On June 12, 2025, Jesuit Communications Executive Director Fr. Nono Alfonso SJ delivered an online presentation before the Jesuit Curia in Rome, detailing JesCom’s evolution from a struggling media apostolate into a dynamic “witness of hope.”
With Father General Arturo Sosa SJ and his general counselors all in attendance via Zoom, Fr. Nono shared an inspiring story of perseverance, innovation, and unbridled faith that resonated deeply with top leaders of the Society of Jesus.
The Crisis Years: Beginnings Amid Desolation
Seventeen years ago, JesCom stood at a crossroads. Newly appointed and freshly ordained, Fr. Nono entered a media ministry hampered by depleted funding, shifting technological landscapes, and little institutional guidance. With international aid diverted elsewhere and local donors prioritizing other causes, JesCom was left to fend for itself financially—just as the rise of digital media upended traditional production models.
The Church, too, was uncertain. Despite declarations from Vatican II’s Inter Mirifica on media evangelization, concrete strategies were left lacking. Communications was not a pastoral priority, leaving media organizations like JesCom with the daunting task of navigating a rapidly evolving media terrain with limited support.
Emerging Hope: The JesCom Turnaround
A. Faithful Lay Collaborators
Hope began to emerge through the dedication of JesCom’s small but spiritually formed lay team. Drawing from strong Ignatian formation, they brought creativity and conviction to their work—pushing for bold projects with major motion pictures like 2016’s Ignacio de Loyola and 2023’s GOMBURZA. These films not only gained national and international acclaim, but also positioned JesCom as a respected cultural and religious voice in media.
With the foresight of a younger generation, JesCom digitized early and began monetizing its content, eventually earning steady revenue online. “Follow their lead,” Fr. Nono reflected, crediting his team for anticipating the digital shift that kept the organization from demise.
B. Strategic Church Alliances
Support from within the Church proved just as vital. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle’s long-running program The Word Exposed became JesCom’s flagship show—internationally syndicated, financially self-sustained, and spiritually influential. JesCom’s role in documenting Pope Francis’s 2015 apostolic and state visit to the Philippines, as well as its media literacy advocacy during times of political turmoil, further cemented its place as a trusted Church partner.
C. Constructive Engagement with Mainstream Media
Rather than retreating from secular media, JesCom embraced it. By partnering with mainstream outlets, JesCom not only expanded its reach but also absorbed industry standards that elevated its production quality and storytelling. “We learned their formula for success,” said Fr. Nono, highlighting how collaboration helped bridge ecclesial mission with media excellence.
JesCom Today: A Witness of Hope
Today, JesCom stands as a model for Catholic and secular media alike—a source of inspiration and a standard for best practices. Its identity remains grounded in Jesuit core values: servant leadership, learned ministry, and a spirituality that continues to see God in all things, even in the chaos of media disruption.
Fr. Nono’s Message to the Curia
In concluding his presentation, Fr. Nono expressed heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to share JesCom’s remarkable journey. He emphasized the power of Ignatian discernment and youthful energy in transforming challenges into hope. “It has been a privilege,” he said, “to witness how the media, when guided by faith, can become a beacon of light.”
The positive response from members of the Jesuit Curia confirmed what Fr. Nono’s journey had already shown: when guided by vision and rooted in mission, media can be a powerful force for good, revealing the Spirit alive at work in our time.
AMDG
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