The Society of Jesus has designated Loyola University Chicago as the new home for the Discerning Leadership Program (DLP) which provides leadership formation, accompaniment and resources for senior Church leaders.

Loyola University Chicago will henceforth steward the expansion of the program, leveraging on its reputation as a Jesuit institution with experience in adult formation and global partnerships.

For Fr David McCallum, SJ, executive director of the DLP, the question at the core of the program is not how to lead an organization, it is rather “How do I become a discerning leader?”

“While experience, education, and skills are essential, true leadership requires cultivating interior self-awareness and spiritual maturity”, Fr McCallum said. “I may have a strong vision or a particular way of seeing the world, but if I don’t have the interior freedom to understand those perspectives and set them aside to embrace others, I won’t be a truly effective leader.”

Forming discerning leaders

Since the launch of the DLP in 2019, more than 1,000 participants have signed up for the program. While the DLP will continue to be based in Rome, it aims to expand its worldwide reach, recruiting both faculty and church leaders to its training programs, which moves leaders from individual reflection to organizational action through three primary pillars:

• Residential programs in Rome – Cohorts of 25-30 leaders delivered in two stages: Module 1 focuses on personal interiority and spiritual maturity, while Module 2 covers interpersonal and organizational capacities like team building and conflict management.

• Online and international formats – Tailored for leaders in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. These are often held in collaboration with congregational leadership associations, and the sessions offer simultaneous translation to meet regional needs.

• Ongoing accompaniment – Leadership formation that extends beyond the initial modules through coaching and community networks, helping leaders translate their learning into practice within their own local communities.

Looking ahead, Fr McCallum is optimistic that this the combination of Loyola’s global reputation and the DLP’s strong foundation will “plant the seeds” for leaders who can spark synodal renewal within their own communities.

Upon completion of the program, he notes that leaders will be prepared to embody service-oriented leadership that is rooted in prayerful discernment, foster collaborative decision-making and synodality within complex institutional structures, and support organizational renewal by balancing spiritual wisdom with practical administrative competence.

“As this program grows and spreads, we’ll remain rooted in our mission: integrating spiritual formation and personal growth so leaders can serve more effectively in a world that needs listening, dialogue, and shared responsibility”, Fr McCallum said.