A voice for young adults at the table of the Enlarged Council of Father General

Fr Hak-joon Kim, SJ, known as Lorenzo, presented to the Enlarged Council of Father General the progress in the preparation of MAGIS 2027, the Ignatian meeting of young adults. The meeting will take place in South Korea from July 25 to August 2, 2027, just before World Youth Day in Seoul.

“It will be the first time that World Youth Day will be celebrated in a country where Christians are not in the majority”, Fr Hak-joon said during his presentation. “This represents a unique opportunity for interreligious dialogue and to show how Christian hope can flourish in any cultural context.”

The MAGIS meeting, which will have as its theme “Living Hope, Igniting Peace”, will have as its main venue the Sogang University, a Jesuit institution that will serve as “Villa MAGIS” during the common days that kick off the program. After that, participants disperse in groups of around 20 on “experiments” – a termdrawn from Ignatian tradition referring to formative experiences that engage the whole person.

Rather than passive learning, experiments invite young adults to encounter God through action and reflection: walking a pilgrimage, serving those on the margins, or entering into dialogue with other faith traditions.

A favorable moment

Father General Arturo Sosa, SJ, expressed his conviction that this is a propitious moment to promote MAGIS as a universal network-movement. “We have seen how MAGIS has grown in creative ways all over the world, from the ground up”, he said. “The presence of the young adult ministry assistants from the different Conferences demonstrates this. These months of preparation for MAGIS 2027 can be a period of grace and opportunity.”

Symbols with Korean roots

The event’s logo incorporates elements of Korean artistic tradition. The MAGIS cross has been redesigned using traditional floral patterns present in Korean art and architecture. A dove with a flame-shaped wing – a symbol of the Holy Spirit and peace – holds this cross-flower in its beak.

The dominant color is jade green (bi-chui), one of the most representative shades of Korean culture, visible in the celadon pottery of the Goryeo dynasty. According to tradition, jade symbolizes purity and is closely linked to the hope and peace that human beings seek to achieve.

Diverse experiments

Participants will be sent to various “experiments” that will include pilgrimages to shrines of Korean martyrs, nature retreats, ecology programs, service with migrant workers, interfaith dialogue, including stays in Buddhist temples, and artistic and cultural experiences.

In his presentation to the Enlarged Council, Fr Hak-joon has already extended his request for collaboration to the universal Society through the Presidents of the Conferences to make possible the participation of young people from regions with fewer resources.

The organizing team will soon send communication to the Provinces and those responsible for youth ministry. Registration will open in October 2026. In the meantime, interested young people can follow the news through the official MAGIS channels.

“We will provide special formation for those coming to Korea”, said Hak-joon. “This will mean better participation, but it will also mean that when they go back to their countries those 1,000 young adults can be agents of Gospel change.”

And all of us can pray for the success of the meeting.

To learn more about the Magis Think In gathering that took place in early January in Rome, read our article “Lift Off for MAGIS: Young Adults Answering the Call”.