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Modern Spiritual Masters
Pedro Arrupe: Essential Writings
Pedro Arrupe, a Basque Jesuit, was superior general of the Society of Jesus from 1965 until 1983. Arrupe was instrumental in promoting a new mission for the Jesuits in terms of ""faith that does justice."" The readings here, beginning with his shattering eye-witness account of the bombing of Hiroshima, reveal profound faith, deep compassion, and an almost mystical devotion to Jesus.
215 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 26, 2016
Here's a quote that I think summarizes much of Arrupe's thought: "In the Eucharist, Jesus becomes the voice of those who have no voice. He speaks for the powerless, the oppressed, the hungry. In fact, he takes their place. And if we close our ears to their cries, we are shutting out his voice too."
February 19, 2023
Arrupe is considered to be the 'second founder' of the Jesuits, a Basque superior general from 1965-1983. Through the writings here, one gets also a view into this order, and I don't think you need to be much familiar with it beforehand. I have read some of Loyola's writings already, but the order's history is lightly repeated here. At the end is a glossary of Ignatian and Jesuit terms, which should also be helpful.
The text is divided into parts: on his own life, Christian discipleship, the founder's life and teachings, using faith and justice in activities within the World, and the final words and homily that were read after his stroke in 1981 caused him to leave his work (though he lived until 1991). His writings point away from himself and towards things he cared about. The texts here have been chosen, besides being essential, for also being most accessible. Through it all, one gets a picture of the man with a humble view of himself. Some parts end with one of his prayers.
His own life is interesting: reading about his own experience of the Hiroshima atomic bomb gives yet another view on it (he lived in a house far enough for just windows and a few other things in the house shattering, but caring for arriving victims gave him a view into the depths of suffering in the city), his time otherwise in Japan, and of becoming the superior general. He had much devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which he tried to promote more.
The World chapter shows what he considered important in active life: love of God + love of neighbor, and action using love and search of justice together, in civil rights, possible martyrdom in serving people as Jesuits, helping refugees (his speech in Thailand is one of the highlights in this book in my opinion). You're left wondering a bit what he could've done if the stroke hadn't cut his career short - but one realises as one reads the last two texts that even after the stroke he was quite his usual self, accepting that this event was another change of path.
These writings turned out to be much better than I expected, and quite inspiring. I'm quite glad that I was through some way inspired to get this book, it was well worth it.
The text is divided into parts: on his own life, Christian discipleship, the founder's life and teachings, using faith and justice in activities within the World, and the final words and homily that were read after his stroke in 1981 caused him to leave his work (though he lived until 1991). His writings point away from himself and towards things he cared about. The texts here have been chosen, besides being essential, for also being most accessible. Through it all, one gets a picture of the man with a humble view of himself. Some parts end with one of his prayers.
His own life is interesting: reading about his own experience of the Hiroshima atomic bomb gives yet another view on it (he lived in a house far enough for just windows and a few other things in the house shattering, but caring for arriving victims gave him a view into the depths of suffering in the city), his time otherwise in Japan, and of becoming the superior general. He had much devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which he tried to promote more.
The World chapter shows what he considered important in active life: love of God + love of neighbor, and action using love and search of justice together, in civil rights, possible martyrdom in serving people as Jesuits, helping refugees (his speech in Thailand is one of the highlights in this book in my opinion). You're left wondering a bit what he could've done if the stroke hadn't cut his career short - but one realises as one reads the last two texts that even after the stroke he was quite his usual self, accepting that this event was another change of path.
These writings turned out to be much better than I expected, and quite inspiring. I'm quite glad that I was through some way inspired to get this book, it was well worth it.
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January 11, 2011also, just started this. i really like what i read about Fr. Arrupe in "My Life with the saints" by fr. martin
March 28, 2017
Excellent introduction to the work of the late superior general.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews