Artist: Jane Hulley

The Protea as our Symbol

At present, we use our World CLC Logo, reflecting our sense of identity with the World Community. For our World Assembly in 2003, we chose, as our Symbol, the Protea - a large family of South African flowering plants with many different and unique varieties. 

Members from different regions contributed ideas, drawings and paintings. A Bookmark, Poster and a Banner were made, defining our Protea symbol as “A Communal Cup, Born of Fire”, pointing to the saving grace of the Eucharist and our CLC journey of suffering, perseverance and hope in the context of our turbulent South African history. The symbol can be explained in terms of our community as follows:

ORIGINS: distinctly indigenous. Proteas need fire for healthy growth. Fires help seeds germinate and eliminate undesirable growth. We associate fire with the Holy Spirit and St. Ignatius, the meaning of his name. Jesus said, “I have come to bring fire to the earth”. (Luke 12 v 49.)

FLAMES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT OR THE FIRES OF TRIBULATION! Our history of our Christian Life community (CLC) in SA can be traced to seeds sown by a Jesuit and Dominican Sisters, working in the early 70’s with Christian Life Groups in schools (CLG). Later the adult CLC was formed in Johannesburg and a lay full time worker helped spread CLC in other regions of the country, namely the Eastern and Western Cape. In the early beginnings, some “fires of tribulation” and even disasters were encountered. yet good foundations had been laid and CLC continued. To-day members and groups from the early days are still active and we believe that the early formation of CLC was a work of the Holy Spirit ("If it is of God it will endure..."). The S.A. CLC was favourably influenced and helped by CLC Germany and Formation programmes from Canada, France etc., though distinctly South African in character.

GROWTH: The Protea is hardy, survives, and thrives in wild places and in conditions of drought, wind and heat, storing moisture in its leaves. Despite dry periods and times of crisis and desolation, CLC South Africa has endured and grown, surviving bad times through perseverance and drawing on the 'moisture' of the good foundation.

COMPOST: provided by the leaves that drop off and feed the soil around the plant, is essential for growth. In CLC we have been severely 'pruned' at times. With much prayer and patience, our community has grown in wisdom and humility - more aware of our strengths, weaknesses and vulnerabilities and our dependence on God. Great healing has taken place in our country and in the hearts of our CLC members.

FLOWERS:  Protea flowers are long lasting and attractive, even when dry. The flowers are beautiful and the many petals remind us of members of our groups – together forming individual flowers – offerings of gratitude. The flowers are also cup-shaped, reminding us of the Eucharist, at the heart of our community.

SEEDS: Wind and birds spread protea seeds – the wind of the Holy Spirit inspires our mission.

SPECIES: The Protea is part of a large family, with many different and unique varieties. This is true of CLC. There are many different, unique and interesting individuals and groups - in various stages of growth and development. All are part of or linked to CLC worldwide and are part of the wider Ignatian family.