“I receive more than I give.” - Fr Tony Herbert SJ
Jesuit Mission is the international relief and development ministry of the Society of Jesus in Australia, founded in 1951. We effectively function as the Australian Mission Office, supporting Jesuit projects overseas. Working in 13 countries across Africa and Asia, we support projects in three broad areas. Firstly, the direct provision of services to marginalised communities:
- Food, water, shelter, healthcare
- Education
- Livelihood training
- Income-generation
- Agriculture and ecology
- Pastoral care and social inclusion
- Advocacy and leadership training
Secondly, we build local capacity through training, research and advocacy. Thirdly, we are here to support the Society of Jesus and local Church communities in areas of great need – for example, Jesuit training, providing facilities for community leaders, care of sick and aged Jesuits, and sacramental ministry, worship and pastoral care programmes.
We also respond to humanitarian emergencies, largely in Asia and Africa, with recent support given through the Xavier Network in the aftermath of the Nepal earthquake, and to the Jesuits in Vietnam for flood relief. Through JRS we are currently working on education projects for Syrian refugees in Lebanon, and people in Myanmar displaced by fighting.
Banner photo: TIMOR LESTE: Anato (left) lives in a rural village. Jesuit Mission’s clean water project means he now has a well 25 metres from his home.