Pedro Arrupe 1 of 5

Summary

Pedro Arrupe, a Jesuit priest, led a life deeply intertwined with pivotal historical events. Born in Spain, he entered the medical field before a visit to Lourdes sparked his religious vocation. Exiled during the Spanish Civil War, he studied in Belgium and the Netherlands, then served as a missionary in Japan. There, he experienced the Hiroshima bombing firsthand, which profoundly influenced his commitment to peace. His story is one of resilience, intercultural understanding, and a dedication to service within the Catholic Church.

Takeaways

• 🏫 Georgetown University, like other Jesuit institutions, is known for its commitment to community service and Christian values.
• 🙏 The story of Pedro Arrupe, a Jesuit priest, is deeply intertwined with significant historical events and the Society of Jesus.
• 👶 Born in the Basque region of Spain, Arrupe was influenced by the miracles he witnessed at the Marian Shrine of Lourdes, leading to his religious vocation.
• 🎓 A top medical student, Arrupe's path shifted towards theology and spirituality, influenced by his experiences in Lourdes.
• 🌎 The Spanish Civil War forced Arrupe into exile, where he continued his religious studies in Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United States.
• 📚 Fluent in multiple languages, Arrupe was assigned to Japan as a missionary, focusing on intercultural understanding.
• 🕊 Despite initial personal struggles, Arrupe immersed himself in Japanese culture and authored several books on spiritual exercises in Japanese.
• 💥 On August 6, 1945, Arrupe and his students survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, an event that deeply affected him.
• 🗞️ Arrupe became a notable figure for his firsthand account of the atomic bomb's aftermath, sharing his experiences with reporters and military investigators.
• 🌟 His experiences, including imprisonment and witnessing the atomic bomb's devastation, shaped Arrupe's life and spiritual leadership within the Catholic Church.

Q & A

What is the common thread among Jesuit universities in the US?

Jesuit universities in the US share a dedication to a brand of Christian commitment to community and service.

Who is Pedro Arrupe and what is his significance in the script?

Pedro Arrupe was a Jesuit priest who played a significant role in the Catholic Church and the Society of Jesus. His life and experiences are central to the narrative of the script.

What event led to Pedro Arrupe's vocation as a Jesuit?

Witnessing three miraculous cures in Lourdes, which were verified by atheist doctors, impressed Pedro Arrupe and led to his vocation.

Why did Pedro Arrupe leave Spain?

Pedro Arrupe was forced to leave Spain due to the new Republican government's expulsion of all Jesuits from the country during the onset of the Spanish Civil War.

Where did Pedro Arrupe go into exile and why?

Pedro Arrupe went into exile first in Belgium, then in the Netherlands, due to the expulsion of Jesuits from Spain.

What was Pedro Arrupe's mission in Japan?

Pedro Arrupe was assigned to be a missionary in Japan, where he studied the language and worked on intercultural understanding.

How did Pedro Arrupe's experience in Japan shape his life?

Arrupe's time in Japan, including his imprisonment for suspected espionage, deepened his understanding of solitude, poverty, and inner dialogue, which shaped his spiritual life.

What significant event did Pedro Arrupe witness on August 6, 1945?

Pedro Arrupe witnessed the dropping of the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima from outside the city limits.

What was the immediate aftermath of the atomic bomb that Pedro Arrupe observed?

Arrupe observed a blinding light, a formidable explosion, and dense smoke arising from the city, followed by a procession of injured people.

How did Pedro Arrupe's experience in Hiroshima influence his later life?

His experience as a witness to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima led Pedro Arrupe to be frequently called upon to share his story, which became a significant part of his legacy.

Outlines

00:00

🎓 Pedro Arup's Early Life and Jesuit Commitment

The video script introduces Georgetown University, a Jesuit institution known for its student energy and commitment to community service, a tradition stemming from Jesuit priest Pedro Arup. Arup's life is marked by significant historical events, beginning with his birth in the Basque region of Spain, the same area that gave rise to Ignatius of Loyola and Francis Xavier. Orphaned at a young age, Arup pursued medical studies at the University of Madrid, where he excelled. His path took a spiritual turn after witnessing miraculous cures at the Marian Shrine of Lourdes, leading him to embrace a Jesuit life. The narrative then moves to the Spanish Civil War, forcing Arup into exile in Belgium and the Netherlands. He was later sent to Japan as a missionary, where he faced cultural challenges and personal struggles, including imprisonment on suspicion of espionage during World War II.

05:01

🌟 Arup's Experiences in Hiroshima and Post-War Reflections

The script continues with Arup's missionary work in Japan, focusing on his efforts to understand and engage with Japanese and Korean novices despite cultural barriers. He authored several books on spiritual exercises in Japanese, showcasing his dedication to intercultural understanding. A pivotal moment in his life was the morning of August 6, 1945, when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Arup and his students, located just outside the city, survived the blast, which was partially shielded by a hill. The script vividly describes the aftermath, with Arup witnessing the devastating effects of the bomb and the suffering of its victims. His experiences led to his becoming a prominent witness and storyteller of the atomic bombing, contributing to historical records and discussions on the event's impact.

