining and Restructuring of the Society of Jesus in South Asia – Madhya Pradesh Province (RRSJSA-MAP)

1. The Appointment of the Province Taskforce

Fr. Ranjit Tigga, S.J., Provincial of the Madhya Pradesh Province, following the guidance and directives of Fr. General and JCSA, formed a Province Task Force for the reimagining and restructuring process of the Society of Jesus in Madhya Pradesh Province on March 19, 2024. This initiative was intended to orient the Jesuits of the Province and advance the reimagining and restructuring efforts in Madhya Pradesh Province. Fr. Provincial appointed the following Jesuits to the Task Force of Madhya Pradesh Province:

1.  Alfred Toppo (Chairperson)
2.  Stanislaus Tirkey (PAP Coordinator)
3.  Michael Tirkey (PSSE)
4.  Binod Toppo (Coordinator, Social Justice and Ecology)
5.  Zacharias Lakra (Coordinator, MAP Pastors)

2. The Pre-process

Sharing of Key Documents on RR

The Pre-process in the Madhya Pradesh Province began by sharing relevant documents on Reimagining and Restructuring. Fr. Provincial shared all relevant letters and key documents from Fr. General with the Province on April 16, 2024. All Jesuits were expected to read and assimilate these letters and documents for a deeper understanding before the Province Assembly.

Meeting of the RR Task Force

Fr. Provincial convened an online meeting of the RR Task Force on April 21, 2024, to prepare for the forthcoming Province Assembly 2024 on the Reimagining and Restructuring of the Society of Jesus in South Asia in Madhya Pradesh Province. The Task Force was guided to collaborate with Fr. Louis Prakash (PAT) for the Province Assembly.

The Province Assembly 2024

Fr. Provincial initiated the process of reflection on the Reimagining and Restructuring of the Madhya Pradesh Province of the Society of Jesus in South Asia during the Province Assembly 2024, which was held from May 14-16, 2024. All the Jesuits participating in the Province Assembly engaged in reflection and Spiritual Conversation on various aspects of reimagining and restructuring the Province.

Fr. Prakash Louis, S.J. (PAT), the resource person for the Province Assembly 2024, animated the Assembly. He explained the meaning of reimagining and restructuring for both the Society and the Province, analysing the internal and external challenges. He also presented the status of the Province based on survey responses from the communities.

The methodology for discussing the subject in the Province Assembly included a short presentation, personal prayer and reflection, Spiritual Conversation, and a plenary session. This process helped participants better understand the world, Society, and the present need for transformation.

Major Takeaways from the Province Assembly 2024

1.  There is a need to care for community members consciously.
2.  The importance of reviewing and evaluating Jesuit life and apostolates.
3.  An enhanced sense of universality within the Society.
4.  A willingness to accept reality and necessary changes.
5.  A realization of the need for continuous self-improvement for better service.
6.  A call to spiritual and intellectual depth.
7.  An inner disposition to embrace the reimagining and restructuring process.
8.  More openness and willingness to face new changes and challenges.
9.  Recognizing that handing over institutions or centers should be the last option.
10.  A readiness to move out for the mission.

Training of Trainers (ToT) for Task Force Members  

All Province RR Task Force members attended a Training of Trainers (ToT) session at Manresa House, Ranchi, from August 17-18, 2024. This training further deepened the Task Force members’ understanding of the meaning and process of Reimagining and Restructuring. It provided insights into the Pre-Process, Actual Process, and Post-Process. Fr. Prakash Louis (PAT) and Fr. Brian (KAR) guided the task forces from the Central Zone Provinces.

The Province Task Force and Fr. Provincial prepared a Draft Roadmap to initiate the process of Pre-Process in the Province at the end of the ToT. Fr. Provincial shared the Roadmap with the Province on August 30, 2024.

Communication to the Province about the Pre-Process

Fr. Provincial wrote a letter to the whole Province on August 30, 2024, to communicate the Roadmap of the Pre-Process with due accountability.

