“We believe in Young People”
Fr General’s Pentecost message about the Society’s work with Young Adults
In a special letter to Jesuit Major Superiors released for Pentecost 2026, Father General Sosa calls for a “new intensity, coherence, and depth” in Jesuit work with young adults. “Our apostolates are privileged spaces of encounter with the young”, says Fr Sosa, “and Ignatian spirituality finds a natural resonance in their daily lives.”
Challenges of our context today
Fr Sosa acknowledges the particular challenges the world is facing and how in so many places they are playing leadership roles:
“We see youth in Myanmar, Iran, Lebanon, Ukraine, the USA, South Sudan, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Venezuela and so many other places courageously stepping forward to fight for change”, says Fr Sosa. “We share their hopes and ideals. We want to journey with them towards a hope filled future.”
In this context, the letter gives a strong affirmation to young adults.
“We believe in young people”, says Fr Sosa. “We believe in their energy and their passion. We share many of their ideals, and we admire their capacity to incarnate those ideals.”
Hallmarks of Ignatian Young Adult accompaniment
Fr Sosa identifies three hallmarks of Ignatian young adult ministry:
• Vocational Element: we help young adults to discern where Jesus is leading them.
• A sensitivity to the poor: we accompany them in their desire to build a more just society.
• Community: we offer community and solidarity which he says is “a valuable antidote to the loneliness that many young adults feel”.
The global digital culture
Fr General sees the potential of the digital world and has established a working group to explore how digital applications can help in the accompaniment of young adults.
“Young people today are key protagonists in this rapidly evolving global digital culture”, says Fr Sosa. “They hold the intellectual and cultural keys that can unlock the door to many digital possibilities.”
Mr Gareth Powell, who works with the British province, is chairing this group with Mr Germán Muñoz, appointed as link person from the General Curia.
Role of younger Jesuits
“Younger Jesuits – scholastics, young priests and brothers – have a particular role to play in the Society’s commitment to reaching young adults”,says Fr Sosa. “These younger Jesuits form part of a new generation, and they too are seekers and searchers. They join the Society because they have come to know Jesus Christ and want to bring change based on His message. I invite them to contribute their creativity, their spiritual depth and their digital skills to help us advance our work with young adults.”
Magis 2027 in Korea
Fr Sosa outlines the plans for the Magis 2027 event in Korea, which will occur prior to World Youth Day. About 1,000 young adults from Jesuit and Ignatian backgrounds will attend. Father Sosa’s says that if those young adults come with good spiritual preparation and are chosen well, they can return to their provinces and regions and transform the outreach to young adults. He appeals to those who work with young adults to ensure that groups from marginalized communities are also represented in Korea and has specifically invited JRS to send some young adults from the migrant or refugee communities.
Closeness to Jesus
At the end of the letter, Father Sosa emphasises that closeness to the risen Jesus is key.
“Closeness to Him moves us beyond the closed doors of our fears”, says Fr Sosa, “and transforms us into people of courage who bring healing and hope. Joined by so many young adults, we recognize him in the resurrection, in the surprise of the breaking of the bread, and we set out again, joyfully announcing his presence in a new and collaborative mission.”
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