It has been a pleasure for the Communication Team of GC36 to serve the worldwide Society of Jesus, its collaborators and friends, through a number of communication channels during the duration of this Congregation. Our work will remain available on the gc36.org website and through the Office of Communications and Public Relations of the General Curia. We wish that our … [Read more...]
Companions in a mission of reconciliation and justice
The one major decree that will come out of the Congregation will be the result of long conversations, both in small groups and in the aula, under the general theme of “Life and Mission of the Society”. Although the official text will be published by the General Curia only in a few weeks from now, we give you an idea of the summary and of the main themes that are dealt with in … [Read more...]
The concrete fruits of the 36th General Congregation
What decrees will be promulgated after this General Congregation? Which recommendations will be passed on to Father General? First of all, the one major decree that will come out of the Congregation will be the result of long conversations, both in small groups and in the aula, under the general theme of “Life and Mission of the Society”. A separate article tells you about … [Read more...]
GC36 Closing Mass: “They went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working through them.”
[Access the full homily in english here] In St Ignatius Church, a parish run by the Society of Jesus in Rome, Fr General Arturo Sosa celebrated the Mass of Thanksgiving for the closure of the 36th General Congregation. The main concelebrants were Fathers Douglas Marcouiller and Antoine Kerhuel. In his introduction, the General invoked Mary, under the title of Our Lady of the … [Read more...]
Father General’s words at the closing session of GC 36
This moment of mixed feelings brings to mind the text of the Gospel according to Mark (4: 26-29): Jesus also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full … [Read more...]
Fr. General Homily at the GC36 Closure Mass
Homily of Fr. General Arturo Sosa, SJ On the Thanksgiving Mass of General Congregation 36 12th Nov 2016 at the Church of Saint Ignatius, Rome At the end of a powerful experience of discernment we feel a sense of vertigo faced before what comes next. We feel the difficulty of giving life to the choice made, to be converted by the way of proceeding that expresses the … [Read more...]
General Congregation 36 closes
Saturday, November 12, 2016. This morning members of General Congregation 36 voted to close the General Congregation. The day began with prayer as usual, but with a new twist for the final day of the Congregation. Fathers Mark Revizza and Pablo Alonso led the Congregation in a contemplative examination of the six weeks of work. Yesterday evening (November 11), the electors took … [Read more...]
End Game
And unexpectedly, it is over. All votes are cast. All documents written. All jobs that were complete-able are complete. We suddenly find ourselves on the last day, with a last Mass this evening and tonight the goodbyes will begin. We only knew it yesterday. It is slightly unreal. I will see some of the Jesuits from the Aula next week in London; some I will never see … [Read more...]
Own the narrative, tell the story: GC36 Communications
This is the mantra that Jesuits involved in media and communications have been using for decades: “Own the narrative. Tell the Story.” It has fed our passion for media work, guided our desire to create content, and pushed against the traditional understanding of what it means to spread the Gospels. That mantra was also the impetus behind a radically different way of reporting a … [Read more...]
GC36 wishes Father General a Happy Birthday
Saturday, November 12, Father General Arturo Sosa celebrates his 68th birthday with members of GC 36 and other Jesuits based in Rome. The timing is perfect because his birthday coincides with a gathering that was already planned for members of GC 36 at the Gregorian University. From the Communication Team we want to take advantage of this celebration to send this post to … [Read more...]
A Strong and Clear Voice
There are some experiences we never forget. Some go deep. We not only remember their key messages but even where we were, and with whom, when we heard them. This past week provided me with one of those moments I hope I won’t forget. I came to breakfast last Wednesday 9th where one of my fellow Jesuits informed me of the results of the US election. Now, I need to admit, I am … [Read more...]
Gratitude – Source of Joy
Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evenings, how you will spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your … [Read more...]
The end in sight?
After several weeks of deliberations, there are indications that the General Congregation might be coming to a close soon. Tomorrow Saturday, November 12, members of GC 36 will be joined by many other Jesuits living in Rome, as well as friends and collaborators of the Society in celebrating the Mass of Thanksgiving at the Church of Saint Ignatius in Rome. The members will then … [Read more...]
Spiritual conversation for decision making
Beyond electing the Superior General, the task of a General Congregation also includes preparing for the direction the Society of Jesus will take in the coming years. How can a diverse group of more than two hundred men reflect together in order to come to consensus? Specific topics need to be considered at various levels. Above all, at the personal level. Private time is … [Read more...]
Communication Final Thanks
It has been a pleasure for the Communication Team of GC36 to serve the worldwide Society of Jesus, its collaborators and friends, through a number of communication channels during the duration of this Congregation. Our work will remain available on the gc36.org website and through the Office of Communications and Public Relations of the General Curia. We wish that our … [Read more...]
Communitas ad dispersionem
“In their own communal apostolic discernment which led to the founding of the Society, Ignatius and his companions saw this as their unique call, their charism: to choose to be with Christ as servants of His mission, to be with people where they dwell and work and struggle, to bring the Gospel into their lives and labours. As pilgrims on Christ’s mission, we are ready to be … [Read more...]
Global Collaboration for Global Challenges: Structures and Networks Beyond Provinces
Collaboration in the Society of Jesus can be understood in different ways. Often we refer to collaboration with others, with companions, with collaborators or—in general—with those with whom we share responsibility in mission. But in other instances we speak of the necessary collaboration as the Society of Jesus between our own organisations and governance structures in order … [Read more...]
Creation of a new Province
At the beginning of the morning session, Thursday, November 10, Father General announced that during the first months of 2017 a new Province will be created: the Province of French Speaking Western Europe (EOF). It will replace the Province of Southern Belgium and Luxemburg and the Province of France. The Provincial will be Fr. François Boëdec, 54. He entered the Society of … [Read more...]
The Never-ending Mystery of the Cross
In the film The Agony and the Ecstasy Pope Julius II (Rex Harrison) repeatedly asks Michelangelo (Charlton Heston), "When will you make an end of it?" to which the constant reply is, "When I am finished." The resident staff here in the communities where we stay, Jesuits back home, even the delegates themselves, are asking, "When will the Congregation end?" And we could well … [Read more...]
Under the same banner – By Paulin Manwelo, SJ
What has touched me the most (in the sense of challenging me) at this 36th General Congregation, as a Jesuit from the Central African Province (ACE)? Firstly, a few words on the Central African Province. It is made up of two countries: Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Jesuits arrived in Angola in 1622 and in the DRC in 1889. ACE is in fact the oldest of … [Read more...]
Ignatian hints for a fruitful Dialogue
From a letter of Ignatius to the Jesuits attending the Council of Trent. He gives instructions to Jesuits, so that interventions in big assembly can be more fruitful: Be slow to speak. Be considerate and kind, especially when it comes to deciding on matters under discussion, or about to be discussed in the council. Be slow to speak, and only after having first listened … [Read more...]
What will come out of all these discussions?
