Fr. Jorge Eduardo Serrano Ordenez, SJ, Assistant Treasurer for Development Resources (ATDR) from Colombia but based in Jesuit Roman Curia visited Patna Jesuit Province from 9- 16 January 2017. While taking a stock of various engagements and systems of the Development Office of Patna Province, he also made it a point to visit many multi-ministerial engagements of Patna Jesuits. His visit began with the Jesuit ministries and communities in Patna (St. Xavier’s College, Digha, Tarumitra-Student’s Forum for Environment, St. Michael’s School, Bihar Dalit Vikas Samiti-Social Centre and Atmadarshan- Ministry of Renewal). In West Champaran district he visited Khrist Raja High school and its units at Gaunaha and Ratanpurwa. He interacted with the staff engaged with social work at Jan Siksha Bhavan, Gaunaha and READ Bettiah. In West Champaran (JSB, READ) and Bodhgaya (Jeevan Sangham) he interacted with children from the Musahar community who are direct beneficiaries of non-formal and innovative education programmes.

Fr. Serrano addressed all the Jesuits in four different Zones ( venue being at St. Michael’s-Patna, READ- Bettiah, St. Xavier’s-Patna, Sampurna Vikas Samiti-Aurangabad) and almost all the communities attended the sessions. In every session, the Director of Development Office, Fr. Siji Varghese introduced Fr. Serrano and presented the status of the Development Office of Patna Jesuit Society. After an hour long presentation of Fr. Serrano, the group had time to share and interact with him on various topics concerning the universal society. He also conducted a workshop for the Province Curia, Consultors and members belonging to the Province Development Team. A visit to the historic holy land of Bodhgaya where the Jesuits are engaged in interreligious dialogue ministry was a memorable one indeed.

While emphasizing on the spirituality of fund raising, Fr. Serrano shared with all the stake holders that we are all ‘companions of Jesus’ with a special vision and mission for the upliftment of the poor and marginalized as partners in mission. The Jesuits, lay companions, beneficiaries and other stake holders all contribute to the accomplishment of the same mission. Quoting the life of St. Ignatius, our Founder, he spoke of development as building relationships. St. Ignatius wrote to his friend and supporter Mrs. Isabel Ferrer Roser, “...For God our Lord requires us to regard and love the giver more than the gift, so that we always keep him before our eyes, in our soul and in our heart” (MHSI Epp. IGN I, 85). Fr. Serrano also shared that when we request people to support our engagements for and with the poor, we help people to transform themselves and find meaning in their life. He invited the province to build up further on mobilization of resources locally.

Fr. Serrano’s charming, enthusiastic and energizing presence was very encouraging for all in Patna Province. He would always be remembered.