History of CLC – Jesuits of the Malaysia-Singapore Region

The Christian Life Community is a worldwide lay community whose apostolic origins date back to the Marian Congregations in the 1560s, founded by Belgian Jesuit Jean Leunis. In 1773, People Clemens XIV abolished the Society of Jesus and their apostolic works, including the Marian Congregations. Shortly after, the Marian Congregations were subsumed under the responsibility of local bishops. This mass movement continued to grow as a mass movement devoted to Mary, and lost the original intention of integrating all dimensions of life rooted in the spirituality of St Ignatius, community life and apostolic service.

In 1948, Pope Pius published an “Apostolic Constitution” called “Bis seaculari”, stressing the original Ignatian identity of the Marian Congregations and calling all groups to return to these origins, rooted in the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius. Gradually, the Jesuits and other theologians helped the Marian Congregations to re-connect with the Spiritual Exercises as the foundation of their spirituality and deepen their understanding through offering eight-day Ignatian retreats and the full 30 days of Spiritual Exercises.

In 1967, the Marian Congregations was renamed Christian Life Communities after the 4^th Assembly of World Federation.

Our Mission

The Society of Jesus is called to be on mission with Christ the reconciler, to share God’s work of reconciliation in a broken world,by working for reconciliation with God, with one another, and with creation.

Our Vision

Constantly discerning and drawing from the ﬂow of God’s Grace, and remaining ever rooted in our Jesuit Way of Proceeding, by our Life and Mission in, with, and for the Church, as well as in partnership with others, we bear witness to and work for that fruit of Reconciliation which God in Christ is bearing in our world today.

Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAP)

The Universal Apostolic Preferences are the fruit of a process of discernment lasting almost 2 years, initiated by Father General Reverend Father Arturo Sosa, and in which all Jesuits and mission partners participated. The process concluded with confirmation from Pope Francis.

The preferences provide a horizon for the life-mission of the whole Society of Jesus for the next ten years, starting from 2019. They capture our imaginations and awaken our desires. They unite us in our mission. They are:

Showing the way to God: To Show the Way to God through the Spiritual Exercises and discernment.
Walking with the Excluded: To walk with the poor, the outcasts of the world, those whose dignity has been violated, in a mission of reconciliation and justice.
Journeying with Youth: To accompany young people in the creation of a hope-filled future.
Caring for Our Common Home: To collaborate, with gospel depth, for the protection and renewal of God’s creation.

The Jesuits of Malaysia-Singapore (MAS) have discerned and developed a regional plan responding to the Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAPs). You may access and download a copy of the plan here.

Download MAS Regional Plan 2020-2024

Consistent Culture of Protection

MAS Safeguarding Statement of Commitment

The Jesuits and Partners-in-Mission of the Society of Jesus in the Malaysia-Singapore (MAS) Region are committed to promote and support the consistent culture of protection and well-being of vulnerable persons, including children and young persons.
The MAS Region is fully committed to promote, prevent, and strengthen a safe environment and culture within the Jesuit communities and apostolate works/ministries by living out the MAS Code of Conduct and the Professional Standards protocol and practices to protect minors and vulnerable persons.
Any concerns or violations of the Professional Standards and the MAS Code of Conduct, especially abuse towards minor and vulnerable persons, should be reported to the MAS Safeguarding Office (MSO): mas-safeguarding@jesuits.net

Cura Personalis (a Latin phrase meaning care for the whole person) is a key aspect of Ignatian Spirituality, and the Jesuit way of proceeding. The Jesuits of Malaysia-Singapore are therefore committed to the care of the spiritual, emotional and physical well-being of all those with and for whom we serve.

To help us cultivate a consistent culture of protection in our communities and ministries, after much prayer and deliberation, the Jesuits of Malaysia- Singapore have formulated a Code of Conduct and a set of Professional Standards Protocol.

Both of which are accessible and can be downloaded here (Code of Conduct) and here (Professional Standards Protocol).