The General Congregation is getting to the end of its work. Over the past few weeks, it had concentrated its efforts on the study of documents prepared and presented by committees or commissions. The delegates have to decide, finally, what will be their recommendations on these topics. They could vote a decree, they can make recommendations or give mandates to Fr. General or … [Read more...]
New Provincial
Father General announced the nomination of one new Provincial. Fr. Ireneo Valdez, 55, Provincial of the Province of Paraguay. He joined the Society of Jesus on February 20, 1988 and was ordained to the priesthood on July 24, 1999. At the moment, he is the Pastor of the Holy Family Parish in Asunción. … [Read more...]
“You are the Curia!” Fr. Sosa meets with the lay staff of the General Curia
On Wednesday, November 2nd, in the aula of the General Congregation, Fr. Arturo Sosa wanted to meet with the lay people who work in the General Curia of the Society of Jesus. They were some fifty members of the staff who work daily, side by side, with the Jesuits in various positions: administrators, information technology professionals, secretaries, cooks, cleaners, gardeners … [Read more...]
Many Faces, One Apostolic Body
In August of 1534, a small group of seven companions gathered in the little chapel of the Crypt of Saint Denis in Montmartre, Paris, to celebrate the Eucharist. There they pronounced their vows, and promised to go to Jerusalem to spend their lives in the service of their Lord. As a result of the prevailing armed conflicts and disruptions in 1537, their desire to … [Read more...]
Co-workers of God
On the day of the feast of the dedication of the Lateran Basilica, the mother of all churches let us contemplate on being co-workers of God‘s grace. A text of Blessed Oscar Romero can help us. He gives a vision of our work in the Church which is not perfect and has not to be perfect, because we are not perfect. But in beeing sober it frees and motivates us to be creative, … [Read more...]
“Underground Jesuits!” by Sylvain Cariou-Charton, SJ
Every weekend is a moment of pause for the General Congregation, with interesting proposals of visiting the city. It is in this context that I had the joy of discovering the crypt that is found under the Church of the Gesù. In these days when we remember the deceased, it is customary to open the crypt to the public for prayer. This Saturday several of us benefited from the … [Read more...]
The Near-East – The experience of its Provincial
There are many regions of the world, which are in quest of peace. However, the Jesuit Near-East Province is perhaps one, which unites a greater number of countries where tensions of diverse sorts weigh down on the life of people. The Provincial of the Near East, Dany Younès, has had the occasion to speak to the delegates about his province and its challenges. He was quite … [Read more...]
Putting Things in Perspective
We in the Congregation look forward to Saturdays, a half day of work, followed by free time in Rome. This last Saturday, despite the threat of rain, 15 of us went to the Gesù, the site of our opening Mass and of the Mass of thanksgiving for the election of the new General. We went for a more ‘touristy’ aim, but I, for one, was not left just as a tourist. A fine Italian … [Read more...]
Shalom
Father Ignatius to the townspeople of Azpeitia about real peace (1540): Let me repeat that there is no desisting in my earlier desires that you continue to enjoy in this life peace and quiet of heart in the true peace of our Lord, not in the peace of the world. In the world there are many princes, great men and little men, who make truces and treaties in their external lives … [Read more...]
New Regional Superior and New Provincials
On Monday morning, November 7, Father General has announced the nomination of one Regional Superior and and four new Provincials. Here is the list. Fr. Boguslaw Steczek, 71 years old, Regional Superior of the Russian Region. He joined the Society of Jesus on July 30, 1963 and was ordained on June 21, 1972. At the moment, he is Director of the Archive and collaborator at … [Read more...]
The Communication Team
This website and all the communication dynamics around the General Congregation have been design and implemented by an international team that was assemble during the first months of 2016 and finally got together in Rome at the beginning of October. The Communication office of the General Curia hosted an interesting team of professionals in order to cover the events and … [Read more...]
Linking Life and Mission – Interview with Fr. Rafael Velasco, SJ
It is common knowledge, since the preparatory phase, that there are two significant topics under consideration for this Congregation: the revision of governance structures for a universal mission and a reflection on the renewal of life and mission. This Congregation does not speak of identity and mission, a familiar and classic theme. Rather, it speaks of life and … [Read more...]
The Birth and Life of a Decree
Without revealing a secret, we can feel that the present General Congregation will not proclaim a large number of decrees. There will at least a few! Every decree has its own genesis. It begins with a need or a question experienced by many Jesuits. In December 2014, the Congregation was convoked and the process of preparation began. Provincial Congregations produced many … [Read more...]
A Distraction
I have an armed guard outside my bedroom. Two soldiers and an armoured car. At first I thought that it might be to protect the Brexit Provincial from the hordes of angry Roman Pro-Europeans, but I was assured that this was not the case and this strategy was part of a generally heightened security around Italy following the terrorist attacks in France and Germany. For the … [Read more...]
Holy Spirit – Consolator optime
Ignatius about spiritual consolation: „By this kind of consolation I mean that which occurs when some interior motion is caused within the soul through which it comes to be inflamed with love of its Creator and Lord. As a result it can love no created thing on the face of the earth in itself, but only in the Creator of them all. Similarly, this consolation is experienced … [Read more...]
The Secretary of the Society and four Assistants ad Providentiam
Here is a more detailed presentation of the four Assistants ad Providentiam who were elected on Friday, November 4, 2016. The four are among the General Counsellors that Father General appointed to his council last week. Four Assistants ad providentiam Fr. Vernon D'Cunha comes from the Province of Bombay (BOM). He was born in Mumbai, India, in 1956. He entered the … [Read more...]
New Provincials for South Asia
This morning, November 5, the announcement of three new Provincials were made by Father General. They all belong to Provinces of the South Asia Conference. Fr. Sebastian Jeerakassery, 46, Provincial of Delhi Province. He joined the Society of Jesus on July 1st, 1989 and was ordained to the priesthood on November 7, 2004. At the present time, he is Superior of St. Xavier’s … [Read more...]
“Critical Friends”
I was introduced to the notion of ‘critical friends’ when working at the University. A group of my peers were looking for people who could speak honestly to us, encouraging our strengths while not ignoring our weaknesses. We wanted people we could trust to critique our work, remind us of what we didn’t see or weren’t even aware of. We wanted to have friends who could speak … [Read more...]
Election of the Assistants Ad Providentiam and Appointment of the Secretary of the Society
In accordance with the Formula of the Congregation General, today, on 04 November 2016, the Congregation elected the following as Assistentes ad Providentiam: Fr. Fratern Masawe (AOR) Fr. Vernon D’Cunha (BOM) Fr. Douglas Marcouiller (UCS) Fr. John Dardis (HIB) Likewise, the Congregation has elected Fr. Douglas W. Marcouiller as Admonitor to the Superior … [Read more...]
Saints – Formed by the Grace of God
„There are very few people who realize what God would make of them if they abandoned themselves entirely to His hands, and let themselves be formed by His Grace. A thick and shapeless tree trunk would never believe that it could become a statue, admired as a miracle of sculpture ... and would never consent to submit itself to the chisel of the sculptor who, as St. Augustine … [Read more...]
