My name is Clément Poret and I am currently a Jesuit novice in Birmingham. The novitiate is the first stage of Jesuit formation. It lasts two years and involves different kind of experiences to help us grow in our human and spiritual life: I did last year the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius Loyola in Wales, a time of service in a nursing home in London and a month of pilgrimage in Ireland. I am also often on the road as our refugee friends.

I have now been sent to Brussels for pastoral work and testimonies in the European secondary schools for six weeks. I live in a Jesuit community gathering Jesuits working at the European level including Alberto Ares the director of JRS Europe. I have been pleased to visit the team of JRS regional office in Brussels at his invitation.

I have first been in touch with the theme of migration as I was living in Howrah close to Kolkata in India. I was a volunteer in a local organisation running children’s hostels and programs in the slums. I discovered the reality of internally displaced people because of economic and climate issues. The hostel in which I was living welcomed a great diversity of children with different ethnic and religious backgrounds. Many had come to Kolkata despairing to find a job and better their life.

I stayed in India during a gap year in the middle of my engineering and physics studies. This scientific background led me to explore further the root causes of migrations, especially the environmental crisis. It led me to the decision not to carry on with a PhD in material sciences but rather to take a more social path. I then worked in a vocational school in Toulouse south of France – founded by a Jesuit brother – that was giving a formation in machining to young people out of the classical school system. Some of them were migrants under eighteen years old coming from sub-Saharan Africa after tragic family events.

At that time, after a two-year process of discernment, I decided to join the Society of Jesus. I heard about the history of the JRS during my first year of novitiate. I was so moved that I decided to do a little reading project on the history of JRS and to introduce it to my fellow-novices and formators. I tried to communicate the deep intuition of Father Arrupe and the spirituality of accompaniment and service lived out by so many Jesuits and friends encouraged by his deep desire to be with refugees on the journey.

Moreover, in Birmingham I have the opportunity every Friday to volunteer at a community project providing support for refugees and migrants. I help organising a community cafe to build bonds and reduce isolation and I visit asylum seekers’ accommodations.

The upheavals because of conflicts or the environmental crisis will push more and more people on the roads. The commitment of so many talented people in JRS nourishes my hope and own desire to serve our brothers and sisters. May they be blessed and strengthened for this crucial mission of our time.