Happy Feast Day of Saint Ignatius! Canadian Jesuits International staff attended a mass hosted by Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Toronto. They then joined other guests in a simple celebration on the parish grounds. 📷 @juanemiliohc

Today, July 31, is the feast day of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus, who died on this day in 1556. "Saint Ignatius of Loyola and his companions did not fear uncertainty or difficulty; they went to the margins, where faith and reason intersected with new cultures and great challenges," Pope Leo XIV said in his address to the Major Superiors of the Society of Jesus on Oct. 24, 2025. Following in Saint Ignatius' footsteps, Jesuits "have long been present where humanity’s needs meet God’s saving love: through spiritual guidance, intellectual formation, service among the poor and Christian witness at cultural frontiers," Pope Leo added. Born Iñigo de Loyola to a family of Spanish nobility, Saint Ignatius abandoned his wordly ambitions when he experienced a desire to serve Jesus when he was recovering from a severe leg injury in the Battle of Pamplona in 1521. Taking vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, Saint Ignatius and his followers would later help renew and modernize the Catholic church by spreading the Gospel around the world and standing with society's poor and marginalized. We at CJI are inspired and nurtured by Ignatian spirituality. As a Jesuit institution, we strive for greater ecological, social and economic justice, and peace, in the world. Our struggle for social justice and peace is rooted in our faith, which in turn strengthens our faith. One of Saint Ignatius' most influential contribution was the Spiritual Exercises, a four-week meditation and prayer to help people deepen their relationships with God. They formed the basis of spiritual retreat practices and today, remains influential in Jesuit spiritual formation and direction. May Saint Ignatius and his companions continue to inspire us to be a person for others. Photo of The Pilgrim at St. Louis University, Missouri, by the https://bit.ly/4wpeBrE Curia Communications Office

Act Now: Click link in bio A generous donor has pledged to match every donation made to CJI's Venezuela Earthquake Appeal until July 31, dollar for dollar, up to a total of $5,000. This means that your support today could have twice the impact in helping those affected by the earthquake. If you haven’t had a chance to donate yet, please give now. The need remains urgent and widespread, and every contribution helps to provide essential aid, protection and hope to those who need it most. Act now: Click link in bio

We are deeply grateful to the clergy, staff, and parishioners of Chinese Martyrs Parish, in Markham, Ont. for the warm welcome they extended to Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) during last weekend’s Mission Cooperative Sunday. Thank you to the Rev. Zhijun (Stephen) Lu, pastor; the Rev. Andrew Jianwell Deng, associate pastor; the Rev. John Lizu Gan, associate pastor; and the Rev. Junwei (Michael) Hu, associate pastor. We also express our thanks to the Archdiocese of Toronto for including CJI in this program, which offers local Catholic communities the opportunity to learn about and support various church-based projects. CJI was able to share information about Jesuit-run projects it supports in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean. Our special thanks to Fr. Robert Wong, SJ, who spoke on behalf of CJI and urged parishioners to support these projects, particularly Jesu Ashram, in India, which provides free medical treatment and care to the poor, especially those living with leprosy and tuberculosis. Special thanks also to Sabrina Yung-Lau, a long-time CJI donor and volunteer, who kindly assisted Fr. Robert and CJI Outreach Coordinator Juan Camilo Poveda, and Jesuit Scholastic Dang Khoa Tran, who also represented CJI.

Jas Sidhu, a medical student at McMaster University, recently joined Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) as part of the Canada Summer Jobs program. Jas, who earned undergraduate and master’s degrees in political science from the University of Toronto, is “deeply interested” in understanding the impact of policy decisions on people’s health and that of their communities. Click link in bio to learn more about what Jas wants to accomplish at CJI.

Before coming to Canada to study, Gabriel Kofi Akpah, SJ, a Jesuit scholastic from Ghana, taught philosophy at St. Paul’s Major Seminary in Sierra Leone. He also spent several years studying and living in various parts of Africa, including Liberia, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These experiences deepened his appreciation for cultural diversity “and the many ways people seek meaning, hope and community,” he said. They are also helping to inform his “field placement” (practical experience) related to his academic studies at Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) over the summer. Gabriel is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity, a Bachelor of Theology and a Diploma in Spiritual Direction at Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology, at the University of Toronto. “I’ve always been interested in questions about faith, justice, leadership, and what it means to make the world a better place,” he said. Learn more about Gabriel and how he intends to contribute to CJI's work: Click link in bio. #Jesuits #Ghana #Canada #scholastic

A big thanks to the Grade 9 teachers, students, and student leaders at Toronto’s Loretto College High School for welcoming Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) this morning. CJI Outreach Coordinator Juan Camilo Poveda, along with Jesuit scholastic Dang Khoa (Dominic) Tran, Hasina Qadari, and Jas Sidhu gave a presentation on CJI’s fall 2025 campaign, Women at the Heart of Justice. The campaign highlighted women as essential changemakers in the global struggle for dignity, equality, and sustainability. It focused on the critical role women play in addressing issues such as gender-based violence, economic exclusion, and environmental injustices. It also highlighted CJI programs that empower women. We were inspired by the engagement demonstrated by the students and educators at Loretto College High School, who were eager to learn about how empowering women is essential to build just, inclusive and sustainable communities around the world.

Recent Humber College graduate Hasina Qadari has joined Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) as part of the Canada Summer Jobs program. She will be helping the organization’s outreach program, which involves education, awareness raising, and advocacy on issues affecting marginalized communities in the Global South. Hasina, who is Afghan-Canadian, recently completed a post-graduate Certificate in International Development at Toronto’s Humber College after earning an undergraduate degree in Justice, Political Philosophy, and Law at McMaster University, in Hamilton, Ont. “Throughout my studies and work, I’ve developed a passion for community engagement, youth leadership, and creating opportunities for young people to learn, grow, and make a difference,” she said. Click link in bio to learn more about what Hasina hopes to achieve during her time at CJI. @humberpoly @mcmasteru #canadasummerjobs #jesuit

Francisca Huenupil, a Mapuche Indigenous leader, traditional weaver, seed keeper, and gardener, warmly welcomed CJI Executive Director Jenny Cafiso and International Programs Coordinator Juan Emilio Hernandez into her home during their recent visit to Tirúa, in southern Chile. Francisca has participated in gatherings of Indigenous women organized by the Network for Solidarity and Indigenous Apostolate (RSAI), a CJI partner organization.