Society of Jesus reaffirms mission of Reconciliation and Justice
After ten days of prayer, conversation, reflection, and discernment, the third Meeting of Major Superiors of the Society of Jesus has come to a close.
Over the past days, the Jesuit leaders reflected deeply on themes that shape the life-mission of the Society today: the Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAPs), collaboration, Cura Apostolica and Cura Personalis, safeguarding, structures of governance, promotion of vocations...
While the Meeting of Major Superiors does not have legislative authority and issues no decrees, its role remains vital. It offers a space for those directly involved in the governance of the Society to reflect on global progress, challenges, and future opportunities. These meetings are to be held approximately every 6 years beginning from the last General Congregation, as stipulated in decree 23 of the General Congregation 34.
The final sessions focused on gathering the fruits of these reflections.
Listening to the Spirit
Father General offered some closing remarks at the end of the Meeting. He noted that the Major Superiors, aware of the shared responsibility for the life and mission of the Society, set out during the Meeting “to grow as a group capable of discerning together the spiritual movements that are at work in the body of the Society, in the Church, and in the social and cultural contexts in which we live, in order to better carry out our mission of reconciliation and justice”.
He described the method used throughout the Meeting, which started with two days of retreat: listening to thoughtful presentations, spending time in personal prayer, sharing insights in small groups, and gathering in plenary sessions. The daily Eucharist, he added, “allowed us to strengthen the bond of a community of friends in the Lord who gather around his word and in the communion of his body and blood”.
Mission of reconciliation and justice reaffirmed
“We have received confirmation that we have been sent on a mission of reconciliation and justice”, Fr Sosa said.
He noted that the Meeting deepened the understanding of the UAPs as key guidelines for orienting the life-mission of the Society. Discussions also examined the complexity of putting them into practice across Provinces and Regions, especially in formation and with those with whom we share our apostolates. Father Sosa also pointed out the importance of ongoing “personal, community, and institutional conversion that guarantees the identity of what we do”.
“The Holy Father, Leo XIV, completed the confirmation of the mission, insisting on the centrality of Jesus in our life-mission and sending us to the frontiers of service to the faith and the struggle for justice, the new intellectual frontiers, and the digital world”, Fr Sosa said.
Important themes
Father Sosa went on to talk about the many themes discussed during the Meeting.
A major part of the discussions, he said, centred on the culture of care. Caring for those engaged in the mission – Jesuits and collaborators alike – is a demanding but essential responsibility. Formation was identified as a key concern, with a call for capable formators and superiors who can animate communities with faith and discernment.
He also spoke about the need for care, including for those who care for others, adding that fostering safe environments is also a dimension of the culture of care.
Father General noted that the new demands of the mission and the evolution of the Society call for reimagining our apostolates and governance structures.
He reminded the Major Superiors that true vocation promotion begins with hope in the Lord and called on everyone to pray earnestly in this regard. The consistency of our life-mission with the charism we have received, he said, is what attracts and sustains new vocations.
He also underlined the importance of intergenerational dialogue, calling it a daily task “that allows for the authentic transmission of the charism we have received”.
“We have learned that true discernment happens when we speak freely and listen humbly”, said Fr Antoine Kerhuel, the Secretary General of the Society of Jesus. “This Meeting has helped us examine our mission in the world as Jesuits and will be instrumental as we chart our path into the future.”
Special moments
While each day of the Meeting carried its own importance, some moments were particularly remarkable. On 24 October, all 100 participants were granted an audience in the Vatican by Pope Leo XIV. The Holy Father both encouraged and challenged the Major Superiors, inviting them to keep their focus on Christ as they go about their mission of service.
Another highlight was the pilgrimage through the Holy Door at St Peter’s Basilica. Jesuits from all continents walked in procession, praying and singing together, showing the universality of the hope and mission that we all share as members of the Society of Jesus.
The third Meeting of Major Superiors ended with the celebration of the Eucharist, presided over by Father Arturo Sosa at the Chiesa del Gesù in Rome.
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