He is 28 years old. Last fall, after months of discernment with my superiors, I received a surprising email. I would be headed to Beirut, Lebanon, working with the Jesuit Refugee Service to develop a center for migrant workers coming to Lebanon from around the world. My Jesuit journey began in small ways from many parts of my life.
My time in the novitiate and in First Studies invited me hold that desire while deepening my sense of Jesuit vocation and exposing me to other ministries. From time spent with the elderly to accompanying those released from prison, my apostolates introduced me to the face of God in places I did not expect. Yet, I kept feeling a tug to work with migrants and refugees.
There, I volunteered with a community of migrant workers from the Philippines, Sri Lanka, South Sudan, and many other parts of Africa and South Asia that call our parish home. They come to Lebanon for different reasons -as domestic workers, as refugees, and others on the way to somewhere else.
Many face great hardships -difficult working conditions, racism, and even serious abuses. Through the African Asian Migrant Center, our church welcomes migrants for meals and mass, provides spaces for community and celebration, and helps with basic needs. Although I volunteered there last fall, my regency will have me in a different role. With community leaders, I will help to envision new programs, linking the resources of the Jesuit network with the migrant community and advocating for migrant workers in the region.
We will begin by listening; bringing the community together to find the points of greatest grace and deepest suffering, hoping to discern the voice of Spirit.
