This week, I leave for MAGIS, a gathering of young adults from the Ignatian family preceding World Youth Day. 2,000 pilgrims from Jesuit universities and young adult ministries will participate in a program of spiritual, cultural, and pastoral activities.
Cross-cultural encounters will abound.
At the previous MAGIS in Panama, I enjoyed seeing South Koreans make pupusas, Zimbabweans savor yerba mate, and a local police officer pose for pictures with his new scarf from Angola.
I celebrated a Mass that included readings in Mandarin and Polish, a homily in English, and hymns in Cantonese.
The central part of the MAGIS program is the “experiments.” These experiences, like the “experiments” that a Jesuit novice partakes in, are meant to push pilgrims out of their comfort zones, facilitate friendships, and see how God is active in our world.
Experiment groups may participate in a service project, go on a walking pilgrimage, or engage in an artistic project. Pilgrims come together each day for Mass, spiritual reflection, cooking, and oftentimes much singing and dancing.
These groups are typically composed of pilgrims from four different continents and at least that many languages. Smiles, thumbs up, and hugs are common forms of communication that seemed to break down linguistic barriers.
In pilgrim style, I will be taking very little with me. My laptop won't make the cut. I will thus take a pause from Substack for a few weeks. I should, however, post on social media.
Please pray for the pilgrims of MAGIS and World Youth Day and join us online.
MAGIS: https://www.magis2023.org/en
My social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rossmannsj/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OneMinuteJesuit
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RossmannSJ