Fr. Kinley Tshering, SJ – A Christian in Bhutan
The first Europeans to step into Bhutan were two Portuguese Jesuits in 1627 on their way to Tibet. It was after several centuries later when a Canadian Jesuit from the Darjeeling Province was invited to help with the nascent educational system in Bhutan in 1963. The Jesuits started two schools and the first College in Bhutan. In 1986 all missionaries were asked to leave the … [Read more...]
Three New Provincials
Father General continues to make the nominations of new Provincials. This Friday, November 4, he has nominated: Fr. Erik Oland, 58, Provincial of the Province of French Canada (that includes Haiti). He joined the Society of Jesus on August 20, 1994 and was ordained on May 16, 2003. Erik Oland is a member of the Province of English Canada; since 2008, he has been the Master … [Read more...]
Between The Sowing And The Reaping (Based on Eccles 3: 2-11)
"There's a time for sowing and a time for reaping", so says the preacher. But between the sowing and the reaping there's a time for gestation, for the seed to sprout, for the shoot to grow, for the plant to bear fruit. So where in this metaphor does a General Congregation fit? We have, over this last month, been listening to experiences of fellow Jesuits from around the … [Read more...]
From Caracas to Rome: The Story of Arturo Sosa
Two days after his election, the communications team of General Congregation 36 sat down with Father General Arturo Sosa to discuss his life and thought. The conversation introduces the new Superior General in a way that is more personal, to Jesuits and the wider Ignatian family around the world. Here you can download the interview in different languages: Spanish - English - … [Read more...]
Naming of Provincials Continues
At the beginning of the morning session, this Thursday, November 3rd, Father General announced the nomination of two Provincials : P. Rafael Garrido, provincial of Venezuela (VEN). Father Garrido, 44, entered the Society on 27 September 1992 and was ordained on 28 July 2007. At present he is Director of the "Huellas" youth movement. P. Gustavo Calderón, provincial of … [Read more...]
On the Care for Our Elderly Jesuits – Interview with Fr. Cipriano Díaz, SJ
Before the start of our meeting in Rome we called attention to the demographic changes, which are present at this General Congregation, emphasizing in particular the growth of members coming from the provinces of the global south. This growth, that primarily reflects the higher volume of vocations in Asia and Africa in recent years, has another interesting read, mainly the … [Read more...]
“Giving Birth” at GC 36
It is still three weeks before the Church begins the Season of Advent. I may not always have the patience and the grace of the Biblical Job, but I love the Advent Season. It is a period of waiting, of expecting, of longing, of hoping, of desiring! St. Ignatius was big on desires. He enjoined Jesuits, and everyone else, to be people of desires, big and great desires (though not … [Read more...]
Boldness – A Fruit of Deep Trust in the Will of God
Today we celebrate Blessed Rupert Mayer, a German Jesuit who lived and worked mainly in Munich. In his town he was well known as helper of the poor, as a brave preacher against the Regime of the Nazis and as a defender of the freedom of the Church. For this he was arrested and imprisoned by the Gestapo, and then sent to a concentration camp. Later he was transferred to a … [Read more...]
Tomorrow – Don’t miss it: From Caracas to Rome – The Story of Arturo Sosa
The day after his election, the GC36 Media Team sat down for an extensive interview with Father General Arturo Sosa. The latter received the thirty questions in the late afternoon; the interview took place on Sunday afternoon, 16 October. The aim of the interview was to give Father General an opportunity to present and share some insights of what he had in mind when he was … [Read more...]
“The work of reconciliation: To Accompany the victims towards a greater human community”- Interview with Francisco de Roux, SJ
"Reconciliation is the call most referred to in reports received from all parts of the universal Society”, revealed Father General Arturo Sosa during his first press conference on October 18, 2016. He was responding to a question regarding the challenges Jesuits face today, but his response came from the very DNA of the Society of Jesus: this mission to “reconcile the … [Read more...]
New Provincials
At the beginning of the morning session, this Tuesday, November 2nd, Father General announced the nomination of two Provincials : · Fr. Chukwuyenum A. Afiawari, Provincial of Africa North West Province (ANW). Father Afiawari, 52, entered the Society on 7 September 1987 and was ordained on 22 July 2000. At present he is Rector at Arrupe College, Harare, … [Read more...]
Not your usual way of proceeding!
Imagine you wanted to come to a decision about a matter of great importance for you and those close to you, something that would shape your future. How would you go about it? Usually we try to lay out the options, maximize possible goods and minimize harms, etc. As someone who worked in university ministry for many years, I know that path only too well. It can in fact work … [Read more...]
Crimson Tide
The late Tony Scott, was a movie director who was somewhat overshadowed by his more acclaimed Oscar-winning film-maker brother, Ridley Scott; but the corpus of Tony’s movie work, if more populist, is not slight. “Top Gun”, with Tom Cruise, was Scott’s breakthrough movie; and others ( e.g. ‘Enemy of the State’ and ‘Déjà Vu’) are certainly worth an evening of popcorn and … [Read more...]
All Souls Day
The encounter with Christ is the decisive act of judgement. Before his gaze all falsehood melts away. This encounter with him, as it burns us, transforms and frees us, allowing us to become truly ourselves. All that we build during our lives can prove to be mere straw, pure bluster, and it collapses. Yet in the pain of this encounter, when the impurity and sickness of our lives … [Read more...]
Never been done before: the novelties of # GC36
The 36th General Congregation will be remembered for some novel ideas. First, as requested by General Congregation 35, a revised Formula of the General Congregation was adopted. Until now, the congregation formally began with the plenary session, when all the delegates came together in the Aula. With the revised formula, the congregation officially begun a year earlier, when … [Read more...]
Sant’ Egidio: “Prayer – Service to the Poor – Peace” by Martin Lenk, SJ
Trastevere is well known as a charming quarter of Rome, situated on the opposite side of the River Tiber, with numerous squares and restaurants, and full of crowded alleys with visitors from all over the world. Last Saturday evening we went to what could definitely be the heart of this quarter, Santa Maria in Trastevere, a church which dates back to the 4th Century. The … [Read more...]
Holiness – A Way of Incarnation
In the early church “All Saints“ was celebrated on the first Sunday after Pentecost. So “All Saints“ was understood as an Epiphany of Pentecost. The Saints are fruits of the Holy Spirit, of his work of incarnation which is described by Teilhard de Chardin. This can be seen as an introduction into the meditation of the Beatitudes: “You can only convert that which you love: if a … [Read more...]
General Council begins to shape
On Monday, October 31, Father General Arturo Sosa announced the appointment of members of the General Council. He also announced that, as established by the Formula, the General Congregation would begin a four-day preparatory process for the election of the Assistants ad Providentiam on November 4. The members of the General Council that Father Sosa announced include … [Read more...]
