The Colloquium on Jesuit Education is a triennial gathering hosted by the Jesuit Schools Network of North America. This year’s event, held from June 23–27 at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska (USA), brought together more than 400 Ignatian colleagues and partners from across North America and around the world. Guided by the biblical narrative of the Road to Emmaus, the Colloquium centered on the themes of Search, Encounter, and Believe.

Search: Listening to Our Students

The gathering began by focusing on the spiritual hunger of today’s youth. Many students are seeking meaning, identity, and purpose, often without a strong religious foundation. Dr Angela Patterson of the Springtide Research Institute offered a research-based perspective on this reality. Her work amplified the voices of emerging generations, highlighting how relationships and community shape their search for meaning.

Encounter: Experiencing God through Ignatian Spirituality

The second day focused on the transformative power of encountering God through the gift of Ignatian spirituality. These encounters often occur for students during retreats, service experiences, accompaniment and cura personalis – the Jesuit tradition of personal care. Lori Stanley, executive director of the Loyola Institute for Spirituality (Orange, California), emphasized that for students to truly encounter God, the adults in their lives must first be shaped by Ignatian spirituality and by the encounter with God.

Believe: Building Communities of Faith

The final theme, “Believe”, explored how Jesuit schools can cultivate and sustain communities of faith in a secularizing culture. Dr Paul Sharkey of the Catholic Theological College in Australia encouraged educators to view secularism not as a threat but as a complex context that invites thoughtful, faith-filled engagement. He advocated for an approach that is confidently Catholic yet open to diverse perspectives. Rooted in cura personalis, this approach supports students through doubt and the search for meaning, offering a faith that is both intellectually credible and spiritually grounded.

A Global Vision, A Local Mission

The 2025 Colloquium built on the global vision shaped at the 2024 gathering in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, where 12 JSN colleagues joined colleagues from the Jesuit Global Network of Schools to reflect on “Educating for Faith in the 21^st Century.” Fr José Mesa, SJ, Secretary of Fr General for Secondary and Pre-Secondary Education, opened the Colloquium by grounding the North American conversation in this global vision. His remarks invited participants to consider how the universal call of Jesuit education could be lived out in their local contexts.

The Colloquium was also open to the participation of several guests from the Jesuit Global Network of Schools, emphasizing the global relevance of the event as part of our journey in learning how to walk together as a global network. Among others, the event was joined by David Smith, Director of the Global Apostolic Online Community of Educate Magis, Rodolfo Abello SJ, President of ACODESI, the network of Jesuit Schools in the Province of Colombia, and Adriana Cardenas, Executive Secretary of FLACSI, the Latin American Federation of Jesuit Schools.

An Experience of Reflection, Sharing, Colleagueship and Celebration

The Colloquium opened with a personal reflection by James Silva, a student at Creighton University and alumnus of Jesuit Academy and Creighton Preparatory School, who brought the Colloquium’s themes to life through his lived experience. Throughout the week, participants engaged in Ignatian prayer and spiritual conversation, celebrated Mass, and took part in professional exchanges through the Colleague HUB. They also enjoyed social gatherings, shared meals, a Coffee House, and visits to Jesuit Academy and Creighton Prep.

A highlight of the week was the presentation of the JSN Insignis Award to Fr Len Altilia, SJ, chaplain at Loyola High School, Montréal, QC, honoring his 56 years of serving Jesuit education throughout Canada.

The Colloquium concluded with a commissioning by Fr Brian Paulson, SJ, president of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States (JCCU) who sent forth participants on behalf of the Jesuit Provincials, encouraging them to carry the spirit of the Colloquium back to their schools and communities.

Conclusion: With Burning Hearts

The journey of the Colloquium mirrored the story of the disciples on the Road to Emmaus. From searching and questioning, to encountering Christ in the breaking of the bread, to proclaiming their faith with renewed conviction, the disciples’ journey can serve as a powerful metaphor for the spiritual formation of students in Jesuit schools, as well as an inspiration for those who teach them.

To contextualize the Colloquium within the process of re-defining the contemporary approach to Jesuit Education, you can read an article written by Fr Robert Reiser, SJ, Executive Director of JSN, for Boston College’s Jesuit Educational Quarterly.