What does a group of communicators working in different European Provinces of the Society talk about when they come together? You’d imagine that it would be a lot of “computer talk”, but the just-concluded JesWebCom might surprise you.

From 6 to 9 May, this group of 18 communicators met in the serene and picturesque premises of the Cardoner Hotel in Dobogókó, Hungary, to pray, reflect and share their different experiences, as they seek to enhance the online platforms of their respective Provinces. The websites they handle, of course, serve the important task of providing a conduit for communication, outreach, and engagement with different kinds of audiences - Catholic and non-Catholic alike.

At the center of the discussions was a common commitment to leveraging the resources available to the communicators in order to amplify the Jesuit voice in its mission of social justice, pastoral presence, service and vocations. The communicators shared their opinions on the intersection between effective communication and their technical know-how, and how media serves the mission of the Society today.

In one of the sessions, Fr Bálint Nagy SJ, the vocations promoter of the Hungarian Province, gave a presentation and highlighted the importance of communications in developing a long-term vocation-friendly culture within the Hungarian Province and the wider Society of Jesus. He added that a vocation-friendly culture centers around the four points of: promoting an adult Catholic life, living in community and serving others, responsibility in studies and work, and basic mental and physical health. In this regard, focusing on highlighting an authentic representation of our Jesuit life, including through the media, is, of itself, a large part of vocations promotions. The role of the media, he underlined, is to aid in building a trustful and emotional connection, undertake regular initiatives, advocate and be active in the general mission of vocation and, put out regular invitations to young men who are willing to share their lives with the Society.

Another focal point during the meetings was discussing the challenges faced by the individual participants in their work, including the difficulty of receiving/reporting information in a timely manner, maintaining a common branding, the financial implication of running each one of the communications offices and maintaining the public identity of the Jesuit tradition. These discussions naturally opened the door that transformed the meeting into a platform for sharing best practices, insights, common resources.

Beyond the more professional considerations, the participants also took advantage of the meeting to visit the Jesuit Refugee Service in Hungary (JRS) as well as the Province Curia. On the sidelines, the meeting fostered a strong sense of solidarity and camaraderie amongst the participants as they bonded over the shared feeling that they face similar challenges and situations in their work experiences. By strengthening these interpersonal connections amongst themselves, they renewed their sense of purpose and shared mission within their work for the Society of Jesus.

Looking ahead, the 2024 JesWebCom meeting set the agenda for further collaborative efforts among the communicators in Europe. By channeling common efforts and embracing innovation, it aims to make an impact in the online space, advance the mission of the Society and make the works of the Society more known. The meeting was a testament to the relevance of the Society of Jesus within the digital space.