Expansion of the RR Task Force

Recognizing the importance, and extensive work required for the Reimagining and Restructuring process in the Province, especially in guiding community members towards conceptual clarity and deeper understanding with active participation, the Task Force requested Fr. Provincial to appoint five additional members. Fr. Provincial approved the request and appointed the following Jesuits:

1.  Bipin K. Kujur
2.  Sanjay Kujur
3.  Jerome Minj
4.  Herman Joseph Minj
5.  Miliyan Xaxa

Additionally, Fr. Ashok Kujur (New PSSE) replaced Fr. Michael Tirkey (Former PSSE) in the Task Force. With these additions, the Province RR Task Force expanded to 10 members.

An Online Orientation for Scholastic Coordinators of Common and Study Houses

An online orientation session was held on September 15, 2024, for Scholastic Coordinators of Common and Study Houses from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. All Scholastic Coordinators participated in the session, where the Task Force presented the materials covered during the ToT, adapted to the Province’s context. Participants could grasp the key aspects and issues of Reimagining and Restructuring. They were instructed to orient their fellow scholastics and submit reports to the Task Force Chairperson as soon as possible. They were also given specific questions for Spiritual Conversation, which they later discussed before submitting their reports.

Orientation for Superiors, Commission Coordinators, and Members of the Selection of Ministries Commission

A two-day orientation on Reimagining and Restructuring of the Society of Jesus in South Asia – Madhya Pradesh Province (RRSJSA-MAP) was held at Asha Deep, Pathalgaon, from September 21-22, 2024, for Rectors/Superiors, Commission Coordinators, and Members of the Selection of Ministries Commission. The Task Force guided the participants using materials from the ToT, preparing detailed demographic data on the Province to analyse various aspects of Jesuit life and mission. The process was conducted in a prayerful atmosphere, following a methodology of short presentations, personal prayer and reflection, Spiritual Conversation, and a plenary session. This process helped participants become more open to adaptation and change in their lives and missions, giving them a deeper understanding of the RR process. Rectors, Superiors, and Commission Coordinators were instructed to orient their respective community members and commissions between September 23 – October 13, 2024, and submit reports by October 20, 2024. While most complied, some superiors and commission coordinators failed to organize the orientation.  On receiving the reports, the PTF learned about some concerns in the province, particularly regarding the deeper conceptual understanding of RR, its implication in life mission, and ownership of RRSJSA-MAP.

Prayer for RRSJSA-MAP

The Task Force prepared a prayer for the Reimagining and Restructuring Process in Madhya Pradesh Province, which was circulated to the entire Province on September 25, 2024, for recitation in all communities.

 Prayer

Gracious and Loving God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, we thank you for the Graces received throughout the history of the Society of Jesus. We thank you for the process of Reimagining and Restructuring the Society of Jesus in South Asia, particularly within the Madhya Pradesh Province, and ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit to approach this journey with generosity, openness, and a spirit of trust, and allowing us the interior freedom to embrace change for the greater good in the Universal Mission.

Guide us to listen to your voice while reading various documents, prayers, reflections, and discernment processes. May these processes reignite within us a renewed fervor and zeal to serve you and your people with magnanimity and greater audacity. Instill in us the spirit of Magis, discernment, and in fiery as we strive to remain relevant and responsive to the global and local communities we are called to serve.

We turn to you, Our Lady of the Wayside, our patron, seeking your gentle guidance and accompaniment as we walk through, as pilgrims, in this transformative path of Reimagining and Restructuring the Society Jesus. Help us to align our efforts and commitments with the needs of the people we serve, so that we may truly radiate God’s love and compassion as ‘prophetic companions’ in the mission of reconciliation and justice. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our Father …..

Hail Mary …..

Glory be to the Father …..

Participation of Active Jesuits in the Process

• Approximately 95% of active Jesuits in the Province participated in the Pre-Process.

Atmosphere/spirit of the Pre-Process

• Initially, there was superficial participation and many Jesuits were pessimisticabout the whole process of RRSJSA. They thought that this process was one more unnecessary and unfruitful process.
• Many Jesuits were uncomfortable with the idea of redrawing the boundaries of the provinces. There were strong emotions about keeping the province boundaries intact neglecting the call of a universal mission.
• Some Jesuits were very uncomfortable with reimagining, handing over, and closing down centres for greater service.
• With inputs, spiritual conversation, and understanding of the demands of Society today, openness slowly developed to some extent.
• Jesuits hope for better service through this process, though many still have issues and problems.
• Many have realised that this process has become a process of grace and necessary transformation and change.
• However, some already feel the process fatigue due to many meetings and reflection processes without visible results.