Keywords

💡Jesuit

The term 'Jesuit' refers to a member of the Society of Jesus, a religious order within the Catholic Church founded by Ignatius of Loyola. In the video, Jesuit colleges and universities are highlighted for their dedication to Christian commitment and community service, which is a core aspect of the Jesuit educational philosophy. Father Pedro Arup, the main subject of the video, is a Jesuit priest whose life and work embody these principles.

💡Pedro Arup

Pedro Arup is a central figure in the video, a Jesuit priest who served as the head of a prominent religious organization within the Catholic Church. His life is marked by significant historical events and his dedication to the Jesuit mission of education and service. The video chronicles his journey from his early experiences in Spain to his missionary work in Japan, including his survival of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

💡Catholic Church

The Catholic Church is the largest Christian denomination, with a rich history and a global presence. In the context of the video, the Catholic Church is the religious institution to which the Jesuits belong and within which Father Pedro Arup serves. His leadership within the Church is noted, particularly his role in guiding the Society of Jesus during a period of significant change.

💡Spanish Civil War

The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) was a conflict between the Republicans, who were a coalition of left-wing groups, and the Nationalists, led by General Francisco Franco. The video mentions the war as a pivotal moment in Father Arup's life, leading to his exile from Spain and the beginning of his international journey as a Jesuit priest.

💡Exile

Exile refers to the state of being expelled from one's native country. In the video, Father Arup and other Jesuits were forced into exile due to the anti-Catholic policies of the Spanish Republic during the Civil War. This period of displacement had a profound impact on Arup's life, shaping his experiences and perspectives.

💡Intercultural Understanding

Intercultural understanding is the ability to comprehend and respect cultural differences. Father Arup's work in Japan, as depicted in the video, is a testament to his commitment to intercultural understanding. He learned the Japanese language and culture, which allowed him to communicate effectively with the people he served and to write books on spiritual exercises in Japanese.

💡Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima

The atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, was a pivotal moment in history and a central event in the video. Father Arup and his novices were just outside the city when the bomb was dropped. The video recounts their experiences during and after the bombing, highlighting the devastation and the human suffering they witnessed.

💡Vocation

A vocation is a strong sense of purpose or calling to a particular occupation or way of life. In the context of the video, Father Arup's vocation as a Jesuit is shaped by his experiences and his commitment to service. His vocational journey takes him from medical school to the priesthood and missionary work, reflecting a deep spiritual calling.

💡Miraculous Cures

Miraculous cures refer to unexplained healings, often attributed to divine intervention. In the video, Father Arup's early experiences with what he perceived as miraculous cures in Lourdes, France, played a significant role in his decision to embrace a religious vocation. These events were a catalyst for his spiritual awakening and commitment to the Jesuit order.

💡Spiritual Exercises

Spiritual exercises are practices designed to deepen one's relationship with the divine. Father Arup is noted in the video for writing books on spiritual exercises in Japanese, reflecting his dedication to sharing the Jesuit tradition of spiritual growth and self-reflection with the people he served in Japan.

Highlights

Georgetown University, like other Jesuit institutions, is known for its commitment to community and service.

Pedro Arup's dedication to Christian values is a common thread among Jesuit universities.

Father Pedro Arup's final appearance as head of a prominent Catholic religious organization.

The emotional turmoil leading to Father Arup's farewell and the election of his successor.

Pedro Arup's life shaped by significant historical events and his service in the Society of Jesus.

Arup's Basque origins and early life, including the loss of his parents at a young age.

His academic excellence in medical school and early recognition with awards.

Arup's spiritual awakening and vocation after witnessing miraculous cures in Lords.

Exile during the Spanish Civil War and continued theological studies in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Assignment as a missionary in Japan and dedication to intercultural understanding.

Arup's experience of loneliness and cultural immersion during his missionary work in Japan.

Imprisonment in Japan during World War II on suspicion of espionage.

The challenges of directing novices from different cultures and Arup's efforts to understand them.

Surviving the atomic bomb in Hiroshima and the immediate aftermath as witnessed by Arup and his students.

Arup's testimony of the atomic bomb's devastating effects and the human suffering he observed.

The long-lasting impact of Father Arup's experiences and his role as a witness to history.