Father Arturo Sosa visits the Gregorian University with GC 36 delegates
On Friday, October 28, members of GC 36 visited the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, and met with the Jesuits engaged in the consortium of universities, which include the Gregorian, the Pontifical Oriental Institute, and the Pontifical Biblical Institute. Saint Ignatius de Loyola laid the foundations of the Gregorian University when he established, in 1551, a “school … [Read more...]
“A Morning with the Pope” by John McCarthy, SJ
In my neck of the woods, we don’t see many Popes. Thus, it was with a child-like excitement that I joined my brother Jesuits from across the globe to await the arrival of Pope Francis and his address to the 36th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus. What would he say to us? Would he ask something special of us? Some of us may have been looking for a peg upon which to … [Read more...]
Trying Something New
We start each day of the GC in prayer. I believe many of us find this a uniting and consoling experience. It is well prepared and settles us for the day and tasks ahead. We have also learned to hear, and even sing, in languages foreign to most of us, such as Swahili, Guarani, Bahasa Indonesia and Hindi, but we try and it works. As Jesuits, we do not seek to pray the Divine … [Read more...]
Discerning with young people on our common journey – by Nicolas Standaert, SJ
The third part of Pope’s Francis address focused on “Doing good led by the good spirit, thinking with the Church” and contains a special attention to “discernment”. Discernment is a path by which one tries to discover how the Spirit is working, how God is acting, how Love becomes incarnate in our life and in the world. By this process a person or a group subtly discerns the … [Read more...]
Sing! Rejoice! Celebrate!
Each morning the tone of the day of work is set by prayer in common of the members of the Congregation. It is not only the delegates who appreciate it. It has been remarked that the video recording of this time of prayer is among the most highly regarded. Yes, as they had hoped and requested, the Jesuits gathered in congregation are sustained by the prayers of thousands of … [Read more...]
Walking With A Heart That Does Not Rest
We are now at the business end of the Congregation. As the highest legislative body of the Society of Jesus, there are matters to be considered, some of which will take the form of law. Other matters, like renewing our understanding of our Jesuit identity, our life and mission, for our present times, could take the form of a more inspirational text. But getting 215 Jesuits … [Read more...]
Jesuits – Servants of Joy
Pope Francis said to us at the beginning of this week: “The Jesuit is a servant of the joy of the Gospel.” and “The Good News ought not to be given with a sad face, but rather, with joy!” Furthermore he said: “Joy is not only decorative, it is also a clear indicator of grace, it shows that love is active, working and present.” But how do we find this deep Joy? Pope Francis … [Read more...]
“…allow us to feel compassion for the excluded from history…” by Francisco Iznardo, SJ
Pope Francis visited us during the morning of October 24th. We received him with hope, joy and concern. We wanted to know how his words would reverberate in our hearts. His talk came first, then the questions, and finally a personal greeting from each one of us. At the end of the morning the Pope’s visit had aroused in me this sentiment: “…with the poor of the earth I want to … [Read more...]
Life Goes On for Father Lombardi
As one of the Assistants ad providentiam, Father Federico Lombardi is the one who thanked Fr. Adolfo Nicolás, in the Congregation and in the name of the whole Society of Jesus, for having directed the Society in the course of the last eight years. Our bulletin reported last Tuesday on this important moment of the Congregation. But Fr. Lombardi is a well-known man who is … [Read more...]
One step at a time
Slowly, but surely and confidently, the tortoise eventually arrives at its destination! In the dizzyingly fast pace of life, there is some wisdom in occasionally taking a pause, stepping back a little, taking stock, resetting one’s compass and refreshing oneself, before again putting one foot after the other. When a seed is planted, patience is needed to allow the needed time … [Read more...]
Where are we?
“I now decree the convocation of the 36th General Congregation, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” With these words, on December 8, 2014, Father Adolfo Nicolás convoked the 36th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus, and set October 3, 2016 as the opening date. As required by the Formula of a General Congregation, the preparatory phase was … [Read more...]
“To ask insistently for consolation” by Sunu Hardiyanta, SJ
Pope Francis’ exhortation to the members of GC 36 encouraging us ‘to ask insistently for consolation’ stirred and confirmed me. This bring me back to a graceful moment when I found that ‘God is never pretending to me’. He always gives me ‘His Cross’, He also always gives me ‘His Resurrection’. I had had many experiences of the Cross in my close family: when my younger sister … [Read more...]
For Vocations
Pedro Arrupe said to a young man who wished to join the Society of Jesus: Stay at home if the idea of becoming a jesuit makes you unsettled or nervous. Do not come to us if you love the Church like a stepmother rather than a mother. Do not come if you think that in so doing you will be doing the Society of Jesus a favour. Come if serving Christ is at the very centre of your … [Read more...]
The ‘Francis effects’
Well, the ‘Francis effect’ continues in the Aula as elsewhere. So many people speak of the Holy Father’s address as something we will mine for years, long after this Congregation ends. In one conversation after another, people have spoken of how his words and his presence moved them to prayer. I certainly know that too. Yet, now back to business, dealing with a variety of … [Read more...]
“Pope Francis among His Own” by Paulin Manwelo, SJ
All the Delegates at the 36th General Congregation were awaiting, with beating hearts, the day of October 24: the visit of a Pope with his confreres, reunited in a General Congregation at the Curia, at a stone’s throw from the Vatican. This Monday, at 9:05 AM, Pope Francis makes his entrance in the Aula where the works of the General Congregation are held. He does so without … [Read more...]
“A historic event: Francis at the General Congregation” by Antonio Spadaro, SJ
The petrine ministry of a Jesuit: a positive challenge for the Society The Pope entered naturally like a Jesuit father among others. But his white cassock marked a visible difference. But it did not take away the perception that there is a deep bond between us and him. We began by praying. A historic event: this was the encounter of General Congregation of the Jesuits … [Read more...]
For our Superiors
El sentido comunitario ha sido esencial en la Compañía desde el mismo momento de su nacimiento. El grupo inicial de Ignacio y de sus “amigos” en el Señor se amplió de inmediato con otros que quisieron seguir el camino que ellos habían tomado. Pidamos para nosotros, sus sucesores en la llamada de Dios, el sentido verdadero y la estima profunda de la vida comunitaria en … [Read more...]
The Borge Dilemma
After a concert at Carnegie Hall, the wonderful comic pianist, Victor Borge, had an unexpected visitor to his dressing room: a Secret Service agent for the US Vice President, who had been in the audience that night. The Secret Service man said: “The Vice President will be with you in 30 seconds, and you can ask him anything you like.” This caught Borge off-guard… ask … [Read more...]
Were not our hearts burning…?
Pope Francis walked into the Hall of the General Congregation on 24 October 2016. His was a presence so serene as he took part in our morning prayer and gave us his blessing. The way forward for us, he told us, is through fidelity to our original charism which is both ecclesial and social. The charism of St Ignatius Loyola is deeply ecclesial. He came to Rome with his first … [Read more...]
