As soon as a young man desiring to become a priest enters the Society of Jesus at Sacred Heart Novitiate (SHN), Quezon City, the Philippine Province takes care of his board and lodging, his education and basic formation for the next eleven or twelve years. At the end of this period, the Jesuit is ordained a priest.
Because of the desire of the Society of Jesus that this priest or brother becomes an expert in his field, he is usually sent for further studies, called “Special Studies”. Usually, this is a doctorate degree; in some cases, a master’s degree. The “Special Studies” is normally pursued outside the Philippines, often in Europe or the United States, and is funded by the Philippine Province.
Once the priest or brother obtains his degree, he is finally assigned to the apostolate. More often than not, he is sent to an educational institution, like the university. The apostolic institution provides for the personal needs of the priest although the Philippine Province provides financial support for the apostolate and priests missions.
Upon retirement, the Jesuit returns from his apostolic community to be cared for by the Philippine Province. The Province provides for board, lodging and medical care at the Wellness Center located in the Ateneo de Manila Campus. The Jesuit is cared for until he dies and is buried at Sacred Heart Novitiate (SHN).
And so it is the Philippine Province who takes care of the young man in his formation, stretching for about 16 years, and in retirement, for another 15 - 20 years, until his death and burial at SHN (where he begins and also ends his religious life)—having given all of his life to God!
The Jesuit Health and Wellness Center (JHWC) in the Ateneo de Manila Campus serves as the infirmary and home of our retired Jesuits. Running the center costs a substantial amount of money that the Philippine Province needs to subsidize through our Elderly and Infirm Fund.
We accomplish this by employing pro-bono administration work and doing our back office operations in the Philippines.
Started by Fr. Tex Paurom, SJ, a New York-trained Pulmonologist, Botika sa Kapilya (Chapel Pharmacy) provides access to essential and basic medicines to the indigenous peoples (Lumads) of Upper Pulangi in Bukidnon province. The program trains and empowers volunteer chapel health workers to provide basic health care, a service that was previously not easily accessible to the Lumads because of their remote location.
In coordination with Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB), PJF funded the Boat Project for the fishermen of Casiguran, Aurora- a town normally affected by strong typhoons but not given enough coverage in the media. The bigger boats provided to the fishermen not only enabled them to go farther out in the ocean and increase their catch, but the boats have also provided transportation to local students to cut down their 2 hour walking time.
PJF scholarship beneficiaries range from the preschool Lumad children in Bukidnon (ages 3-5 years old) attending community-based Literacy Centers to college students of the 5 Jesuit universities and other non-Jesuit schools. The scholarships ensure that poor but deserving students are given access to high quality education regardless of their background.
From left to right: Fr. Vic Salanga, SJ, Fern Robles, Fr. Jojo Magadia, SJ, Fr. Xavier Olin, SJ, and Fr. Ed Colmenares, SJ Fr. Xavier Olin, SJ, the new Father Provincial of the Philippine Jesuit Read more…
Note: The program “Botika sa Kapilya” is currently fully funded with the donations of PJF donors. A blessed Easter to all of you. I want to express my gratitude for your support of the Chapel Read more…
With Easter, we greet you ALL, a joyful and blessed Easter! And we sincerely thankyou for all your compassion and kindness to all our beneficiaries. We share with you a version of “Anima Christi,” entitled Read more…