Salient insights of the pre-process, based on feedback received

• Spiritual and intellectual depth is a must for life-mission
• Realisation of the grace moments
• Analytical presentations led the participants to openness.
• Personal prayer and Spiritual Conversation led to greater understanding and clarity.
• Participants appreciated the method of less input and more time for personal prayer, spiritual conversation and the plenary session.
• The demography of the Province was an eye-opening experience.
• All participants were satisfied with the Process of the Action Process and its outcome.
• Gradually there was a deeper understanding of listening to one another and the Spirit with an openness.
• There was also an experience of a deeper union and communion with one another and in life mission.

Activities organised for ongoing growth in inner freedom and Ignatian indifference

• The Province organised the DSS retreats for Province men, which helped them to be more open and read the signs of the times.

3. The Actual Process

On November 30, 2024, Fr. Provincial announced the 54 participants for the Actual Process, including the Provincial, Socius, Province Treasurer, Rectors/Superiors, Task Force members, Commission Coordinators, major Directors of Work, special invitees, and representatives of Brothers and Scholastics. The Actual Process took place at Asha Deep, Pathalgaon, from December 13-16, 2024. All designated participants attended, except for two—one due to illness and the other due to unavoidable circumstances.

The preparatory day was dedicated to setting the right disposition for the Actual Process, beginning with prayers, a welcome address, and reflections. Fr. Provincial provided an updated status on the Province, followed by Fr. Jerome Minj, who presented the historical context of reimagining and restructuring through the Lens of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Fr. Alfred Toppo then outlined the dynamics of the Actual Process. The participants spent half an hour in silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament to prepare spiritually for the deliberations.

• Day 1: Reflecting on the Past with Gratitude and Embracing the Present with Hope.
• Day 2: Reviewing Life-Mission for Reimagining and Restructuring the Province.
• Day 3: Towards Reimagining and Restructuring of the Province

The first day was devoted to Reflecting on the Past with Gratitude and Embracing the Present with Hope. Various presentations led the participants through the history of the Society of Jesus in Madhya Pradesh Province and the houses. Along with these, the status of the preferences communities was given for greater and deeper reflection. The second day was dedicated to the Review of Life-Mission for Reimagining and Restructuring the Province. The internal and external challenges were set before the participants to plan out strategies for the mission. Later input was given on collaborators and collaboration, and intellectual and spiritual depth for deeper understanding and actions. The participants reflected on the systematic implementation of Reimagining and Restructuring the Province. The participants identified five preferences to lead the process forward. 

MAP RR Preferences

1. Fostering and Advancing Spiritual & Intellectual Depth
2. Enhancing and Optimizing Human & Financial Resources
3. Fostering and Promoting Collaboration & Networking
4. Strengthening the Province Governance System & Fostering Leadership
5. Committing Ourselves to the Care for Our Common Home

Number of Meetings and Participants Involved/Participants in Actual Process

• Provincial invited 54 Jesuits of the Province to participate in the Actual Process from December 13-16, 2024 at Ashadeep, Pathalgaon.
• Two Jesuits were absent from the Process.
• The office-wise list of participants is given below. Many Jesuits held more than one office during the Actual Process, thus some are categorised in more than one office.

SN	Office	No. of Participants
1	Provincial and Consultors	05
2	Superiors	20
3	Directors of Work	29
4	Commission Heads	06
5	Scholastics	02
5	Brothers	01
6	Others	03
7	Task Force Members	09

Preparatory Meetings for the Post-Process:

The first Preparatory Meeting of the PTF was held on March 08, 2025, at Xavier Institute of Social Action (XISA), Raipur. Each member of PTF was assigned the task of drafting action plans for implementing five Preferences.

The second Preparatory Meeting in virtual mode was held on March 17, 2025. Each member presented the first draft of action plans on five preferences in their assigned preferences. It was further decided to meet on April 11, 2025, at Loyola Niketan Bilaspur, to finalise the action plans for implementing five Preferences to present in the forthcoming Province Assembly in May 2025.

Suggestions for province renewal that have emerged

Suggestions for Redefining provincial boundaries, and zonal networks that emerged during the Province Process:

SN	Suggestions	Follow-up plan next level of proposal presentation.
1	NA	NA

Fr. Alfred Toppo, S.J.

March 19, 2025