Friday, June 7th will be a very special day for Loyola Jesuit Secondary School (LJSS), when 49 girls and 48 boys will be its first ever graduates! LJSS is located in the rural town of Kasungu, Malawi, 120km north-west of the capital Lilongwe. It is an all-boarding, co-educational school with 479 students - 243 girls and 236 boys.

Fernando Azpiroz SJ is an Argentinian Jesuit who is Director of Ricci Social Services, in the China Province. He visited Ireland last week to update us about the progress the communities within China and Macau are making and to share the story of their journey.

"One of the most striking and surprising things about Zambia was the native trees that are all around Lusaka and around the country. I was amazed at the variety of the lush greenery everywhere. Another thing I loved is that everywhere we went, we heard wonderful music - from people’s houses and yards, and even on the street."

Rosaleen Kenny has worked for Irish Jesuit Missions for more than 20 years. As the organisation’s receptionist, she is the main point of contact for Irish Jesuits who live and work overseas, and their families. Last year, she fulfilled a dream to visit somewhere she has heard about for many years through the friendships she has made with the Irish Jesuit missionary community. She and her husband visited Zambia and spent time with the Jesuit community there. The trip was very meaningful to Rosaleen, and to the Irish Jesuits in Zambia*. 

Fr Adrian Makasa SJ and Fran Flood, Director and Deputy Director at JCED

‘I usually set off from home at 7.30 am on my journey to the office. It’s a half-hour walk which is very pleasant as almost invariably the sun is shining and the temperature not so high. Also, as it’s the rainy season, everything it seems is in bloom. A good harvest beckons!