"Go forth and reach out to all people

at the margins of society!"

- Pope Francis

I've spent time at the margins with the humanitarian organization, CARE. Along the way, I kept a distance from faith-based charities and churches. No condemnations, I didn't fit in with them. For me, religion is like money or politics, the best rule is - don't talk about it.

Then, I met the Jesuits ... not a lot of talk; no hype or proselytizing. They just do. Ignatius, their founder was a soldier. When I read his autobiography, he writes like a warrior. He was wounded, frightened and confused. Anyone who's carried a weapon in battle will relate. He was forged in the crucible of war.

In Honduras, the Jesuits opened their door to me. The country was alien, but I was drawn. I don't know what I was looking for, but I came. I've done humanitarian food distributions, refugee camps, access and kidnap negotiations, water and sanitation, human rights protection and witnessing. What's left?

Theater?

Involving myself in a production.

'I think not!'

'Come on guys, let's get on with doing something real!'

You're 'the Jesuits,' show me some margins!

But, life is a journey, isn't it?

When we allow it ,,, it enlightens,,,?

I'm working in the middle of "teatro la fragua' [theater of the forge]. They are preparing for their production of George Orwell's book, Animal Farm. It was written in 1945 about Communism. They adapted it to 2019; about the current conditions in Honduras. The actors are brilliant. On the day of the presentation, I'm in the lighting booth above the audience. My companion is explaining the nuances of the layout of the theater. I'm impressed. There's more to this than some seats facing a stage, but I'm more touched by his passion. He loves this.

The audience arrives. They're from the middle school on the Jesuit campus. I expect mayhem, but what I see is genuine interest. Rapt attention? No, they're still 13-15 years old, but they get it. This is a story about their lives and surroundings - corruption, drugs, violence, death, flight, fear, betrayal, hope - more betrayal.

Watching the young people, the name, 'la fragua' takes on new meaning, Webster says, 'to forge, form and bring into being especially by an expenditure of effort.' My companion tells me, "theater is inherently political and more often ties directly to the social fabric of when it is created.' I realize la fragua is a means to create change. It is the place where the human imperatives of equality, rights and justice are forged into action with the heat and fierceness of passion and understanding.

My sponsor, Padre Jack has been in Honduras for more than 40 years. Four decades, building a theater that speaks for the people; not at them. He has strength. It is from his actions. He is creative and audacious and not afraid. His accompaniment is artistic rather than rhetorical.

He forged teatro la fragua. His theater addresses the injustice, crime, violence and corruption throughout Honduras. The productions do not stay in the relative safety of the Jesuit compound. The majority of their efforts are in the small villages and towns throughout the countryside. They bring their work to the people. I see the threads of their creativity. They are tendrils of understanding and unity. The production's courage intersects with the audience. The connections are tangible. They are physical encounters. These people are not alone.

This is the margin and teatro la fragua speaks for the oppressed.

I am honored to be here.

--Robert Séamus Macpherson.