John K Guiney SJ meets Pope Francis at the Jesuit General Congregation 36. Image:CNS/Itua Egbor SJ

An historic meeting in Rome

Pope Francis, the first Jesuit Pope, addressed the members of the General Jesuit Congregation 36, called GC36 in Rome. It was the first time a Jesuit Pope had addressed a General Congregation. It was indeed special. He spent an hour addressing the members and two hours answering questions.

Community Counsellors in Kakuma Camp. (Michael Oyoo/JRS)

Sometimes people just need to talk and be listened to. World Health Day on 7th April recognises this and has as its 2017 theme ‘Depression: Let’s talk’.

“Depression affects people of all ages, from all walks of life, in all countries. At worst, depression can lead to suicide, now the second leading cause of death among 15 to 29 year olds.” states the World Health Organisation. “Yet, depression can be prevented and treated. A better understanding of what depression is and how it can be prevented and treated, will help reduce the stigma associated with the condition, and lead to more people seeking help.”

The Swahili saying ‘Maji ni uhai’ – ‘Water is life’ captures the absolute necessity of having continuous, safe water in eastern Africa. It can't be taken for granted.

Located in one of the most arid regions in the country—in a good year it receives about 20 inches of rainfall—St Peter Claver High School (SPCHS) is a boarding and co-educational Jesuit institution on a 500 acre campus. It is a lively, thriving school with a student body of almost 1,200 and a teaching staff approaching 100 people. A scholarship programme that relies on donations and a small endowment fund allows girls and boys from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to attend.

Take a tour to each education project the Irish Jesuit Missions is linked with. Click through on the map and read about them, look up their websites, view their videos, picture albums and social media pages.