Welcoming Freshers at Arrupe Jesuit University and Celebrating Our Partners in Mission
By Edward Tonny, SJ
Four weeks into the new academic year, we officially welcomed our 14 new brothers to our vibrant community on September 12th, 2025. All fourteen are faring well as they go through the phase of transition, at least we can say that they have embraced the Ignatian charism of adaptation. After getting to know each other in the fraternal conversations that followed, I must say that we are proud to be the largest group in the Arrupe Jesuit University community.
In his message, conveyed through Chavala, SJ, our coordinator, the Rector, no wonder, pointed out this reality and emphasised the importance of peer formation. This kind of formation, as many know it for a fact, is quite helpful in not only our journeys of discernment, but also in our missions here at Arrupe that can be rather demanding in terms of the intellectual rigour required. In his confirmation of his pending visitation, Fr. Nzyoki Stephen, SJ assured the gathering that the wellbeing of those in formation and their concerns are one of his top priorities.
The evening unfolded as a charming celebration, not only as a welcoming event to the new AORians to Arrupe, but also it was a profound opportunity to express our gratitude to those who make our missions here seamless. Specifically, the reason for our gratitude was stirred by a recent incident at the end of last semester when some of our brothers, eager to return home for holidays and their JIF meeting, unexpectedly found themselves stranded after missing their flights due to a lack of communication from the airline. Fortunately, through the kindness of one of our Partners in mission, they managed to get alternative flights.
Inspired by this experience, we extended invitations to our Partners in mission who have consistently offered their unwavering support in the form of prayer, companionship and any other form of assistance that promotes the mission of Christ, and by this, enriching our time here in Harare to make it memorable. So, in the event after our meeting, we were honoured to have representatives from the embassy of South Sudan, guests from Uganda, Ethiopia and Tanzania for a special gathering and interactions. We give thanks to God for the gifts our Partners in mission are, not only to the Society of Jesus but also to humanity as a whole.
The evening was indeed a testament to the union of minds and hearts, the spirit of collaboration and the interconnectedness that is beyond the imaginary lines, so-called borders.
