Lancy Fernandes

Bangalore, Nov 2: A mega youth convention, a gathering of youth and youth animators from Jesuit Institutions all over India, began at St Joseph’s Boys’ High School Campus Bangalore. It is a five day event from November 1 to 5. It is titled Magis – which means ‘more.’

It is the first ever Jesuit Youth Convention on a larger scale in Asia. The participants are called ‘pilgrims’ with ‘On pilgrimage with Christ at the Heart of the World,’ as the theme. It is a pilgrimage for the youth at a deeper level because it will not just be a gathering, but it also includes three days of exposure, refection and activities.

Over 300 youthful pilgrims from several places like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Pune, Bombay, Mangalore, Hazaribag, Andhra Pradesh, Ranchi, Delhi, Patna, Madhya Pradesh, Darjeeling, Goa and Dumka across 12 different states of the country are participating.

Magis began with the solemn Eucharistic celebration today with Fr Francis Serrao SJ, Jesuit Provincial of Karnataka as the main celebrant. He invited the pilgrims to have squint (2 way) vision – one towards God and other towards fellow beings in the march towards holiness since it was also the feast of All Saints. He said that all can become saints at least in small way.

The formal inauguration was held in the concert hall at 10.30 am. The representatives from various places were given roses as a token of welcome. Fr Simon Furtado SJ, youthful Jesuit veteran, Fr Francis Serrao SJ, Jesuit provincial of Karnataka, Fr Ronnie Prabhu SJ, PRO of Archbishop, Fr Brian Pereira SJ, the main coordinator, Cyril and Lizzel, coordinators of youth group – Ignitors (who are organizers of the event) were present to light the lamp. 

The prayer dance and Magis prayer helped all seek God’s grace for the event. The Magis anthem was sung. A number of action songs made the youth begin a gala event with great enthusiasm.

Fr Ronnie Prabhu gave the keynote address explained the purpose and meaning of Magis and its need today to bring about change within oneself and in the world. Bansy Kalappa, a well-known anchor of TV9 gave his life testimony which moved the pilgrims. The screening of the documentary ‘The Gift of Hope’ added more spirit. The dynamics of the vent were explained to all in three language groups namely - English, Kannada and Hindi.

Magis is a terminology used by St Ignatius, the founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). It is rooted in the Jesuit motto ‘Ad Majorem Dei Gloriem’ (For the greater glory of God). This convention is a platform inviting the pilgrims to give their best and yet desiring to do ‘more.’ It is to do strive with zeal for greater service never satisfied with bare minimum. It is to think of doing universal good by laboring for God’s glory and not ours, to reconstruct a world that is more just and fraternal in a world that is getting easily used to a mediocre way of life, superficiality and complacency.

The convention revolves around five pillars of MAGIS – prayer, celebration (Eucharist), activity (exposure to different kinds of service), Magis circle (reflection and deepening of experiences) and examen (ignatian spirituality).

Exposure is the major part of the convention as pilgrims will be mixed into 15 groups of 20 members each and sent on a mission to serve. The purpose of the exposure is to foster better interaction among the pilgrims. They will have to live and work together in villages, slums, Hospitals, Homes for the aged, Leprosy colonies in and around Bangalore along with their animators and guides.

The second day will see the pilgrims begin their journey to several places to experience hardships and realities of lives of the most forgotten and less fortunate people in and around Bangalore.