After a month and half of intense communication, we are arriving to the end of the Congregation and, with it, we will be closing down this channel. During the last 6 weeks we have been communicating with almost 10.000 users through our daily newsletter and with more than 175.000 different users (1,25 million pages viewed) through our website. Our channels have been so alive … [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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
“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...]
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...]
« 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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
“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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
Interview with Fr. Nicolás: From prophecy to wisdom, a new language for the mission of the Society
The 36th General Congregation was called in December 2014 by the present Superior General, Fr. Adolfo Nicolás, SJ. Earlier, in a letter published on May 20th of the same year, the Father General had told the Society, that he had reached the personal conviction that it was his duty to start the necessary steps to present his resignation to the General Congregation. In the … [Read more...]
Changing Demographics
One point of interest that has captured our attention about General Congregation 36 is the growing presence of active members from provinces of the global south. For GC 35 this region already represented the majority (54%). Now, however, their percentage has increased to represent 59% of the Congregation. Among other aspects, this reflects the growing number of vocations in … [Read more...]
Infographic of a Congregation
Here you have a nicely done infographic on the main facts around GC36: Timeline with all the Congregations, some of the most important dates, composition of delegates, etc... You can download the file in English, French, Spanish and Italian. … [Read more...]
What is a General Congregation?
In the 476 years since its founding, the Society of Jesus has convened only 35 general congregations. The 36th General Congregation will convene in Rome on October 2, 2016. A general congregation is always summoned on the death or resignation of the head of the Society — the Superior General — to choose his successor, or when the General decides action is needed on serious … [Read more...]
476 years, 30 superiors general
In it's 476 year history, the Society of Jesus has had 30 superiors general. In October 2016, the Society will gather to elect its 31st superior general. … [Read more...]
How will the Congregation elect the New Superior General?
The Congregation will begin with a prayer to the Holy Spirit, said by all the delegates. Then, there will be some some brief business that involves electing officers and those who will serve as secretaries for the sake of efficient business. And after the Congregation determines that everyone is there who should be there, the Congregation declares itself in session. The … [Read more...]
Where Will GC36 Take Place?
Delegates to GC 36 will gather in Rome at the Jesuit Curia, the worldwide headquarters of the Society of Jesus. The Curia is a large compound, just steps from the Vatican. Jesuits will meet in the Aula (Latin for hall), a large meeting room that can hold 250 delegates, each seated at a small desk, as well as a long table for the Superior General and staff assisting … [Read more...]
Brothers at GC36
For the first time ever, Jesuit brothers will be electors at a General Congregation. One of them, moreover, will be the youngest elector at the upcoming Congregation: James Edema. This 39-year-old counselor from Uganda was elected by the Jesuit Conference of Africa. At the age of 66, the Australian Ian Cribb is the oldest elector. His theological area of specialization is … [Read more...]
Chest of Relics
All along its history, the Society of Jesus has given the Church many Saints and Blessed, among whom not a few were martyrs. Since the ‘Chiesa del Gesu’’ is the Mother Church of the Jesuit Order, an important number of relics is kept in its sacristy and most of which are kept in very simple containers. With the aim of displaying them in a more dignified way for the respect … [Read more...]
The Narrative Behind the Logo of GC 36
The logo for General Congregation 36 (GC 36) receives its inspiration from the exhortation of Pope Francis to the Jesuits in the Church of the Gesú in Rome, on September 27, 2014, on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the restoration of the Society of Jesus. His Holiness encouraged us to know how to discern in the midst of difficult times, to be submissive and obedient to … [Read more...]