The third meeting of the Major Superiors of the Society will hold in October. The first two meetings were in 2000 and 2005 in accordance with a decision taken by the 34^th General Congregation (GC 34) to hold a Meeting of Major Superiors (MMS) approximately every six years beginning from the last General Congregation to “consider the state, the problems, and the initiatives of the universal Society, as well as international and supra-Provincial cooperation”.

From 17 – 26 October, the General Curia will be abuzz with Major Superiors, meeting to reflect and share about how to better live fully the mission that gives meaning to our Jesuit vocation and the apostolates in which we collaborate with other people.

In typical Jesuit fashion, the meeting begins with a retreat, a choice that signals the tone, before delving into the themes in focus. The work that follows the retreat will flow from that foundation of prayer, silence, and listening.

A central theme will be the missionary identity of the Society, exploring where the Spirit is already at work in order to step into those spaces with creativity and humility. In a world that is constantly changing, issues like migration, the digital culture, and climate change all raise questions about what it means to be missionary.

Another thread for the meeting is the Universal Apostolic Preferencesof the Society. The four Preferences – showing the way to God, walking with the excluded, caring for our common home, and journeying with youth – have shaped the mission of the Society since 2019. The meeting will not only take stock of the progress so far, but also explore what needs to change.

Collaboration will also be in the spotlight. Jesuit works depend on lay collaborators, religious and partners across traditions. The meeting will look at partnership as a dimension of the missionary identity of the Society.

The role of leadership – the mission of the Major Superior in apostolic and personal care – will also come under reflection. Another particularly pressing issue will be safeguarding and how to contribute to a culture of protecting vulnerable individuals. The Society, like the wider Church, has faced some painful situations that require larger reflection.

Looking to the future, the Major Superiors will also discuss vocations. While numbers are not the sole measure of the vitality, the Society nonetheless requires new members to carry on its mission.

Running through these themes is the question of governance of the Society. The meeting will reimagine the structures of governance, the Conferences of Major Superiors, supra-Provincial projects and the formation of Jesuits and partners in mission to shape structures that serve the mission of the Society.

We are all invited to pray for a renewed Society with a stronger drive to respond with faith and creativity to the needs of the world.