We are delighted to share this interview with Maria Jennifer A. Concepcion, Assistant Principal for Formation at Ateneo de Manila University-Senior High School, Quezon City, Philippines, who participated as a facilitator in the Four Key Practices of Ignatian Spirituality course. This course is a facilitator-led global course that offers a new synchronous global learning experience for Ignatian educators. A new course modality that allows members of our global community to learn together in global groups with educators from different Jesuit schools around the world.

Maria Jennifer’s participation as a facilitator not only contributed to delivering on the holistic vision of education offered by Jesuit schools but it has also helped us, as a community, to keep growing as contemporary Jesuit educators. Thank you Maria Jennifer!

Without further ado here is Maria Jennifer’s facilitation experience.

If you are interested in knowing more about our facilitation opportunities, please contact Géllert Merza at info@educatemagis.org

Q1. What is your full name, current job title, job responsibilities, school name, city and country where you work? 

Maria Jennifer A. Concepcion. Assistant Principal for Formation – Senior High School (leads the school in the areas of Spiritual Formation, Guidance and Counseling, Homeroom, Discipline and Social Involvement). Ateneo de Manila University, Senior High School, Quezon City, Philippines

Q2. Where were you born? Can you briefly share with us a special memory from your own biography that relates to your first interest (curiosity) in Christian faith and Jesuit/Ignatian spirituality?  

I was born in Manila, in the Philippines. It is an old city and we used to live in Tondo near the Sto. Nino church. I remember the very festive fiesta in honor of the Sto. Nino. The other side of the family was also active in their parish that’s why I remember joining the Flores de Mayo organized by my grandmother. These celebrations were on top of the weekly masses we attended.

I was influenced to develop a love for music by my grandmother who was a music teacher. My involvement in a church choir and our school choirs were opportunities to be active in church. Even until now, my choir sings regularly for masses including the Holy Week Triduum in the university.

I met Jesuits at an early age because my mother who was a college teacher in Ateneo de Manila. I eventually studied in this university and stayed on to be a teacher in high school.

Q3. What is your relationship to the Jesuit/Ignatian spirituality? How important is it for your life, your personal ethos, to work for or be part of the Jesuit/Ignatian global community?  

Being part of a Jesuit Institution is a vital part of my life. Aside from being formed as a student, a teacher and leader in this school, I met lifelong friends, including my husband, in Ateneo. The commitment to be a person for others was instilled in me through my work as a formator and strengthened through my meaningful interactions with the people around me.

Deepening the rootedness of my faith in the Ignatian Spirituality helps me face the challenges in this mission with grit and love.

Q4. Based on your personal experience, and your participation and facilitation of the Four Key Practices of Ignatian Spirituality course how do you feel it integrates with the global context of the document « Jesuit Schools: A Living Tradition in the 21st Century »?  

The course helps lay formators to have a deeper understanding of the Ignatian Spirituality and to develop a more meaningful relationship with Christ. This is relevant as Jesuits share the role of forming the young with their lay partners. Such experience will make Jesuit education more sustainable even with declining number of Jesuit priests and brothers.

Q5. What other examples of global education projects or intercultural initiatives can you share with us from your own past in which you have been involved and what would you like to be involved in in the future? 

As a student, I was part of a tour of our university choir. As a math teacher, I joined benchmarking visits and participated in international conferences Eventually, my administrative role allowed me to organize school visits abroad for teachers and study tours for students. Recently, I served as a parent assistant in the tour of my children’s choir. All these experiences exposed me to other culture and pushed me to reflect on how I can share the Filipino culture to the world. More importantly, the interactions during these activities allowed me to meet people and deepen relationships.

The online platform opened more avenues to provide global experiences around the world. I look forward to participate in more online courses and conversations. I will also encourage more students and teachers to experience these as well.

We will continue to provide enriching experiences for the members of our institution through the ASHS Global Experience program.

Q6. What has been your experience so far (positive/challenging aspects) in your active participation as a participant and facilitator in the Ignatian Spirituality course cohorts hosted by Educate Magis?  

Finding a good schedule is a practical challenge since there are other activities in school during the day and the other options are quite late so staying awake to attend live sessions requires a lot of effort. Working on the materials per lesson is also demanding. The videos and readings are long and entail taking down some notes.

Q7. Why do you think (if you do) it is important for Jesuit educators to learn about, practice and model Ignatian practices, such as the Examen, Discernment, Spiritual Conversation and being Contemplatives in Action in Jesuit schools around the world? 

Learning these practices go hand in hand with understanding how St. Ignatius chose to put Christ at the center of his life. These practices provide concrete ways of deepening ones prayer life that will eventually translate to making sound decisions, building community and serving others.

Q8. What is your favourite quote/phrase related to Ignatian Spirituality, from a historical or a modern figure that you admire?

As a student and formator in a Jesuit school for three decades now, the line in the song/prayer Take and Receive: “Do what Thou wilt, command, and I obey” has always been powerful. This continues to inspire me to be open to God’s desire for me and to embrace the opportunities that I am blessed with.