Within the framework of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials, collaboration among Jesuit works across Europe is a key dimension of strengthening a shared apostolic mission. In this context, the network of Jesuit Social Centres, dynamized by the Jesuit European Social Centre (JESC) plays a vital role in analysing social realities, promoting justice, and fostering dialogue between faith and contemporary European societies. Bringing together centres from across the continent, this network contributes to the mission of the Society of Jesus by combining research, formation, and social engagement. Their annual meeting offers an important opportunity to deepen collaboration, reflect on common priorities, and discern how best to respond—together—to the evolving challenges facing Europe today. The following article, brought to us by Istituto Arrupe in Palermo (hosts of the event) highlights the most recent gathering and offers a glimpse into the ongoing commitment of these centres to work as one apostolic body at the service of a more just and reconciled Europe. From 21 to 25 April, the Istituto Arrupe hosted the annual meeting of the directors of Jesuit Social Centres in Europe. The gathering forms part of a wider international network linking centres across the continent—from Dublin to Brussels, from Madrid to Lisbon—committed to ongoing dialogue, the exchange of good practices, and the development of joint initiatives. The meeting offered a valuable space for shared reflection among the centres, as they considered their role within the broader social apostolate of the Society of Jesus and engaged with the key challenges shaping contemporary Europe. One of the highlights of the week took place on Wednesday, 22 April, when participants visited the Istituto Arrupe, where they were welcomed by its director, Gianni Notari. The visit provided an opportunity to revisit the Institute Arrupe’s history, its deep roots in the local context, and its longstanding contribution to the cultural and civic development of Palermo. Particular attention was given to the legacy of key figures such as Bartolomeo Sorge and Ennio Pintacuda, whose intellectual and social engagement accompanied the city through one of the most challenging periods of its recent history. Recalling the years marked by mafia violence in the 1980s and 1990s, the presentation also highlighted the process of civic and cultural renewal that led to the so-called “Spring of Palermo.” Following the presentation, participants visited the premises of the Istituto Arrupe, gaining first-hand insight into its ongoing educational, cultural, and research activities. The day continued with a visit to the Centro Astalli Palermo, engaged in welcoming and supporting vulnerable communities through the work of staff and volunteers. Another significant stop was the Church of the Gesù, known as the Casa Professa, a symbolic site of Jesuit presence in the Sicilian capital. In the days that followed, the meeting continued in Baida, where participants addressed a range of strategic questions. Discussions focused in particular on how Jesuit social centres in Europe can contribute more effectively to the mission of the Society of Jesus, while maintaining a strong link between research, formation, and social engagement. Among the topics explored was the current socio-political situation in Italy—and especially in Sicily—presented by Antonio La Spina, former professor at LUISS Guido Carli. His contribution offered a nuanced analysis of ongoing transformations, equipping participants with valuable tools to better understand and contextualise the challenges facing the region. The Palermo meeting thus proved to be an important moment of international exchange, reflection, and renewed collaboration among Jesuit social research centres in Europe. It reaffirmed a shared conviction: that building a more just society requires dialogue, formation, and the ability to read the signs of the times with critical insight.

The Tertianship programme in Salamanca – one of the three Tertianship programs offered in the space of the Conference of Provincials –  has come to an end, marking a significant مرحلة of formation in the life of the Society of Jesus. The closing days, held from 22 to 26 March, were lived in a spirit of gratitude, communion, and renewed commitment to mission. During the farewell Mass, the instructor, Luis María García Domínguez SJ, encouraged the participants to embrace their vocation within the apostolic body of the Society. Highlighting the importance of working not only together but in true communion, he reminded them that shared mission is a powerful witness: when lived in unity, the fruits of apostolic work are multiplied. A Time of Integration and Discernment Over recent months, twelve Jesuits from nine different countries have taken part in this final stage of formation—known as Tertianship. This period offers a privileged time to revisit one’s life and vocation in the light of Ignatius of Loyola, engaging deeply with Jesuit sources such as the Constitutions, letters, and the history of the Society. The programme also included an intensive experience of the Spiritual Exercises, as well as pastoral ministries, community life, and ongoing discernment. These elements together form what is often described as a “school of the heart”, shaping both the interior life and apostolic availability of the participants. Sent Forth in Mission The final week provided space for personal and communal evaluation, including meetings with the Provincial, Enric Puiggròs SJ, and a retreat to reflect on the experience of mission and the path ahead. As the programme concludes, the tertians return to their respective provinces, ready to be more fully incorporated into the Society and sent on mission. While geographically dispersed, they remain united by the bonds formed during this time and by a shared commitment to serve Christ’s mission with renewed generosity. Currently there are three Tertianship programs offered in the territory of the Conference: the program in Salamanca offered by the Province of Spain and with a strong international character, a biannual program offered by the polish provinces for Polish Jesuits in Gdynia (Poland), and the program directly offered by the JCEP in Bikfaya (Lebanon)

The Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Arturo Sosa SJ, has appointed Tomasz Kot SJ as Delegate for Interprovincial Houses and Works in Rome. He will take up this new role on 6 September 2026, succeeding Johan Verschueren SJ. Fr Kot has been serving as Regional Assistant for Central and Eastern Europe, a role that also includes membership in the General Council. Following the usual consultation process, the Superior General has confirmed him in this position beyond 1 July 2026, ensuring continuity until his successor, Bernhard Bürgler SJ, assumes office as Regional Assistant and General Councillor. Born on 3 January 1966 in Lublin, Fr Kot entered the Society of Jesus in 1985 after beginning studies in psychology at the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin. Following his novitiate in Gdynia, he studied philosophy in Kraków and later completed pastoral work in Toulouse. He pursued theological studies in Paris before continuing at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he obtained a doctorate in biblical theology in 2001. His academic work focused on the Letter of James, reflecting a longstanding engagement with Scripture. Ordained a priest in 1996 at the Shrine of St Andrew Bobola in Warsaw, Fr Kot went on to serve in academic and editorial roles, including as lecturer in biblical theology and editor-in-chief of Przegląd Powszechny. He also held leadership responsibilities within the Jesuits in Poland, serving as Provincial of the Greater Poland–Mazovia Province from 2009. In recent years, he has been closely involved in supporting the mission of the Society of Jesus across Central and Eastern Europe. His new appointment in Rome reflects both his extensive experience and the trust placed in him by the Superior General.

Superior General Arturo Sosa has convoked the 72nd Congregation of Procurators, bringing representatives from across the Society of Jesus to Indonesia in October 2027. The gathering will examine how the Society’s structures must be reshaped to carry its mission forward – and vote on whether to call for a General Congregation, the highest governing body of the order. “The Society of Jesus has continued to live out the process of allowing itself to be guided by the Holy Spirit”, Father Sosa writes in a letter to major superiors, “in order to respond more effectively to its mission of reconciliation and justice.” The congregation begins on the afternoon of 11 October 2027 and is expected to last approximately six days. Delegates are asked to arrive by 6 October for days of retreat together, a time Father Sosa says to “scrutinize more deeply the signs by which the Holy Spirit is guiding the Society” before deliberations begin. he most recent Congregation of Procurators was held in Loyola, Spain, in 2023, and before that in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2012. Meeting in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, continues this global pattern – situating this moment of discernment within a region where the Church is growing, and living and working in a richly diverse, multifaith society is an everyday reality. In preparation for the congregation, each Jesuit province is to hold an assembly to elect a Procurator and assess the state of Jesuit life and mission in its context; regions and missions that are not full provinces designate a Relator for the same purpose. The elected Procurators and Relators must submit their reports to the Jesuit Curia by 1 March 2027. From receiving a mission to organising for it Since the 36th General Congregation in 2016, the Society has been working to clarify where it is called to serve and how it needs to be organised to do so. In its decree on governance, that congregation named discernment, collaboration and networking as the lenses through which the Society should examine its governance, noting that “attention to these perspectives helps to streamline governance and make it more flexible and apostolically effective.” In the years since, that work has been carried forward through the Universal Apostolic Preferences (2019-2029) – global priorities that emerged from a two-year process of discernment across the Society, confirmed by Pope Francis and reaffirmed by Pope Leo XIV. These have guided Jesuit life and work across the world: showing the way to God through the Spiritual Exercises and discernment, walking with the poor and excluded, accompanying young people, and caring for our common home. Having named those priorities, Father Sosa now turns to what needs to change in how the Society is organised to carry out its mission, calling for “the adaptation of its forms of apostolic governance and the necessary renewal of apostolates.” To ground that reflection, delegates elected by their provinces are asked to visit communities and apostolic works in their region and report on what they observe, with particular attention to how these three lenses are shaping the Society’s work in practice across its ministries, among them schools and universities, ministries to refugees, parishes and retreat houses, as well as communications, research and interreligious dialogue. This pattern of local visits and listening before coming together as a body to deliberate has long been part of the Society’s way of proceeding ahead of a Congregation of Procurators, and it reflects the synodal approach now at the heart of the Catholic Church’s renewal. Synodality, collaboration and inclusion Synodality – a way of proceeding marked by listening and shared responsibility – was central to Pope Francis’s pontificate. Pope Leo XIV has made clear it remains a priority for his papacy, calling for more agile, transparent, inclusive and accountable structures and ministries, responsive to the Gospel. Father Sosa takes up that call within the life of the Society, asking in his letter convoking the congregation: “How do we live synodality in the Society and how can we contribute to the growth of a synodal Church?” He also raises concrete questions about how responsibility is shared in the Society, including what it means in practice to share mission with lay partners, asking: “What is the specific contribution of the collaboration of women in the life and mission of the Society of Jesus?” and “How are we integrating the participation in the apostolates of the Society of believers of other religions or non-believers?”

