As part of Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology’s participation in the Collaborative Theology Initiative (CTI), a global partnership of Jesuit theology centres, three RSM students took part in an international learning experience in Nairobi, Kenya.
In response to Pope Francis’ call for engaging in a spirit of synodality, CTI brought together students from Jesuit theology centres in Canada, the United States, Kenya, India, the Philippines, and Vietnam for a four-week course exploring the history and charism of the early Jesuits, incorporating vital themes like intercultural dialogue, collaboration, and contextual learning.
“As a core member, Regis St. Michael’s contributes to the CTI through faculty and staff exchanges, resource sharing, collaborative teaching and formation, and programming that strengthens Jesuit education,” said Prof. Jaroslav Skira, Regis St. Michael’s Dean of Theology. “The course in Kenya was among the first of many programs being developed to support these goals.”
Regis St. Michael’s was represented by students Higor Jesus de Lima, SJ, Kristine Fernandes, CSJ, and Madeline Surman who joined the 28 students taking part in the program. “We were very intentional in sending leading students who represented the diversity of our own student body,” said Skira.
A Diverse Group in a Shared Formation
“It was fascinating being immersed in a completely different culture’s faith life, while noticing how things I’m learning in Ignatian spirituality translate across cultures. I’ll carry this experience into my remaining studies and my ministry as a spiritual director,” said Surman, who is working toward her Master of Divinity, while concurrently earning a diploma in spiritual direction in the Ignatian spiritual tradition.
“Being in Africa helped me understand some of the comments made by my classmates at Regis St. Michael’s. This experience gave me a wider view of theology, the church, and culture. We come from different places and have different understandings of some topics, and the class made me more open to different expressions of faith,” said de Lima, who is from Brazil and entering his second year of his Master of Divinity in preparation for the priesthood.
De Lima found the experience of worshipping across cultures especially meaningful. “They celebrate Mass very differently, with a lot of songs, dancing, and movement. It doesn’t distract from the main goal, which is to worship Jesus, but it’s beautiful to see it celebrated differently,” he said.
In addition to courses that looked at the sources of Ignatian spirituality, students deepened their understanding of Ignatian life through active ministry and living as part of a community.
As a laywoman, Surman immediately felt welcomed into the Ignatian family. “I had a growing realization that although I’m not a priest, I have a place in this family. I hadn’t experienced that kind of communal living since I was a child and personally, the theme of family emerged for me in my prayer and in the service work we did,” said Surman.
Encountering Beauty, Vibrancy, and Joy
Students were assigned different ministry projects. The Jesuit theological centre in Nairobi is located near Kibera, one of the largest urban areas of informal settlements and extreme poverty in the world.
Surman completed her ministry project at a school run by St. Vincent de Paul for children aged 3 to 6. “It was a lot to encounter that level of poverty, but I also encountered beauty, vibrancy, and joyfulness. The children came from tragic circumstances, and they welcomed me, an outsider, with so much life and joy,” said Surman.
“We went to the local churches and celebrated Mass with the people who lived there. There I witnessed that even if circumstances seemed hopeless, everyone had a joy for life and the important things like their relationships,” said de Lima.
Part of a Larger Vision
The course reflects RSM’s broader strategic commitment to intercultural learning and social justice, says Skira. The course in Kenya was one of four experiential learning opportunities offered to RSM students this summer, with students also visiting sites in Toronto, Italy, and the Philippines, enabling more than 30 students to deepen their formation through hands on engagement.
