MAGiS is when you go for it!
Have you ever looked at a beautiful sunset and felt as if your heart was going to burst? A moment of inspiration where you wanted to give; to respond to the beauty you were seeing?
Have you ever sat with friends and felt so connected to them and felt so full of love that anything seemed possible?
Have you ever given of your time, talent, skill or a little piece of who you are and felt that maybe, just maybe, you had something worthwhile to give and perhaps you wanted to get more involved, offer more?
These moments are what 'magis' is about. 'Magis' is the desire and inspiration for us to seek more, to be more, to let go of what holds us back. Seeking 'magis' is one of the greatest treasures of our life. St Ignatius used the word 'magis' to talk about a quest for the greater good, always striving for the greater glory of God. We can look to Jesus as the perfect example of what it is to seek the 'magis'. Jesus is God's 'magis' towards us - God giving himself completely and totally.
We believe in a God who wants us to be all we can be - to live life to the full. We can best love God when we are co-operating with God's desire for us to be all we are created to be. Like any loving parent, God is constantly providing for us, acting in our feelings and desires to lead us to what will give us life. Our desire to respond to God's love as best we can is the 'magis'. Loving God the best we can is what we are created for and is what really gives glory to God.
We can use all sorts of technical language to explain 'magis' but it's so much more than a theory that belongs in our head. It is a dynamic that invites a response from every part of us: our head, heart, and hands! Every part of us can be offered to seek the 'magis'.
'Magis' is different for everyone as each person has a different way of responding to the inspirations they feel. Some will be inspired to write amazing songs, some will write poetry, some will do acts of service, some will suffer as they challenge injustice, some will notice the unnoticed, some will open their hearts. There are as many responses as there are people because each one of us is gifted in a unique way! One of the traps in seeking the 'magis' is trying to do more, but sometimes our 'magis' may actually be about letting go of doing - about being more. 'Magis' is to emphasise the quality of our doing and being, instead of simply the act of doing.
It is not always easy to determine the substance of our 'magis'. MAGiS is about helping you discover your particular 'magis'. We offer you just some of the tools necessary to explore how God inspires and draws you into action.
What is MAGiS?
MAGiS is a long-term project designed to foster Ignatian Spirituality in young adults aged 18 to 30. The aim of MAGiS is to produce leaders—people with a sense of God’s place in their lives and a capacity to do something to build a better world.
MAGiS08 , the Ignatian program with World Youth Day 2008, was the first major project under this ministry.
To all we offer a relationship with Jesus based on the life experiences of St Ignatius Loyola. St. Ignatius used the word magis to talk about a quest for the greater good, always striving for the greater glory of God.
In this context, magis—or "the more"—is used like an adverb: to see more (clearly), to love more (dearly), to follow more (closely), emphasising the quality or intensity of our doing, instead of simply the act of doing.
The MAGiS program aims to walk with young adults discovering their identity in their work, at home, and in relationship with others. We are each at a different place in our search for, or walk with, God. MAGiS offers a stepping stone along the way, and companions for the road.