Prayers and support for the new General of the Jesuits
The subscribers to our newsletter, those who visit our website or are followers of GC36 on the social media will remember the solidarity in prayer that was created during the days before the days of the election of Fr. Arturo Sosa as Superior General of the Society of Jesus. The prayer “wave” did not stop with the publication of the result of the election. In fact, the … [Read more...]
Community life
A group of students intending to enter the Society had formed a community in Louvain. Ignatius wrote them a letter in 1547. In his letter we read about community life: „You have laid upon yourselves a heavy obligation to live holy and pious lives: having separated yourselves from others in your residence and way of life, you will be under everyone’s observation and on … [Read more...]
Walking Together
I find I am easily moved when I listen to Ennio Morricone’s soundtrack to the 1986 film The Mission. This is probably because the film and its music capture a particular Jesuit and Indigenous context of joy and suffering I can identify with. How much more was I moved yesterday when I found myself listening to a fellow Jesuit and violinist begin our morning prayer with this … [Read more...]
A Southerly Wind
At this time of the year in Rome they talk of the Sirocco, the warm southerly winds that originate in the Sahara Desert and blow across the Mediterranean. These interchange quite freely with the cold winds from the north coming over the Alps and the Apennines. So one day is warm and sunny with clear skies and the next is cloudy, wet and cold. Every morning, before I leave the … [Read more...]
Make me a channel of your peace
Saint Mother Teresa had all her life a deep relationship to ignatian Spirituality. As a Business Card she liked to distribute the following words, which can be seen as an unfolding of the contemplativus in actione: The fruit of silence is prayer. The fruit of prayer is faith. The fruit of faith is love. The fruit of love is service. The fruit of service is peace. Saint … [Read more...]
Discourse of the Holy Father Francis to the members of GC36
In the Aula of the General Congregation – General Curia of the Society of Jesus October 24th, 2016. Dear Brothers and Friends in the Lord: While praying and thinking about what I would say to you, I remembered with particular affection the final words of Blessed Paul VI to us as he was setting out the purpose of the 32nd General Congregation: “This is the way; this is the … [Read more...]
Pope Francis’ Visit to the Congregation
There is a well-established tradition that on the occasion of a Jesuit General Congregation, the Holy Father meets with the delegates. Since most of the time this happens as an audience in the rooms of the Vatican, it is not the first time that the pope himself choose to meet the Jesuits as they are gathered in the General Congregation in the curia of the Society. So this … [Read more...]
The Good Shepherd
Franz van de Lugt SJ, a member of the Near East Province, lived and worked in Syria, mainly in Homs as spiritual guide especially for the youth. He was killed on the 7th of April 2014, aged 76. In him we have the image of a Good Shepherd: his hope in the resurrection strengthened him in his ministry. In March 2014 he wrote: “Just as I have shared with the Syrian people their … [Read more...]
Interpreters and translators
Even though Pentecost already took place and the Gospel message has been heard all over the world in many languages, an international gathering like a General Congregation does need the support of translation services. Before the Congregation, all the delegates were told that there would be three official languages used in the aula in during the main events of the Congregation: … [Read more...]
The Eyes and Ears of the Heart
At our Jesuit School of Theology—Hekima University College—in Nairobi, Kenya, there are a series of unique paintings of the Way/Stations of the Cross in the chapel. Of the various people portrayed, only the eyes of one person—those of Jesus—are open. All others are closed! I have often wondered what the artist, poet and theologian from Cameroun, Fr. Engelbert MVENG, SJ, wanted … [Read more...]
Magnificat
When God is in the midst of people, relationships are full of life. We see this in the encounter between Elizabeth and Mary: there is so much joy, appreciation, sharing, understanding, movement, life, freedom, peace and uplifting of the soul to praise God. There is no room for envy, jealousy, hate, violence, numbness, narrowness... We find the same dynamic of uplifting the … [Read more...]
“Faces from the Frontiers” – by John Dardis, SJ
When you look around the aula at the General Congregation or share meals with people, it all seems quite ordinary. At first. You see a group of Jesuits – priests and brothers, smiling, joking, eating, having serious conversations, praying. Their dress is ordinary – in fact some could do with a new shirt or two! - with a wide assortment of styles and no uniformity except for … [Read more...]
A “group outing” to the beauty, history and Christian adventure
Almost all the delegates to the General Congregation and many members of the supporting teams left the General Curia to travel to the Vatican Museums, a twenty minute walk. Father Adolfo Nicolás was among them for his last night in Rome before leaving for a new mission of his Jesuit life. For two and a half hours, the delegates enjoyed a visit organized especially for them, … [Read more...]
Oh for a window!
No doubt you’ve all seen pictures of the Aula, the hall in which we meet daily. Those responsible for remodeling the space did a wonderful job; it is a great place to meet. As we pray in the morning, that ‘choir style’, facing each other encourages the prayer. Wonderful as it is, however, someone brought a simple fact to our attention today, a simple point with a much more … [Read more...]
Who helps the General to govern?
Since the General Congregation in the coming days will have the task of identifying the people who will form the government of the Society, in these early days of the "ad negotia" phase, thought is focused on the structure of the central government of the Society. Several presentations have been offered to the delegates to allow them to reflect on the current structure of the … [Read more...]
Father Sosa as Delegate for the Roman Houses
Fr. David Nazar is a Canadian Jesuit, former Provincial in English Canada, who spent several years as Superior of the Jesuits in Ukraine. A little more than a year ago, he was asked to come to Rome as Rector of the Pontifical Oriental Institute, a work of the Holy See entrusted to the Society of Jesus. The context he came into involved some tensions. He had the opportunity to … [Read more...]
Moonraker
Over the last year, I have been reading and enjoying the James Bond novels. It is good to get beyond the famous movie franchise and see Bond and the narratives as they were originally portrayed by the author, Ian Fleming. Fleming’s prose is wonderfully visual and crisp. As the story-line in the novels develops, Bond matures: the tightly-coiled 007 of Casino Royale is simple, … [Read more...]
Miserando atque Eligendo
GC32 states: "What is it to be a Jesuit? It is to know that one is a sinner, yet called to be a companion of Jesus." D 2,1 These words are echoed in the answer Pope Francis gave to the question „Who is Jorge Mario Bergolio: "The best summary, the one that comes more from the inside and I feel most true is this: I am a sinner whom the Lord has looked upon.” And the Pope … [Read more...]
Arrupe’s Heritage
After his resignation was accepted Fr. Arrupe gave a final message to the Society. Let us listen to those concluding words, expressed by Fr. Pedro before he entered into the silence of his personal surrender to God. "To each one of you in particular I would love to say – tantas cosas: so much, really. From our young people I ask that they live in the presence of God and grow … [Read more...]
« A man used to work in complex situations »
After an intense weekend, the work of the Congregation continues, but we are still working on bringing different testimonies of those who know our new Father General. Since last Friday, when he was elected, we have had many conversations with companions, friends, and different people around the Curia and around the world, that are helping us to have a better sense of who is P. … [Read more...]
