Jesuit Refugee Service

JRS Advocates for Refugees

by Jim Manney

I greatly admire the work of the Jesuit Refugee Service, an organization established by Pedro Arrupe, SJ in 1980 to serve and defend the cause of forcibly displaced persons.  If you’re looking for a book that will move you deeply, read They Come Back Singing: Finding God with the Refugees by Gary Smith, SJ. Also [...]

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A Retreat from the Jesuit Refugee Service

by Jim Manney

A 30-day online retreat focused on social justice begins today. You can find reflections for Day 1 here on the Jesuit Refugee Service website.

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A Social Justice Retreat

by Jim Manney

On Monday, November 1, the Jesuit Refugee Service/USA will begin an online retreat that links the Spiritual Exercises to the plight of refugees and vulnerable migrants.  The retreat marks the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Jesuit Refugee Service.  Go to the JRS/USA home page on Monday to begin the retreat. The Jesuit Refugee [...]

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Jesuits in Haiti

by Jim Manney

Six months after the earthquake, the people of Haiti are still in great need. “It’s like the country has collapsed,” says Fr. Wismith Lazard, SJ, director of the Jesuit Refugee Service in Haiti. JRS operates seven camps that serve the needs of more than 21,000 displaced people in Port-au-Prince. It is opening 20 new schools [...]

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Standing with the Refugees

by Jim Manney

I would like to be like Gary Smith, SJ.  He does heroic and humble work with refugees in Africa.  I have written about him here before.   To feel the spirit of the Jesuit Refugee Service, read this letter that Gary recently wrote about his work in South Africa.  It’s harrowing, but also extraordinarily moving: But [...]

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