The works of the Society in the Valencian Community will play host to Father General Arturo Sosa during part of his visit to Spain. During his stay, he will visit places such as the Escuelas San José, the Centro Arrupe in Valencia, and the Colegio Nazaret in Alicante – works that embody the reality of the communities, lay teams, and apostolic sectors that carry out the mission of the Society.

Shared Mission – the deep collaboration between Jesuits and lay collaborators – continues to consolidate itself as one of the pillars of the Province of Spain, which dedicates one of the four apostolic priorities of its new Apostolic Project precisely to strengthening and deepening this shared calling.

A journey with deep roots

Shared Mission in Spain has a well-established history. In line with Decree 13 of the General Congregation 34 (1995), the Society has been promoting the Ignatian formation of lay collaborators. At that time, the former Provinces of Loyola and Bética had already developed their own specific formation plans.

Following the unification and creation of the Province of Spain in 2014, a common plan was established with two main programs: Identity and Mission – an intersectoral initiative – and Leadership, both of which remain reference points for the training and involvement of lay collaborators today.

It represents a paradigm shift adapted to the current reality of the Province, aiming at genuine co-responsibility between Jesuits and lay people, in harmony with the synodal spirit promoted by the Church. This shared responsibility is already visible in practice, with several laypersons holding leadership positions – for example, in the social sector and in Universidades Jesuitas (UNIJES), the Jesuit university network.

A Committed Laity in Alicante

In Alicante, Shared Mission takes on a very concrete face. Higinio Pi Pérez, superior of the Jesuit community there, describes a “strong and committed” laity surrounding the three main works: Colegio Inmaculada, the Obra Social Nazaret, and the Centro Loyola.

“All three are fundamentally led by lay collaborators in every area and role”, explains Higinio. “The presence of Jesuits varies and adapts to circumstances, but there is joint work in spirituality, leadership, and formation.”

During his visit, Father General will get to see these realities up close. He will meet with the team working on the Province’s Apostolic Project, visit the school and the social work, and take part in an encounter with the Ignatian family of the region – gathering former students, educators, volunteers, and members of the Christian Life Communities (CLC). He will also meet Bishop José Ignacio Munilla, Bishop of Orihuela-Alicante.

Accompanying and Building Community

The accompaniment of lay collaborators in Alicante takes place through sector-based formation processes, meetings with management teams, and personal accompaniment whenever possible. The pastoral centres also foster accompaniment for groups such as the Christian Life Communities.

“The fundamental challenge”, explains Higinio, “is to generate a true community of mission throughout Alicante – one that goes beyond individual works and expresses itself as a single apostolic body.”

This vision, shared across the Province, seeks to move from occasional collaboration to a more integrated mission, in which each person and each work recognize themselves as part of a single project at the service of the Kingdom.

A Future of Communion and Hope

The visit of Father General to Valencia and Alicante is not only an institutional gesture. It is also an invitation to look with gratitude at the path already travelled and to strengthen communion between Jesuits and lay collaborators.

As Araceli de los Ríos, Province Secretary for Shared mission, expresses it, “a shared mission is not merely an apostolic strategy; it is a way of living the Gospel in this time of the Church – a time in which we are all co-responsible for the mission entrusted to us”.