Book Description

The 31st General Congregation of the Society of Jesus which took place between May, 1965 and November, 1966, in its decree on 'The Task of the Society regarding Atheism' says the following: The glory of God, as the goal of all creation and man's own good required that he acknowledge, reverence, and serve God. Hence, the danger of atheism which faces so many men today should greatly stimulate the companions of Jesus to offer a purer witness of religious life and a more zealous devotion to apostolic work. The denial of God is no longer, as in former centuries, an isolated phenomenon; it has become widespread, affecting entire social groups and nations. In some countries, atheism is systematically spread by public authority, thereby violating the rights of man to the free investigation of truth and the practice of religion. In many more regions, the denial of God or indifference to religion has directly or indirectly infected cultural and social life. The Supreme Pontiff, Paul VI, on the occasion of the gathering of the Fathers for the 31st General Congregation, committed to the Society, in view of its special vow of obedience, the task of resisting atheism “with forces united”. Each Jesuit, therefore, earnestly though humbly, should take part in this task by prayer and action, and each one should be grateful that he can thus better serve “his Lord alone and the Church, His spouse, under the guidance of the Roman Pontiff, the Vicar of Christ on earth” Keeping in mind the mandate of Pope Paul VI and its whole-hearted acceptance by the 31st General Congregation, the highest legislative body in the Society of Jesus, this little study on the 'Problem and the Reality of God' was written in 1974, towards the end of my studies in Theology. It is my humble, yet earnest, hope that, through quiet, if possible, prayerful reflection on the contents of these pages, at least a handful of 'seekers of the truth' will be helped to pierce through the dark clouds of unbelief gathering around us – foreboding destruction and death – to catch a glimpse of that Mysterious Loving Presence ‘in whom we live and move and have our being' – that Ultimate, Intensely Personal Truth, who alone can give direction to our confused minds, meaning and purpose to our tireless strivings, joy to our troubled hearts, and peace to our restless spirits. Fr. Joseph M. Dias, S.J., St. Stanislaus' Junior College, Bandra, Bombay-400 050. 14th September, 1978.