A Legal Expert in the Service of the Society…and of the Congregation
An Encounter with Benoit Malvaux, Procurator General of the Society of Jesus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AHlf-A3qv0&t=9s Laws and regulations govern an international organization like the Society of Jesus. As a Catholic religious order, the Society has its own legal rules. Additionally, the Society must also follow the rules of the Catholic Church, that is, Canon Law. … [Read more...]
“For me, who is Arturo Sosa?” by Arturo Peraza, SJ, Provincial of Venezuela
Today I can say that for four days many companions have asked me in many different ways the question of who is Arturo Sosa? Never have I had to talk about a person so many times, and, especially, in English. It was the repetition of a personal history, that the more it was repeated, brought to mind new memories; and at the same time a serene interior conviction that this was … [Read more...]
On the richness of this diversity
This week we have beens reviewing our Jesuit governance, before moving to elect Fr General’s four Assistants ad providentiam which would then lead to his appointment of the members of the General Council. GC35 emphasised that our Jesuit form of governance was at the service of universal mission: ‘As governance in the Society is always measured in an appropriate balance of … [Read more...]
Ite, inflammate omnia
Legend has it that Saint Ignatius, when he sent Saint Francis Xavier to the East, told him: “go, set the world alight”. With the birth of the Society of Jesus, a new fire was lit in a changing world. A novel form of religious life came about, not through human enterprise but as a divine initiative. The fire that was set alight then continues to burn in our Jesuit life today, … [Read more...]
A First Encounter with the Press
Just a few days after his election, Father General Arturo Sosa met with some 70 journalists in the aula of the General Congregation, his baptism to this kind of event as Superior General of the Society of Jesus. He was introduced by Fr. Federico Lombardi who mentioned that the new General had been part of the 33rd General Congregation in 1983 as the youngest delegate. Fr. … [Read more...]
The Congregation continues after the election…
For the first two weeks of October, the attention, not only of the Jesuits but also of many people, was centred on the election of the new Superior General of the Jesuits. Now that Father Arturo Sosa has been elected, what will the Jesuits gathered for the General Congregation do for the next several weeks together at the General Curia? On Monday morning, October 17, the … [Read more...]
I Am A Jesuit, I Know Where My Heart Is …
We are back, after the weekend off. We now have a new Superior General, and we now are faced with the task of choosing a team of Assistants and Consultors to Assist him in the task of governing the Society of Jesus. But before we got into the business of naming the men, we decided to take a look at the possible need of revamping some of our governance structures. Governance … [Read more...]
An instrument of the Lord
The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ joy is constantly born anew. I dream of a “missionary option”, that is, a missionary impulse capable of transforming everything, so that the Church’s customs, ways of doing things, … [Read more...]
In the rooms of St. Ignatius
On Saturday morning, before the first Eucharist presided over by the new Superior General of the Jesuits, Fr. Arturo Sosa, a short and discrete ceremony took place at the Gesù, in the chapel of the rooms of St. Ignatius, the Camerette. The New Superior General was accompanied by a member of the General Council, Fr. Joaquín Barrero, by the archivist of the Society, Fr. Brian Mac … [Read more...]
First Homily of Fr. General
Entire text of the homily of Fr. Arturo Sosa, SJ, on the occasion of celebrating and giving thanks for his election as Superior General of the Society of Jesus. Roma, Chiesa del Gesù, 15/10/2016 Dearest Brothers, A few days ago, in this very Church of the Gesù, where the remains of St. Ignatius and Pedro Arrupe are laid to rest, Fr. Bruno Cadorè invited us to have the … [Read more...]
Gathered around St. Ignatius to give thanks
Fr. Arturo Sosa is one day old today as the 31st Superior General of the Society of Jesus! At 11:25am yesterday, 14 October, he was declared elected. Pope Francis was immediately informed. At 11:35am the Vicar General proclaimed the “Decree of Election.” At 11:40am, the new General made his profession of faith. And so begins a new mission, a new life, for this man who turns 68 … [Read more...]
Imprint our hearts with your name
Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Ignatius, bishop of Antioch. Traditional iconography depicts him holding a heart, which is inscribed with the golden letters “IHS.” Iñigo got to know the martyr bishop during his convalescence in Loyola while reading the lives of the Saints. One legend about this bishop that Iñigo was bound to have come across would have been when … [Read more...]
Mass of thanksgiving presided by the new General
The afternoon of Friday, October 14, after the election, the congregation members were able to take a well deserved break. They met this morning at the Gesù Church for the second time in two weeks. They had the joy to be around their new Superior General, Father Arturo Sosa, who therefore had the opportunity, in his homily, to offer for the first time a spiritual message … [Read more...]
‘Orphans no more…’
Election day – finally! The overcast weather did not lessen the our enthusiasm. Mass was scheduled for 7:30 at the Church of the Holy Spirit, across the street from our Curia. By the time I arrived at 7:10, however, many Jesuits had already taken their places, quietly praying about the events ahead. No one took this lightly. The Mass of the Holy Spirit, like the opening … [Read more...]
Father Arturo Sosa SJ, 31st General of the Society of Jesus
The 36th General Congregation has elected Father Arturo Sosa Abascal, of the Jesuit Province of Venezuela as Superior General. Father Sosa was born in Caracas, Venezuela on 12 November 1948. Until his election, Father Sosa has been Delegate for Interprovincial Houses of the Society in Rome, as well as serving on the General Council as a Counsellor. He obtained a licentiate in … [Read more...]
“A journey from fear to joy, from a gift received to the mission”
During the “Mass of the Holy Spirit” concelebrated this Friday morning by all the electors, Fr. James Grummer, the Vicar General of the Society of Jesus, presided over the Eucharist and preached the homily. He highlighted the fact that St. Ignatius himself did not write much about the Holy Spirit, but in the Spiritual Exercises, he does make reference to the text that served as … [Read more...]
To an Unknown Soldier
Dear Brother in Christ, I do not know who you are. I write this on Thursday and you will be elected as Father General on Friday. Whether you are old or young, or whether I know you well, or whether we have only exchanged a smile and a few words in these last days, I will speak. Firstly, the days of murmuratio will have been gruelling for your soul: as the hours have … [Read more...]
The Mass of the Holy Spirit or “The Holy Eucharist in view of the election”
The day of the election of the future General, the electors gather to celebrate the Eucharist; they invoke the Holy Spirit once again that he inspire them at the moment of the vote which will commence immediately after the celebration. This year, the Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit will be presided over by Fr. James Grummer, who until the election of the new superior general, … [Read more...]
Prayer of the Faithful – Mass of the Holy Spirit
Let us lift up our common prayer to the Father so that the Holy Spirit may guide and enlighten the minds and the hearts of those entrusted to his work of sanctification. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia That through the Spirit of fortitude and of wisdom, you give to all the baptized the courage to proclaim that “Jesus is the Lord”, so that the message of salvation bears fruit … [Read more...]
