Midway through the Meeting of Major Superiors, the focus shifted to a theme that characterizes Jesuit life today: collaboration and mission partnership. Jesuits across the world share their work with lay colleagues, religious and partners that each bring their own gifts, talents, and convictions to the service of the mission.

Manuel Martínez (Associate for Mission Partnership) and Fr Seán Michaelson (US West Province), led the reflection on the day’s theme, giving a presentation on their experience on the current state of mission partnership, the challenges, and where the Spirit might be leading the Society of Jesus today. They drew from the results of a questionnaire sent to Jesuits and lay collaborators around the world, as well as the fruit of meetings with experts working in the field of mission partner development.

Manuel noted that the word “collaboration” can sometimes be misunderstood. “Collaboration, although recognized as essential to the Jesuit mission, remains an ambiguous reality: deeply relational in its essence, but still poorly defined in its meaning and in the way it translates into the structures of the Society”, he said. “It is also true, as the document De Statu Societatis pointed out, that terms such as collaborator, partner/companion in mission, and co-worker in mission are used inconsistently and often lack clarity, leading to many misunderstandings, especially regarding the following point: that relationality is fundamental to collaboration.”

The presenters stressed that collaboration must rest on Ignatian spirituality as a shared foundation for meaning, identity, and commitment. Also, continuous lay formation is essential, as well as a deepening of commitment to Christ’s mission.

They also acknowledged the challenges; true collaboration requires trust, formation, and clear communication. It asks Jesuits to listen and continue to develop structures that promote a culture of collaboration that emphasizes broad mission partnership and effectiveness in a way authentic to the governance of the Society of Jesus.

“What we have learned is that collaboration is not just one way of doing something, rather, collaboration itself fulfils the mission of the Society and the Church. In laboring with one another, we grow in love, commitment, and understanding for one another. Collaboration is not a means toward an end, collaborating for the mission of the Church and the Society is itself a fundamental part of that mission.”

Throughout the discussions, there was a strong sense that collaboration in the mission of the Society is not merely a practical necessity but a spiritual and strategic opportunity. In a fragmented world, it invites the Society to move from a model of welcoming others to contribute to our mission to one in which the mission is jointly discerned and carried together.

The Major Superiors had the opportunity to deepen their reflections on the theme in smaller groups and later bring them all together at a plenary session. What was clear at the end of the day was the quiet recognition that the Society’s strength, beyond numbers, also lies in relationships: walking together, discerning together, and trusting that we all – Jesuits and lay collaborators alike – have a part to play in Christ’s mission.