Due to Covid-19 the Ignatian Year Inaugural Mass was held in respective communities. Jisu Jaher, Fr Provincial K.C. Stephen SJ presided over the Holy Eucharist. He reminded the congregation of the cannonball incident which was the cause of conversion in Ignatius’ life and invited them to become aware of and open themselves for such moments of inspiration and graces in their life.

Baghmara, The Jesuit community had Jubilee Year Inaugural Mass with collaborators, religious Sisters and some lay School Staff. The importance, relevance and the meaning of the Ignatian Jubilee year and how the cannonball experience of St Ignatius totally revolutionized his life, outlook and horizon were explained.

Bathbanga, to mark the Ignatian Year, Jesuits and our collaborating Sisters hoisted the flag with St Ignatius’ picture and the jubilee logo.

Hathimara, after the community Eucharistic celebration, the Ignatian Year Jubilee flag was hoisted. The beautiful yellow flag carried the message ‘Iswar ki mahattam mahima ke liye’ (everything for the greater glory of God).

Jibonpur: Jesuits and collaborating DSA Sisters offered special intentions for various needs and concerns.

Johar: The community held a Prayer Service on the theme: Who is St Ignatius for me? St Xavier’s College, Maharo: To commemorate the Ignatian year, three statues were erected in the College campus, namely, one of St Ignatius of Loyola, one of St Francis Xavier and one of St John de Britto.

St Xavier’s School, Raiganj: St Xavier’s community at Raiganj, during the inaugural Eucharist prayed for the grace to explore and to learn from Ignatius’ spiritual journey, and to rediscover our vocation to see all things new in Christ.

St Xavier’s Sahibganj: Fathers, Brothers, Sisters and the other residents on the school campus gathered in the senior assembly ground to witness the hoisting of the Jubilee Flag. Everyone, then, moved to the school auditorium for the rest of the programme which included Prayer Dance, Prayer Service, PowerPoint Presentation and reflections on the conversion of Ignatius. Fr Provincial K.C. Stephen officially declared the Jubilee Year open. The inaugural programme ended with the singing of the Ignatian Anthem “Noble Knight Leader of a brave array…” To commemorate the 500th year of the conversion of Ignatius Loyola the residents on the school campus joined hands in planting saplings. The five resident families expressed their desire to plant one sapling each and nurture it until it grows up into a big tree. Fr Provincial planted a sapling on behalf of the Jesuit Family. For the first time an attempt was made to live-telecast a school programme on YouTube so that the maximum number of students and teachers living outside the campus could watch and participate.

Bhognadi:

The celebration was uploaded on YouTube.
Ignatian Year Celebration: 1521-2021 Surrendering to the Lord
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSERBxyT0sw

Ignatian Year Celebration – SJ Generals – Our Torch Bearers!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kxa9d6o9nCU

Jesuit Feast Days