In his latest Apostolic Letter of October 27, 2025, “DRAWING NEW MAPS OF HOPE” Pope Leo XIV says: “On the sixtieth anniversary of Gravissimum educationis (Vatican II), the Church celebrates a fruitful educational history, but also faces the imperative of updating her offerings in light of the signs of the times … The Second Vatican Council reminded the Church that education is not an ancillary activity, but forms the very fabric of evangelization: it is the concrete way in which the Gospel becomes an educational gesture, a relationship, a culture” (1.1), the Pope said.
“Where educational communities allow themselves to be guided by the word of Christ, they do not retreat, but are revitalized; they do not build walls, but bridges. They respond with creativity, opening up new possibilities for the transmission of knowledge and meaning in schools, universities, professional and civic training, school and youth ministry, and research, because the Gospel does not grow old but makes “all things new” (Rev 21:5)” (1.1)
“Faced with the many millions of children around the world who still do not have access to primary education, how can we fail to act? Confronted with the dramatic educational emergencies caused by wars, migration, inequalities and various forms of poverty, how can we not feel the urgency to renew our commitment? … Education, as I recalled in my Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi te (4 October 2025, no. 68), “is one of the highest expressions of Christian charity. The world needs this form of hope” (1.3).
In Thailand, we are engaged in different kinds of educational ministry: the Xavier Hall Student ministry, the Spiritual Leadership Program, and spiritual direction and teaching at the Lux Mundi Major Seminary, the Seven Fountains Retreat and Student Center, the Xavier Learning Community and the two schools in Mae Hong Son sponsored by JRS Thailand. All these educational ministries are still relevant today.
The Pope ends his exhortation encouraging us to continue being faithful to this important ministry: “I entrust this journey to the Virgin Mary, Sedes Sapientiae, and to all the sainted educators. I appeal to Pastors, consecrated men and women, laypeople, those responsible for institutions, teachers and students: be servants of the world of education, choreographers of hope, tireless seekers of wisdom, credible creators of expressions of beauty” (11.3).
By Fr. Miguel
