Father Adolfo Nicolás: A
Jesuit of spiritual depth and universality
 |
| Fr Adolfo Nicolás SJ. |
The Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Fr. Arturo
Sosa Abascal SJ, shares his memories of his predecessor, Fr. Adolfo Nicolas SJ,
84, who died on 20 May in Tokyo, Japan.
By Vatican News
“He will be greatly mourned throughout the Society as a
wise, humble and dedicated Jesuit, a man of grace and wisdom, simple,
unpretentious.” These are the words Fr. Arturo Sosa SJ, Superior General of the
Society of Jesus, used to describe Fr. Adolfo Nicolás.
Father Nicolas, affectionately called “Adolfo” by many – and
“Nico” by the Jesuits of Asia Pacific – is remembered by many for his sense of
humor, courage and humility. As Superior General, he always insisted on
spiritual depth and the universality of the Society of Jesus.
He was elected the thirtieth Superior General of the Society
of Jesus on 19 January 2008. He made countless contributions not only to the
development of the Society, but also to the progress of Consecrated Life in
general, and of the Church. Fr Nicolás also served in various apostolic areas:
as professor of theology, rector of Jesuit scholastics and provincial among
others.
In an interview with Vatican Radio’s Giancarlo La Vella, Fr.
Arturo Sosa SJ shares his recollections of the life and personality of Fr.
Adolfo Nicolás, his predecessor.
A serene Jesuit
Fr. Sosa recalls that Fr. Nicolás was the Secretary-General
of the 34th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus held
in 1995. In those meetings with Jesuits from multiple countries in attendance,
he remarks that Fr. Nicolás’s serenity and way of coordinating the proceedings
of the Congregation had “a great impact” in his life.
When asked about what he inherited from his predecessor, Fr.
Sosa lists five points.
The Jesuit charism
The first, notes Fr. Sosa, is the “confirmation of the
charism of the Society of Jesus.” Fr. Nicolás’s way of living is a pointer to
the “authenticity of being Jesuit in our world.”
Jesuits as missionaries
Fr. Sosa’s second point reiterates the Jesuit missionary
character often emphasized by Fr. Nicolás. “The Society of Jesus is known for
mission, for being outside, for going to the frontiers,” he says.
Fr. Adolfo Nicolás SJ and Pope Francis
Inculturated universality
Fr. Nicolás spent many years of his life working in Japan
and in the Philippines. This experience gave him a multicultural perspective
that he often brought to bear in the larger framework of the universal nature
of the Society of Jesus.
For the third point, Fr. Sosa notes that in the face of the
continuous challenge of creating an intercultural congregation of religious
men, “Fr. Nicolás helped us to be more inculturated.”
Depth
One of the letters Fr. Nicolás wrote to the Society of Jesus
was entitled “from distraction to dedication.” In it, Fr. Nicolás enjoined
Jesuits to avoid superficiality and go deeper into true spiritual and academic
depth.
As the fourth point, Fr. Sosa joins his voice to Fr.
Nicolás’s call, saying that the Society of Jesus has to have “apostolic
audacity in this moment of the history of the world.”
Consultation in government
Finally, Fr. Sosa recalls that Fr. Nicolás’ style of
government was enriched by frequent consultation with others which led to
discerned decision-making. “Fr. Nicolás was a man of decisions but the
decisions were the fruit of a process of discernment,” he says.
In conclusion, Fr. Sosa says he received this inheritance
“with great pleasure” but also as a big challenge.
The funeral Mass for Fr. Adolfo Nicolas was held on 23 May
at 5:00pm in Tokyo, Japan.
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