Interview with Fr Simon Furtado SJ (Platinum Jubilee)

1. You have just celebrated 70 years in the Society of Jesus - What keeps you active and energetic in your apostolate? The Word of God and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

2. Has the Society of Jesus evolved in the right spirit from the days you joined? I have been so busy & happy in the Retreat Apostolate that I have not had time to see what the others are doing. Besides I have been at Mount St Joseph from 1975 and go to town only once a month, to JMJ Philomena Hospital for the monthly check-up.

3. Is the Society responding to present day challenges effectively? I have blind faith in the present General of the Society of Jesus and his curia. His recent choice of Fr Ralph da Costa as one of India’s Assistants is clear proof that the present General is the right person in the right place.

4. What do you think ‘that one thing’ which differentiates the Society from any other religious institutions? Unquestioning Obedience. Blind Obedience.

5. You have been involved in the retreat ministry for many years now. Are the younger Jesuits motivated enough to involve themselves in this ministry? DhyanAshrama is quite cut off from the other part of the house and is also miles away from the city. The younger members involved in teaching in School and College retire quite early in life. What are they going to do when they retire?

6. The Spiritual Exercises are the unique treasure given by St Ignatius. Are we committed enough to give this treasure to the faithful? There are many religious Orders of men and women in Bangalore who give Retreats; and still the number of men & women religious and lay people that come to DhyanAshrama, Mount St Joseph is big. The response of the participants will make those who give the Retreats committed.

7. What do you think is the major reason for the decline in the number of vocation today? St Ignatius wanted our Educational Institutions to be the seed-beds for vocations. The Principal of the School, usually a Jesuit, does not inspire vocations. He is usually called a cop. We should have many Jesuits teaching Chemistry, Shakespeare, Maths etc