Fr Peter Scally SJ, graduated in Philosophy and Politics at Sheffield and worked for the Employment Service in Sheffield and then for Christian Life Community in Rome before joining the Jesuits at the age of 26. He has worked at the Jesuit Communications Centre in Dublin, developing the prayer web site Sacred Space. He is now director of Jesuit Media Initiatives, which runs Pray-as-you-go and the online journal Thinking Faith, and is based in Edinburgh.

 

Q.When were the seeds of your vocation sown?

A. One early seed was that when I was a teenager, my Dad, who was an avowed atheist, confided to me his admiration for St Ignatius and the Jesuits.

Q.Why did you choose the Jesuits?

A. When I met my first Jesuit, I was thinking to myself, "These are the guys that my Dad can't help admiring.” But I was also inspired by the Jesuits' commitment to faith and justice, attracted by the great diversity of ministries they undertake, and delighted by the sense of humour of the ones I met.

Q.What aspect of religious life have you found most rewarding?

A. The sense of purpose, I think, the thought that I am part of something bigger than myself and living for something more than just myself, something worthwhile enough to dedicate myself to completely.

Q.What have you found most difficult?

A. Funnily enough, not poverty, chastity or obedience, exactly, but moving on to a new "mission" (I suppose it is a part of obedience, really) when I am just getting used to a place and fond of the people. I hate having to say goodbye. Sometimes I find that very hard to do.

Q.How do you see the work you are currently involved in?

A. One part of my work is Jesuit Media Initiatives that produces the daily prayer podcast, Pray-as-you-go, and the online journal, Thinking Faith. The internet gives us huge new opportunities to evangelise (in the broadest sense) and to help people in their relationship with God - I see this work as an attempt to make the most of those opportunities.

Q. What are the biggest challenges of the work?

A. Keeping up with the technology, which is advancing all the time.

Q.What skills do you need?

A. At first it was a question of IT skills and a bit of creativity, but it has now become a matter of leading a team, which is a different skill.

Q.Have you a tip on how to pray?

A. Listen out for the "still, small voice", not for the earthquake or the fire!

Q. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

A. When I was a novice, a visiting novice master from the States told us all at the end of his talk, just, "don't get weird."

Q.Who from history would you like to invite to a dinner party?

A. Jesus, of course.