Why the Anniversary
The historical reason for the anniversary is that 400 years ago this year, that is, in 1611, the first Jesuits reached the shores of what is now Canada. Furthermore, after some interruptions along the way, the Jesuits are still here, alive and active.
Then there are spiritual and theological reasons to celebrate this anniversary.
One is to give thanks for the many ways that the Jesuits have encountered God and been transformed by these encounters over the years here in Canada.
Another is to renew ourselves in our mission of serving Jesus and his work here, a mission entrusted to the Jesuits from God, through the Church in the person of the Pope. We hope to renew our commitment, our vigour, our zeal, our generosity, our discernment, our love, and to do so together.
Finally this is an opportunity to make better known the values in the mission entrusted to the Jesuits of English Canada, the values of good relations with God, with one another, with the rest of Creation, the values of working for the good and of being in love.