Pedro Arrupe: A Heart Larger Than the World

by Brian Grogan SJ

Overview

2023 Illumination Book Awards Gold Medalist, Biography/Memoir, Inspiration
2023 Independent Press Awards Winner, Biography - General
2023 Association of Catholic Publishers Excellence in Publishing Awards, Second Place, Biography

THE TERM “MODERN-DAY SAINT” is thrown around lightly these days, but rarely does it describe a person as well as it does Fr. Pedro Arrupe, SJ. Often referred to as “the second founder” of the Jesuits, Arrupe led the Society of Jesus beginning in 1965 during a time of profound transformation. He coined the phrase “men for others” and inspired educators at Jesuit Institutions to educate “men and women for others.”

Born in Spain in 1907, Arrupe felt an irrepressible urge to help and serve others whenever possible, eventually joining the Jesuits at age twenty. But it was his extraordinary experiences responding to the aftermath of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, that engraved on his heart his dedication to justice and service.

And while the specific events that drove him to devote his life to service were unique and traumatic, the need for ordinary people to step forward and do the right thing—the compassionate thing—is as urgent as ever.

This highly readable biography of Pedro Arrupe unpacks his life, times, and spirituality and helps readers answer the question: “What difference can I make?”

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780829455205
Publisher:	Loyola Press
Publication date:	07/27/2022
Pages:	144
Sales rank:	673,526
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.00(h) x (d)
Age Range:	12 - 18 Years

About the Author

DR. BRIAN GROGAN, SJ, is a former President of  Milltown Institute of Theology and Philosophy, Dublin, an Emeritus Associate Professor of Spirituality there. He was also Director and Editor of Sacred Space, a worldwide online prayer site of the Irish Jesuits. He has written extensively on Ignatian spirituality and has lectured and led workshops for many years. Currently he is Superior of the Jesuit House of Writers in Dublin.

Table of Contents

Introduction xi

1 Pedro's Spirituality 1

Encountering the Man

The Density of God

A Man in Love

The Hand of the Father

The Heart of the Son

The Vision of the Holy Spirit

2 Always Choosing God 15

The Language of the Heart

Choices, Choices!

Contemplative in Action

A Demanding Love

Helping Those in Need

Trust in Providence

3 Early Years, 1907-1938 31

The Context

Family

Meeting Poverty in Madrid

"What Am I Doing Here?"

Cures in Lourdes

Vocation

The Closeness of God

Jesuit Formation, 1927-1938

Tridentine Theology

4 Japan, 1938-1965 49

A Dream Fulfilled

History of Japan

Culture

Character

"You Do Not Lie!"

Solitary Confinement

Director of Novices

The Oven of Hiroshima

The Medic

Where Is God?

Provincial Superior

5 Superior General, 1965-1983 69

Gifts and Limits

The One Who Gives Me Strength

Need for Jesuit Renewal

Yesterday's Answers

Jesuit Aggiornamento

Ignatian Spirituality

Corporate Discernment

6 The Challenge of Renewal 83

Second Founder?

Inertia or Change?

"God Is Leading Us"

Institution and Charism

Pedro and Pope Paul VI

7 Visionary Leader 95

Men and Women for and with Others

"All Created Equal"

The Integrated Life

Other Addresses

A Sign of Contradiction

8 Globe-Trotter 107

"If We Are Static. We Die"

Ireland

Change and Confusion

An Eye to Social Justice

A Time of Suffering

Final Visit

9 Diary of a General 115

Daily Routine

A Prayer-Filled Life

Talking with God

"Here I Am, Lord!"

Mystic with Open Eyes

"How to Do?"

Eucharist

10 The Struggle for Justice 129

The 1971 Synod

Justice in the Church

Vatican Reaction

The Jesuits and Justice

Leadership

11 The 32nd General Congregation, 1974-1975 139

Resignation?

Faith and Justice

Solidarity with the Poor

Profession for All?

"Let the Matter Not Be Treated!"

Pedro's Apology

In the Eye of the Storm

Spanish Jesuits

"Turn Back the Clock!"

Graced Conflict?

12 Pope John Paul II 155

A Singular Figure

Selective Freedom?

Creativity or Fidelity?

Liberation Theology

Submission of Resignation

13 The Last Act 163

The Jesuit Refugee Service

"My Swan Song"

Cerebral Thrombosis

The Pope's Letter of Sympathy

Marginalized

Jesuit Response

Paolo Dezza

14 Life without Event, 1981-1991 175

The Duty of Suffering

Sickness as Gift

"Everything Broken, Everything Useless"

Nourishing the Spirit

Totally in God's Hands

Conversations

Reconciliation

"The Enemies Were Wrong!"

15 Death and Beyond 195

Worldwide Tributes

Beyond Death

16 Legacy 203

New Pathways

God Is Intimate

Creative Fidelity within the Church

Openness to Unfolding Reality

Mysticism of History

Hope-Filled Prophet of the Twenty-First Century

Pedro's Influence on Pope Francis

Au Revoir

Postscript: "Fall In Love!" 211

Appendix A Arrupe's Final Speech to the Delegates of the 33rd General Congregation, September 3, 1983 215

Appendix B Prayer for Beatification of Pedro Arrupe 219

Chronology of Pedro Arrupe, SJ, 1907-1991 221

An Eight-Day Mini-Retreat with Pedro Arrupe 229

Day One

Day Two

Day Three

Day Four

Day Five

Day Six

Day Seven

Day Eight

Bibliography 243

Acknowledgments 247

Endnotes 249

About the Author 261

How God Came in Search of Ignatius 262

Who Is Seeking Whom?

All Reality Seeks God

What Was Ignatius Like?

Conquistadors

Enter God

Jesus Becomes His Lord