A special ballot for the election of the General
In the course of their labors, the members of a General Congregation have many occasions to cast votes. At times, there is need of electing someone. However, most votes are about propositions on texts, which if adopted, become part of the norms to guide the Society of Jesus in the years ahead. For the first time, a large part of the votes is happening digitally using the … [Read more...]
One from amongst us to lead
For those of us attending our first General Congregation an important step was learning and appreciating the way of murmuratio. We wanted to know how to do it and do it well. I brought with me an understanding of murmuring, mostly memories from childhood and school, where murmuring avoided open and plain speaking and could be seen as rude or subversive. What makes our Jesuit … [Read more...]
What type of man are the electors looking for?
In an earlier article, we spoke about how Saint Ignatius himself envisioned his successors. The electors of GC36 are currently engaged in the murmuratio, the time honoured process that leads to the election of the Superior General. Nicholas Austin, a British Jesuit, recently wrote an article on the relevancy, today, of the manner Ignatius describes the qualities of a Superior … [Read more...]
As in the middle of a balance
“It is necessary to keep as my objective the end for which I am created, to praise God our Lord and save my soul. Furthermore, I ought to find myself indifferent, that is, without any disordered affection, to such an extent that I am not more inclined or emotionally disposed toward taking the matter proposed rather than relinquishing it, nor more toward relinquishing it rather … [Read more...]
Asia-Pacific: Looking for leadership in these demanding times – Interview with Karel San Juan, SJ
We continue to meet with delegates from different parts of the world, emphasizing the universality of the Society of Jesus. Today, we take our microphone to Karel San Juan, a Jesuit priest from the Philippine Province, member of the Jesuit Conference of Asia-Pacific. Father Karel is involved in educational work in one of the most challenging areas of the Philippines, the city … [Read more...]
One on One, The Three Of Us Together
By now you've probably read a lot about the process of "murmuratio", that we Jesuits go through in preparation for the election of a new General Superior. Much of what you've read till now I'm sure will have inspired you, even filled you with a sense of awe at the working of the Spirit. So what I'm about to write is going to be a little different. I don't deny, not for even … [Read more...]
Friday, October 14: Election of the New General
Friday, October 14: Election of the New General The Election will take place after the Delegates concelebrate the Eucharist at 7:30 AM in the Church of the Holy Spirit in Rome. Please keep the Electors in your thoughts and prayers as the entire Society entrusts the Election process to God. … [Read more...]
A Body united through Prayer
For the Jesuits worldwide, the General Congregation is a marvelous opportunity to invite our friends, collaborators and families to experience their belonging to an apostolic body for mission. For this reason, a number of our initiatives are geared towards our friends, our collaborators and the broad Ignatian family all around the world. Prayer is a good path for such an … [Read more...]
Drawing on the Audacity of the «Unexpected»
May the Lord grant you the grace, throughout your reflections and discernment, to be guided, to be brought to life, in this audacity to make explicit through your commitments, your words, your solidarity, the always unexpected voice of the One who hopes in the world, who overcomes death and establishes life, the One to whom you seek to give the greatest glory. (...) It is … [Read more...]
Join in with the Prayer of the Electors
We are now at the heart of the murmuratio. What may have struck you about these four days is the way in which the electors meet other, two by two, without a list of candidates for the office of Father General. But what is uppermost in the hearts of the members of the Congregation is the atmosphere of prayer that pervades these days. Beginning yesterday morning (October 10), … [Read more...]
“In Africa, we’ve got youth, we’ve got enthusiasm!” – Interview with Michael Lewis, SJ
In our series of conversations with members of the General Congregation from all over the world, we met with the President of the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar, Fr. Michael Lewis. He is South African but he is stationed in Nairobi, Kenya, where the Conference has its offices. Here are the highlights of our encounter. On preparations for GC for the … [Read more...]
A leap of faith
There is a certain level of uneasiness in not knowing in advance the final outcome of a process. In general we are more comfortable with having a high degree and guarantee of success before making an investment. But not so in a spiritual process such as the murmuratio! This is a four day period of more intense and indepth search, one-to-one conversation, prayerful reflection … [Read more...]
Infuse your breath in me, O Holy Spirit
God, gather and turn my thoughts to you. With you there is light, you do not forget me. With you there is help and patience. I do not understand your ways, but you know the way for me. Dietrich Bonhoeffer In regard to the qualities which are desirable in the superior general, the first is that he should be closely united with God our Lord and intimate with Him in prayer and … [Read more...]
Silence – Adoration
Come, You Spirit of Quiet. Guide me into your Stillness that I might hear in myself the Word you speak. Free me from all Fear hat all which binds me leaves me and leaves me to who I am. Open as a vast chalice I want Your wonders, Your fullness, Your holy presence gently to seize me. Come You Spirit of Breath, breathe your breath into my thoughts, into my feelings. Come and … [Read more...]
The experience of the murmuratio
Perhaps you have already read this in one or other of the articles describing the stages of a General Congregation: an element peculiar to the “way of acting” of Jesuits in the election of their general superior is that of the murmuratio. In the Constitutions St. Ignatius insisted forcefully that the election of the General take place in an atmosphere of prayer and … [Read more...]
Special meals for a special occasion
In the preceding article, we have already explained this stage quite typical of a General Congregation of Jesuits come together for the election of a Father General, a stage that is called the murmuratio. Here we wish simply to call attention to a lighter aspect, an aspect connected to logistics, made necessary by the particular context of the stage. The delegates of the … [Read more...]
Changing gears….
After a thunderous liturgy at St. Peter’s Basilica Friday, Congregation has moved into a different mode. The novelty of being together is wearing off; the Aula and the rhythm of meetings are familiar. We are getting to know one another. That is true at one level, but there is something deeper too. We are moving from discussions about the state of the Society and the … [Read more...]
Today’s struggles seen from the perspective of the Trinity – Interview with John Dardis, SJ
Over the coming days, the GC36 Media Team will share with you stories of Jesuits from different parts of the world. Today we caught up with Fr. John Dardis, a Jesuit from Ireland who is also President of the Conference of European Provincials. He shared his reflections on the contribution the European experience could bring to the General Congregation, starting with what was … [Read more...]
The Jesuit “Bed & Breakfast” in Rome
All the members of General Congregation 36 and the support staff are hosted in the various communities of the Jesuit institutions in Rome. A similar arrangement was done for General Congregation 35. A total of 246 persons are directly involved with the GC, either as electors or as support staff. They are distributed in the following way: 91 at the Curia Generalizia, 50 at the … [Read more...]
Schola Invictus
Federico Fellini, the great Italian film director, would have loved the cinematic possibilities for the opening of Day 5. We were off to Mass in the Vatican. All of the delegates gathered on the steps of the Jesuit Curia at 7am. For some, like myself, who live in the Curia, that was a relatively straight-forward task; but for those hardy types lodging in the Russicum and the … [Read more...]
