One step closer to beatification of Fr Pedro Arrupe SJ
14 November 2024 marked a major milestone in the journey toward canonization for Fr Pedro Arrupe SJ, with the Closing of the Diocesan Inquiry into his life, virtues, reputation of holiness, and of signs of the Servant of God.
The event took place in the beautiful Conciliation Hall of the Lateran Apostolic Palace under the direction of the Diocesan Tribunal of Rome. Archbishop Baldassare Reina, the Pope’s Vicar for the Diocese of Rome presided over the proceedings, alongside Mons. Giuseppe D’Alonzo, the Episcopal Delegate, and other officials of the Tribunal. Father General Arturo Sosa, Ambassadors, invited guests, members of congregations with Ignatian spirituality, and Jesuits from different communities in Rome also graced the occasion.
The ceremony began with a prayer, after which Fr Pascual Cebollada SJ, the General Postulator of the Society of Jesus, took a solemn oath. The Tribunal members signed formal documents relating to the cause, and then came the big moment: the boxes in which the documents were collected during the Diocesan Inquiry were officially sealed with wax – a visible sign of the end of this phase of the process.
Archbishop Reina, in his address, recalled that 14 November coincides with the birth date of Fr Arrupe (Pedro Arrupe was born on 14 November 1907). He retraced Fr Arrupe’s biography, highlighting his Jesuit formation and his faithful obedience to the Church. Citing several writings and instances from Arrupe’s life, Archbishop Reina underlined Arrupe’s positive attributes: his deep spirituality, generosity, obedience to the Pope, service and leadership of the Society of Jesus as Superior General, advocacy for justice and service leading to the creation of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), the encouragement of the intellectual apostolate, among others. The Archbishop further noted that even during his time of ill health, Arrupe continued to be exemplary, edifying all who came to visit.
In his remarks, Father Sosa expressed gratitude to the Tribunal, to the Historical Commission and the Theological censors for their work during the Diocesan phase of the cause. He said that the Society of Jesus is “pleased to collaborate in presenting to the universal Church and the world one of the most distinguished sons of Saint Ignatius”.
“We are proud that his life of permanent search for God's will can be offered as a model and beacon of light for so many”, Fr Sosa said, and prayed that one day, not too far off, Fr Arrupe might be considered for canonization.
The ceremony came to a close with a prayer for the cause of Fr Arrupe, followed by a blessing byArchbishop Reina and the singing of the “Salve regina”.
The Church’s process towards beatification, which precedes canonization, involves an intense scrutiny of the candidate’s life and legacy. Since the Opening Session of the Cause in 2019, the tribunal has gathered extensive oral and documentary evidence to support the fame of sanctity of Fr Arrupe. The boxes containing all collected documents were sealed during this ceremony and will be sent to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, where the process will enter its next phase: the “Roman” phase. Although further steps remain before Fr Arrupe can be declared a saint, today’s milestone brings him closer. The process toward canonization is explained in this article.
Widely recognized for his deep spirituality, reforming leadership and advocacy for social justice, Fr Arrupe’s legacy as the 28th General of the Society of Jesus endures not only in Jesuit circles but in the wider Church and world. His challenge to Jesuits to be “men and women for others” still inspires countless initiatives around the world. Let us thank God for the example of this visionary Jesuit and continue to pray for the advancement of the cause of Fr Pedro Arrupe SJ.
Prayer
O God, loving Father: in baptism you clothed with Christ your servant Pedro Arrupe and you called him to follow you in spiritual poverty in the Society of Jesus, listen to our prayer benevolently.
He delivered himself to you completely, in missionary activity, and in the guidance of his brothers; in time of health, as in the hour of infirmity.
Moved by the Holy Spirit, you placed him at the service of faith, making him a master of discernment and meek servant of the justice of the Kingdom.
With trust we pray, in imitation of Jesus Christ, poor and humble, whom he loved deeply, that Father Arrupe be recognized as a model of evangelical life and prophetic witness in the world, encouraging us to become in every culture “men and women for others”.
By his intercession, and for your greater glory, I ask you now for this particular grace [...] that you grant to me, as long as it is for your service and praise.
Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Related Posts:
The General Curia of the Society of Jesus launches its brand-new Webinars’ Calendar. After being in pilot mode for the last two years, these meetings have proved to be incredibly useful, with sometimes up to 600 people taking part from all around the globe. The idea is to provide ongoing formation...
The General Curia concluded its social year with a gathering in the Aula on 19 June that brought together the Jesuit members of the Curia community and the lay collaborators that jointly sustain its administrative operations...
The Enlarged Council brought together the Secretaries of the Apostolic Sectors, General Counsellors, General Treasurer, Presidents of Conferences, and other officials at the Curia to examine a central question: How to increase and deepen collaboration across apostolic...
On 5 June 1546, Paul III signed the brief “Exponi nobis”, which addressed how men who did not belong to the original group of highly qualified priests of the Society could nonetheless belong to it and serve its mission. The brief did so by establishing the grade of coadjutor...
Four hundred and eighty-four years ago, the Apostle of Asia stepped ashore in Portuguese India – marking both the end of a long formation and the beginning of a ministry that would span a continent. The arrival of St Francis Xavier (1506–1552) in Goa, India, on 6 May 1542 was at once a...
Superior General Arturo Sosa has convoked the 72nd Congregation of Procurators, bringing representatives from across the Society of Jesus to Indonesia in October 2027. The gathering will examine how the Society’s structures must be reshaped to carry its mission forward...
