Do you have questions about the upcoming Meeting of Major Superiors? You are not alone! To bring you along as preparations ramp up ahead of the event, we have put together some of the most common questions. Think of this as a guide to help you find out what the meeting is about, how it is different from a General Congregation, and even how you can stay connected through updates and prayer moments.

1. Why was this meeting convoked?

GC 34 Decree 23, C4: asks that

“Approximately every six years beginning from the last General Congregation, Father General shall convoke a meeting of all Provincials, in order to consider the state, the problems and the initiatives of the universal Society, as well as international and supra-Provincial cooperation.”

The last one was held in 2005. That was because there were various other meetings in between, such as General Congregations.

2. What is the main purpose of the October Meeting of Major Superiors?

Father General emphasizes that it is about the Missionary Identity of the Society of Jesus today. He has identified some main themes:

• The Universal Apostolic Preferences
• Partnership and collaboration
• The mission of the Major Superiors
• How to build a culture of safeguarding
• Re-imagining structures of governance
• Promoting Jesuit vocations

In the afternoons we also offer a menu of discussions that the Major Superiors can attend. Those discussions offer the chance for an in-depth look at issues such as:

• Keeping Jesus at the centre of our lives
• Mission partnership
• Safeguarding
• How to lead a Province when you are in a situation of war or under an authoritarian regime

3. Why begin with a retreat?

The retreat will set the tone, it will lay the foundation, it will ensure that each of us is in touch with Jesus. He’s the one who brings us inner freedom, who ignites our passion, who leads us forward. The General has decided to focus the Retreat on the Autobiography of Saint Ignatius. It will be a real privilege for all of us to do a retreat directed by Father General.

4. How does this meeting differ from a General Congregation?

This is very different from a General Congregation because it is related to the ordinary governance of the Society. It will give the General a big insight into what the Major Superiors are thinking and what their major concerns are. But it won’t make decrees. It doesn’t have legislative authority. In some ways, that’s an advantage because the writing of decrees during a General Congregation can take a lot of time and energy.

5. What impact will this meeting have on the global Society?

The impact will be most felt through the Major Superiors who hopefully will return to their Provinces and Regions re-energized. They will also have had a chance to meet with Pope Leo XIV, and that meeting is envisaged as an interchange and a dialogue. It will be in the new hall of the Synod. Soon after the meeting, Father General will write a letter where he summarizes the main insights and reflections of the group that gathered.

6. How can those who are not Major Superiors participate in the meeting?

The Communications Office is planning to produce regular articles. They will also issue photographs. In so many different ways, using social media as well as the more mainstream methods, they will communicate with the members of the Society and with those who are in partnership with us. There will also be live streaming of different prayer moments.