Fr. Orlando Torres SJ, Secretary of the Congregation
Today, October 7th, the electors voted for three major officials of the General Congregation. Father Luis Orlando Torres, a Jesuit from Puerto Rico and a member of the USA Central and Southern Province (UCS) was elected Secretary of the Congregation. At present he is the rector of the Jesuit Community of Collegio Internationale del Gesù in Rome. The first Assistant … [Read more...]
Not the same tongue, but the same language – Interview with Arturo Sosa, SJ
One may wonder how this group of men from hundreds of countries, gathered in this beautiful hall, can truly understand itself, given that each person brings with himself a cultural baggage that necessarily influences his understanding, the way he interacts, and the way he intervenes. We met with Father Arturo Sosa, a Venezuelan, and we asked him this question. If cultural … [Read more...]
The Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of the Society of Jesus
God, gather and turn my thoughts to you. With you there is light, you do not forget me. With you there is help and patience. I do not understand your ways, but you know the way for me. Dietrich Bonhoeffer For Ignatius the veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary was an essential part of his spirituality. At crucial points in his life Ignatius had recourse to her … [Read more...]
Eucharist in Saint Peter’s Basilica
This morning, Friday, the members of the Congregation with the staff members had to wake up early. To begin the day, they all took the short trip from the General Curia to Saint Peter’s Square. They walked under heavy rain: was it the blessings of heavens pouring on them? They went first through the Holy Door of the Year of Mercy. This jubilee year promulgated by Pope … [Read more...]
Prayer, Reflection and Conversation
We have now finished four full days of GC36. We were about to change gears and move into the process of discernment for electing a new Fr General but this morning we stopped and reviewed how we were going! Some felt we needed more time to listen and learn more about each other. Some wanted to move on. Our dispersal is spread over thirteen Roman houses (most delegates are … [Read more...]
Make my heart like unto yours
Our earliest companions, even though they considered themselves weak and fragile and originating from many different places, found the will of God together amid great diversity of opinion. What enabled them to find God’s will was their “decided care and alertness to initiate a completely open way” and to offer themselves fully to it for the greater glory of God. Thus they began … [Read more...]
Next Step: Election of the Secretary of the Congregation
We want you to follow what is happening in Rome! That’s the reason why we tell you about the various steps of the process. The Congregation is underway, no doubt about it! But not yet at the core of its two main tasks: the election of a Superior General and the discussions on important topics for the future of the universal Society of Jesus. During the first days of the … [Read more...]
A paperless Congregation?
We met with Fr. Agnelo Mascarenhas, originally from Goa but for several years now a member of the Jesuit curia. He is the Sub-Secretary of the Society of Jesus and as such very involved in the preparation of the General Congregation. We wanted to know more about one of the most innovative aspects of this GC, the use of tablets in the aula by the members for the largest part of … [Read more...]
Somewhere in that upper room
This week started with Fr. Adolfo Nicholas, S.J. nominating Fr. James Grummer, S.J. as Vicar General of the Society of Jesus, and entrusted the General Congregation to his care, till the election of the new General. He then placed his resignation on the floor of the house, which you already know, was accepted. Fr. Nicholas' term as General would rank amongst some of the … [Read more...]
Works of Art in the New Aula
The hall of the Congregation is sober and its furnishings are designed to favor, first of all, the concentration of those gathered on their task. The surroundings do not distract the eye. However, those who designed the hall asked Slovenian Jesuit artist Marko Ivan Rupnik to add some visual elements in the spirit of the work that would be done in this space. Rupnik is known … [Read more...]
What is the CoCo?
Since long before the Plenary Session of the General Congregation began, a special committee has been in charge of all the aspects of the preparation of the event. It is the Coordinating Committee, better known among the electors and the staff as the CoCo. We met one member of this Committee, Fr. Tim Kesicki, who is the President of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the … [Read more...]
In God’s Hands
A child on his/her mother’s back (or hands) does not worry about the journey, so says an African proverb. The child feels secure, cared for, protected and loved by the mother. When around mid-morning of Monday, 3 October 2016, Fr. General Adolfo Nicolás tendered his resignation to General Congregation (GC) 36, there was certainly no doubt that that was a “matter of greater … [Read more...]
Recognition manifested to Father Adolfo Nicolás
During the morning session on Monday, October 3rd, after the General Congregation had accepted the resignation of Father Nicolás as General of the Society, Father Federico Lombardi, one of the four Assistants ad providentiam, came in front of Congregation to honour the outgoing Superior General. The Assistants ad providentiam, who are elected by the General Congregation, are … [Read more...]
To Set a General Free …
The adjective ‘solemn’ finds itself attached to so many events, usually inappropriately, but occasionally a moment arises when only that word applies. This morning definitely presented one such situation, the acceptance of the resignation of Father Adolfo Nicolás, our Superior General. For me, the moment eclipsed even the moving and beautiful opening liturgy last evening, led … [Read more...]
What are the members of the Congregation doing in these days?
In a few days, members of General Congregation will elect the 31st Superior General of the Society of Jesus. Until then, the work of the congregation will be divided in two phases. The first phase will be a discussion on the current state of the Society in the world. The electors received, beforehand, the report of a committee that worked before the plenary session to outline … [Read more...]
Working Groups and Logistics
Before the first phase of the Congregation, and before the days of prayer and discernment that are called the murmurationes phase (an article on this subject will come out soon), the electors study the reports of different committees that have worked before the plenary session. First of all there is the “De Statu” report, which must draw the portrait of the current state of the … [Read more...]
The first session in the aula and Father Nicolás’ resignation
The members of General Congregation 36 had the opportunity to participate, during the preceding days, in information sessions about their work and technical environment in the aula, including the use of the electronic tablets through which they are getting access to the majority of the working documents and materials. Therefore, on this Monday morning, at 9:00 a.m., they were … [Read more...]
Fr. Bruno Cadoré, OP, to the Jesuits: The faith of audacity – the faith of the humble servant
The 215 members of the Jesuit General Congregation 36 celebrated Mass at the Church of the Gesù on October 2, to launch the Congregation. The main presider was Father Bruno Cadoré, the Master of the Order of Preachers (also known as the Dominican Order). The relationship between the Dominicans and Jesuits goes back to the conversion of Saint Ignatius, who would ask himself, “If … [Read more...]
The preparation of the Congregation outside of Rome
The Jesuit Conferences of different parts of the world have been involved in the preparation of the GC since the announcement made by Fr. General in December 2014. They have held preparatory meetings of their delegates. More recently, they have collaborated in a broad communication project which aims to make the 36th General Congregation an event that reaches all Jesuits and … [Read more...]
They have come from all over the world
In the days leading up to the 36th General Congregation’s opening plenary session, the members of the congregation trickled in, a few at a time. Some have come from far away. The Indonesian provincial, Fr. Sunu, travelled more than 20 hours. He is glad to have the opportunity to share his experiences in a Country that has one of the largest Muslim populations in the world but … [Read more...]