Honouring the legacy of Canadian Jesuits

David Mackett

Access to quality education and healthcare for poor and marginalized people in the Global South are two of the biggest social justice issues facing our world today. Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) through its advocacy work in Canada, and its support of projects by its Jesuit partners in the South, remains at the forefront of eff orts to address these issues. It feels like I have a direct “family” connection with CJI, in that my uncle, Fr William Bourke SJ, was a Jesuit missionary in the Darjeeling District of India for 65 years (1954-2019). During that time, he served as Headmaster at St Peter’s High School (Gayaganga) and at St Robert’s High School (Darjeeling). For him, education was the key to breaking the cycle of poverty within families. When I travelled to India in 2010, I was able to witness firsthand the positive impact that he and his fellow Canadian Jesuits had in the communities. Their efforts provided the groundwork for the mission that CJI fulfils today. With our support, not only do we honour the legacy of the Canadian Jesuits, but we help to ensure that CJI’s good work continues.