By Educate Magis

How has innovation in Jesuit Education helped educators of our JGNS discover our global apostolic potential and walk as a global network in the service of the mission?

In August 2027 in Montreal, the Jesuit Global Network of Schools (JGNS) will mark the conclusion of another 9‑year cycle of global gatherings– and the beginning of a new one. This milestone is more than another anniversary; it is the continuation of an intentional plan for global collaboration. And consistent with our mission, Educate Magis has been there to support this collaboration.

Why did Fr José Mesa, the former Secretary for Secondary and Pre-secondary Education, and the regional leaders of the International Commission on the Apostolate of Jesuit Education (ICAJE) commit to this 9‑year cycle? Because they believed that a structured, long‑view approach could unlock the potential of our global apostolic body. They wanted to create a space for discernment, shared mission, and sustained innovation – all hallmarks of the Ignatian tradition. While St Ignatius never used the word “innovation” as we do today, the principles that guided him are clearly present in the design of this cycle.

Community-Building & Discernment in Common: Ignatius consistently brought people together to pray, reflect, and discern the needs of the mission. The 9‑year cycle does the same by creating regular meetings where educators can listen to one another, surface emerging realities, and discern a common path forward. These global gatherings also serve as joyful experiences that remind attendees that they belong to an important collaborative endeavour – Jesuit Education. When the cycle of gatherings was threatened to be disrupted by the pandemic in 2021, the II Colloquium JESEDU-Global was successfully conducted “online” due to the innovation of our people and the technological capability of Educate Magis.

Sharing of Best Practices: Ignatius wrote thousands of letters to guide, encourage, and connect Jesuits across continents. This was his way of creating a living network of shared insights and effective practices. Today’s global meetings serve the same purpose: they allow Ignatian educators to learn from one another, celebrate successes, and reflect on challenges. And to maximize the effectiveness of these in-person sharing sessions, Educate Magis hosted virtual, global pre-meetings and provided innovative pre-reading materials for participants.

Contextual Adaptation: For Ignatius, context was never an obstacle, it was the starting point for mission. He encouraged his colleagues to adapt to the people, cultures, and circumstances of each place. The 9‑year cycle gives the network time to understand emerging contexts, experiment with new approaches, and evaluate what truly serves students today. Educate Magis, the online apostolic community and platform of Jesuit/Ignatian educators, exists to help our network share and understand these different contexts... and develop innovative ways to unleash our potential.

Education delegates from around the world will gather in Canada in 2027 to discern and align on the action plan that will guide the next cycle of global collaboration. Their work will help shape how Jesuit schools respond to the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing world. As they prepare for Montreal, let us accompany them with our support and our prayers – trusting that the same Spirit who guided Ignatius will continue to inspire bold, generous, and hope‑filled outcomes.