JRS DAY: Honouring Fr Pedro Arrupe SJ, visionary founder of JRS

14 November marks the anniversary of the birth of Fr Pedro Arrupe SJ (14 November 1907) and holds special meaning for the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), an apostolic ministry he founded to address the needs of refugees and displaced persons. Coinciding with JRS’s anniversary (14 November 1980), this occasion invites reflection on the origins of JRS, its global reach, and its ongoing commitment to reconciliation and justice.

A vision born from compassion

In the late 1970s, in response to the Vietnamese refugee crisis, Fr Arrupe felt a profound call to action, stating, “this situation is a challenge we cannot ignore.” Guided by discernment and consultations with the Society of Jesus and external experts, he established JRS. He envisioned a Mission that transcended material aid, declaring, “the help expected from us is not merely material; the Society is especially called to provide human, educational, and spiritual assistance.” This foundation established JRS, “a new modern apostolate for the Society as a whole,” as a mission to meet physical, emotional, and spiritual needs and to build a future of dignity and resilience alongside forcibly displaced persons.

A global community united by mission

Fr Arrupe’s vision continues to inspire people from all backgrounds, united by a shared mission. JRS brings together Jesuits, religious members, laypeople, volunteers, and even refugees who volunteer to serve others, all committed to accompanying, serving, and advocating for forcibly displaced individuals so that they may heal, learn, and determine their futures.

Inclusivity is central to JRS, where believers and non-believers collaborate in solidarity. Guided by the value of accompaniment, JRS staff walk alongside those they serve, honouring the dignity and resilience of each person. This practice of accompaniment, deeply rooted in the Ignatian spirituality that Fr Arrupe cherished, calls JRS members to work with compassion, empathy, and respect. It underpins JRS’s commitment to fostering hope and dignity and provides a foundation for transformative relationships with displaced communities.

A mission of reconciliation and justice

Rev. Fr Arturo Sosa, current Superior General of the Society of Jesus, recently reminded us that JRS, as a Jesuit apostolate, is committed to reconciliation and justice. Aligned with the Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAPs) of the Society of Jesus—showing the way to God, walking with the excluded, journeying with youth, and caring for our common home—JRS helps displaced persons find reconciliation with God, with themselves, with others, and with creation.

This mission is intimately connected with igniting hope in the lives of forcibly displaced people, who embody profound human suffering and resilience. JRS fosters “right relationships” that heal divisions between refugees and the societies that welcome them, as well as within communities themselves. As Pope Francis has emphasised, “the real challenge is not only about the migrants but about humanity as a whole.” By responding to the “signs of the times” revealed through the struggles of the most vulnerable, JRS answers a broader call to justice, challenging us all to build a more humane and compassionate world.

A vocation of service: A path to God

For many in JRS, this work is more than a job; it is a vocation. JRS staff often report that, through encounters with refugees, “we often meet God,” witnessing His protection and encountering the Living God in action. This lived experience resonates with Pope Francis’s message for the 2024 Day of Migrants and Refugees, reminding us that, just as God guided the Israelites during the Exodus, He walks alongside today’s migrants, offering comfort and strength. Migrants frequently experience God as a companion, discovering hope amid despair. Each encounter, as Pope Francis emphasises, is an encounter with Christ, who identifies with the stranger and the marginalised. Rooted in both our experience and the Pope’s message, we deeply believe that these encounters are grace-filled opportunities to extend compassion and recognise the face of Christ in those we serve.

This hope extends beyond those we serve to include ourselves, as JRS staff experience the enduring love of God through the challenges we face together. The resilience of those we accompany gives us renewed meaning in our journeys, deepening our understanding of God’s grace and transforming our hearts along the way.

Fr Arrupe’s vision: A lasting inspiration

As Fr Arrupe believed at the founding of JRS, God calls us through the broken and wounded forcibly displaced; to serve them is both a privilege and a blessing. His vision for JRS calls for a profound recognition of our shared humanity with those in vulnerable situations—a foundation for authentic, hope-filled encounters. He envisioned a mission that sees displaced people not only as recipients of aid but as fellow humans deserving of companionship and empathy.

Today, this vision continues to guide JRS, upheld by his legacy and the faithful accompaniment of his successors. JRS remains committed to the most vulnerable, reminding us that service is a path toward reconciliation, conversion, and personal transformation.

On this 14 November, we honour Fr Arrupe’s memory, whose spirit lives on in the work of JRS. May his example inspire us to carry forward this mission of justice, reconciliation, and shared humanity for the greater service of God and the wellbeing of all people.