International Ministries

 

Jamaica

Since the Jesuit Order is a missionary order, each U.S. province has an affiliated ministry in another part of the world. New England Jesuits have a long relationship with the Caribbean island-nation of Jamaica, which gained its political sovereignty from England in 1962. Currently, the Jamaica region has its own Regional Superior who oversees the operations of Jesuits from New England, Canada, Jamaica and Guyana. The mission includes two high schools, several chaplaincies and parishes, the Jamaica Centre for Religious Development, social and agricultural works, and other ministries in service of the local church.

 

Iraq and Jordan

In 1932, the Holy Father asked New England Jesuits to go into Baghdad, Iraq to set up a high school.  Eventually, a university was also established.  In the late 1960s, the schools were nationalized by the government, and Jesuits were expelled from the nation, but a strong network of alumni from the schools continues to meet every two years and hopes for a return of the Jesuits to Baghdad. In 2005, New England Jesuits began to offer language instruction and spirituality support at the Chaldean Seminary in Northern Iraq – possibly a new beginning.

Since 1987, a community of New England Jesuits has offered lay leadership development to the Christian community of Jordan and has pastored the English-speaking parish—Sacred Heart—which serves many overseas workers. More and more activities at the Jesuit Center in Jordan are in aid of Iraqi refugees in the capital, Amman. The late New York Times journalist Anthony Shadid wrote about the lasting legacy of the Jesuits at Baghdad College in Granta magazine. Jesuits from College of the Holy Cross who served in Baghdad are profiled in Holy Cross magazine. To learn more visit the Jesuit Center website. Visit the New England Province of the Society of Jesus Archives for a digitized collection features the yearbooks of two schools, administered by the Jesuits of the New England Province in Baghdad, Iraq: Baghdad College and Al-Hikma University. It also includes a history of schools and the Jesuits in Baghdad. 

In his video interview below, Fr. Michael Linden, SJ, Jesuit Superior in Jordan,  talks about his hopes for the Society in Iraq.

Baghdad College/ Al-Hikma University BC AH Alumni

Alumni of Baghdad College/Al-Hikma University held a reunion in July 2009, in Detroit Michigan. For more information, please contact:

Photos of 2009 Baghdad Reunion in Detroit

2009 Baghdad Reunion Story in New England Province Jesuits Magazine

2004 Baghdad Reunion Story in new England Province Jesuits Magazine

Rome

The site of the Jesuit Curia is in Rome, Italy, where many spiritual, educational and administrative works support the operation of the international Order. New England Jesuits have a long tradition of sending men to these corporate ministries, in particular the Pontifical Gregorian University. For more information, check these websites:

 

Other Missions

A Jesuit may be sent anywhere in the world to serve the people of God. New England Jesuits are often sent to  other provinces in places around the world, such as Micronesia, Nepal, Brazil, Tanzania, Mozambique, Egypt, Lebanon, and the Philippines. Some Jesuits of New England have been permanently sent on mission to Brazil, Japan, Indonesia, and the West Bank.