Transcripts

[Music]

Georgetown University campus much like

27 other Jesuit colleges and

universities in the US abounds with

student energy and

optimism less immediately apparent to

the Casual Observer is something all

Jesuit universities have in common a

dedication to a brand of Christian

commitment to community and service that

can be largely traced to one Jesuit

priest named Pedro

[Music]

Arup September 13th

1983 father Pedro Arup makes his last

formal appearance as head of the largest

and one of the most prominent religious

organizations in the Catholic Church

the warm reception he enjoys at his

Farewell fails to reveal the agonizing

turmoil that has led to this day and to

the election of his

successor only those present might note

the significance of small

details kissing the hand of father deta

who Pope John Paul II had appointed to

replace him 25 months

before the wiping of a tear by father

Vincent O'Keefe is second in command for

18

years my most respected and dear father

Arup the story of Pedro Arup turns out

to be of a man whose life is shaped by

course changing events in the history of

the world of the church and the Society

of Jesus

[Music]

he was born in the same fiercely

independent Bas country of Northern

Spain that had produced ignacius lyola

and Francis Xavier more than four

centuries

earlier Pedro is the youngest of five

children his mother dies when he is 10

his father 8 years

later at the early age of 15

he leaves home to enter medical school

at the University of

Madrid in his first year he wins the top

prize in anatomy the first of many

awards he is on his way to finishing

medical school in the top tier of his

class when he accepts an invitation to

visit the Marian Shrine of Lords as a

member of a commission responsible for

attesting or not attesting to the

validity of miraculous claims

for me luds is a city of Miracles I stay

there for some three months I was thus

the witness of three miraculous cures

from the very moment they took place in

the midst of the faithful who were

praying to the Virgin Mary and then on

through the medical verification that

was carried out by doctors who were

atheists this impressed me very much

because I had often heard my professors

in Madrid who also were theists speak of

the superstitions of

Lords there was born my

[Music]

vocation it is 1927 when a rupe Embraces

the secluded life of a Jesuit in

training his studies return him to his

Basque Homeland in the shadow of the

Basilica dedicated to ignacius

[Music]

lyola by

1932 Spain is on the brink of Civil War

the new Republican government sees the

Catholic Church as a cause of many of

the very social ills it seeks to cure

the Spanish Republic's new constitution

expels all Jesuits from the

country AR rupe joins his fellow

seminarians in Exile first in Belgium

then in the

Netherlands after being ordained a

priest he continues his theological and

spiritual training in the United

States it is now 1938 at the brink of

World War II when he is unexpectedly

assigned to become a missionary in

Japan already multilingual Arup dives

into his study of Japanese and a

lifelong mission of Intercultural

understanding I must say that at the

time I did not focus on the Transcendent

aspect of the missionary experience but

rather on certain negative personal

aspects the discovery of a reality

different from what I expected and above

all the feeling of

loneliness and I experienced an even

greater loneliness when I went to Ubie

21 hours by train from Tokyo for my

first mission assignments although I

spoke Japanese only very poorly another

important personal event was my

imprisonment for one month in

Yamaguchi Japan was at War and I was

suspected of Espionage I spent days and

nights in the December cold entirely

alone many were the things I learned

during this time the signs of Silence of

solitude of severe and austere poverty

of inner dialogue with the guest of my

soul when later he was made the director

of

novices uh these were all Japanese with

some

Koreans uh for this Westerner to deal

with with somebody from a completely

different culture it was very difficult

but he had made it a point to try to get

inside the culture so he could really

talk to these people and he was good at

it in fact he ended up writing about six

books in Japanese on the spiritual

exercises

August 6th

1945 begins as an unremarkable morning

for Arup and his young Jesuit students

on the outskirts of

Hiroshima the hum of an approaching

airplane does not seem particularly

threatening they're used to hearing

armadas of bombers overhead today there

is no siren to raise the level of fear

[Music]

[Music]

e so on August the 6 1945 when the first

Adam Bomb fell on yoshima Arup and his

group were just outside the city limits

they heard it and they everything blew

apart in the house they didn't know what

it was the fate of Father Arup and his

novices is later filmed for the record

by the American government a group of

Jesuits who were teaching in Hiroshima

witnessed and survived the

explosion between zero point and the

main building of the noviciate of

Jesuits was a hill which served to

lessen the intensity of the blast yet

despite this protection the glass and

the doors of the main entrance foyer

were shattered and the paned ceiling was

blown Loose by the force of the

explosion occurring four miles away

father would you introduce yourself

please in future years aupe would be

called upon many times to tell his story

beginning immediately with us newspaper

reporters and Military investigators

what were you doing hosim at the time of

the explosion suddenly we saw a blinding

light like a flash of

magnesium we heard a formidable

explosion after about 15 minutes we

noticed that in the direction of the

city dense smoke

arose we climbed a hill to get a better

view before us was a decimated

Hiroshima

father he's been famous for that for

having been having been one of the

Witnesses of the falling of the first

atomic

bomb I shall never forget my first sight

of what was the result of the atomic

bomb a group of young women 18 to 20

years old clinging to one another as

they drag themselves along the road on

and on they came a steady procession

numbering some 150,000 000