“Lives on the Way”: The Enlarged Council Meets
There is a certain beauty in the image of the Magi: travellers following a star, moving toward something greater than themselves. This was the guiding thought shared by Father General Arturo Sosa as he opened the Enlarged Council (Consiglio Allargato) meeting in Rome this week.
Drawing on the words of Pope Leo XIV, Father General reminded the Council that “we are lives on the way”. For the Society of Jesus, this isn’t just a poetic sentiment – it’s a call to action. “The Gospel”, he notes, “urges the Church to embrace change and movement, directing that energy toward the God who inspires it”.
From January 12–16, 2026, the Curia is serving as a space for this movement, as the Council seeks to turn the broad ideas of “collaboration and networking” into a lived reality.
Moving Beyond Theory
This gathering doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It builds on the momentum of the Major Superiors’ meeting in October 2025. While that meeting established why we need to work together, this Council is asking how.
The discernment is focusing on five practical paths to reshape how the Society functions in a complex world:
• Finding a Shared Language: Being clear about roles so that partnerships are built on transparency.
• Prioritizing Relationships: Creating a “mission formation” that focuses as much on the people as the tasks.
• Reclaiming Our History: Remembering that the Jesuit story has always been one of collaboration with others.
• Shared Leadership: Deepening a commitment to “collaborative governance” that isn’t just top-down.
• Discerning Together: Refining our ability to listen to the Spirit as a community, staying true to our Ignatian roots.
The conversation is also touching on vital reports concerning the role of women in the Society and the new apostolic opportunities emerging after COP30.
It All Comes Down to Relationship
While the meeting covers governance and reports, the heartbeat of the discussion is profoundly human. Fr John Dardis captured this sentiment when reflecting on the week’s progress.
“What I’m taking away is that collaboration is fundamentally about the quality of our relationships”, Fr Dardis shares. “Whether it’s a Jesuit superior working with a director, or our connection with lay colleagues, we have to grow in our capacity for deep, honest encounter. It’s a lifelong process, and at its centre is always our relationship with Jesus Christ.”
Accompaniment: The Next Generation
The Council also looked toward the future by welcoming the MAGIS team, who shared both the challenges and the incredible potential of young adult ministry today.
Fr Partha Sarathi, who leads the MAGIS Digital Home in Chennai, spoke about the deep hunger young people have for belonging. “They need communities where they can find hope and peace. We are called to provide these spaces of encounter – places where they feel welcomed and truly accompanied.”
Looking further ahead, Fr Hak-joon Kim who heads the organising team of MAGIS 2027 in South Korea shared the exciting progress. “This is a milestone for us”, Fr Kim says. “The theme will be ‘Living Hope, Igniting Peace’. We are so excited to host this global family and see how Ignatian tradition can spark something new in the hearts of young adults.”
For more updates, you can visit magis2027.org
Listening for the “Thread” of the Spirit
True to the Jesuit way, these meetings are not just about strategy; they are rooted in prayer. Each day begins with personal reflection, asking simple but profound questions like, “Where am I finding hope?”
To help make sense of it all, Fr James Hanvey is serving as the Council’s “Reflector”. His task is to be the “thread” that connects one day to the next, listening for the underlying themes that emerge when a global group shares from the heart.
“To reflect is to listen for the harmony in a room of many voices”, Fr Hanvey notes. “Our task is to ensure that the Spirit remains the guiding force that pulls us toward a more collaborative future.”
As the Council continues its work, the goal remains clear: to ensure the Society of Jesus remains a “life on the way”, ever-moving toward a deeper, more inclusive service of the faith and the promotion of justice.
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