As a network committed to justice, ecology, and the European dimension of the Jesuit mission, JCEP closely follows how the Society of Jesus implements its apostolic priorities across the continent allowing these priorities to be developed with a more universal scope than the more local provincial approach. One important expression of this is the growing collaboration around the fourth Universal Apostolic Preference—“Caring for Our Common Home”—inspired by Laudato Si’ of Pope Francis. Across Europe, Jesuit Provinces have appointed Eco-delegates—Jesuits and lay collaborators tasked with promoting ecological conversion in communities and institutions. Since 2022, these delegates have met regularly at European level, coordinated by the JCEP Secretary for Social Apostolate, presently Filipe Martins SJ, to share experiences and coordinate efforts. Their work increasingly includes concrete initiatives such as sustainability training, energy transition in buildings, and more responsible practices in areas like food and travel. From 17 to 21 March 2026, this network gathered in Portugal at Casa Velha, an ecological and spiritual project near Ourém. Bringing together twelve participants in person and others online, the meeting provided an opportunity to exchange developments across Provinces—several of which now have dedicated teams working on ecological transition. While change is often gradual, shared experiences show that it is both possible and transformative, with initial resistance often giving way to genuine commitment. Casa Velha itself offered a powerful setting for this reflection. Rooted in simplicity, local food, and close contact with nature, it embodies the vision of Laudato Si’. Through shared prayer, daily life, and activities such as a nature drawing workshop, participants experienced firsthand what ecological conversion can look like in practice. Beyond personal lifestyle choices, the group reflected on ecological conversion as an urgent matter of justice. Environmental degradation is already affecting millions worldwide, particularly in the Global South, through extreme heat, droughts, and increasingly frequent climate events. In this context, the call is clear: to contribute—together with others, believers and non-believers alike—to a socio-economic transformation that promotes sustainable living and ensures that no one is left behind. As Pope Francis reminds us, “either we are saved together, or we all perish.” Encounters such as this one show that the path toward that shared future, while demanding, is also hopeful—and even joyful. Filipe Martins SJ European Secretary for Social Justice and Ecology

Recently, a situation arose that required urgent collaboration between two Jesuit networks under the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials (JCEP)—JECSE and JRS Europe—to provide a swift response to a dramatic human crisis. The case involved Joseph, a native of Lagos, Nigeria, who entered Ireland as a migrant and was studying at a Jesuit school in Dublin. We wish to share this experience with our readers, as we believe it demonstrates the vital role and capacity of Jesuit networks as apostolic instruments for the protection and promotion of human dignity, as well as the value of the JCEP level of apostolic agency as a way to coordinate effectively those international efforts. Although we know that we belong to a larger network of Jesuit works, the word “network” can often feel vague and abstract. What does it really mean to be part of a network? We know the numbers: more than 200 Jesuit schools in Europe and nearly 1,000 worldwide. We are also aware that the Society of Jesus carries out many different missions—parishes, retreat houses, social centres, universities and work with refugees through the global network of Jesuit Refugee Service. Yet most of the time, this vast reality remains something we know about, rather than something we tangibly experience. Educate Magis map of Jesuit Schools and Universities When the Network Becomes Real From time to time, however, moments arise when the network becomes real—visible, concrete, and deeply human. These are moments of encounter, of accompaniment, of what in the Ignatian tradition we would call Cura Personalis—care for the whole person. The story of Joseph, which we share here, is one such example.  Joseph was a student at Gonzaga College SJ in Dublin. As an immigrant, he received a scholarship and quickly distinguished himself as an excellent student—curious, committed, and full of promise. Yet despite his integration and achievements, his family’s application for residency was rejected, and they were deported back to Africa (the whole story of Joseph, written by his teachers). Just like the Holy Family, who were forced to cross borders, Joseph’s family arrived in South Africa but were refused entry; they were held in a detention centre until they were eventually deported back to Lagos, in Nigeria. This decision meant that the family had to leave with nothing but the clothes on their backs, enduring an ordeal that lasted almost a week and covering a distance of over 13,500 km.  At that moment, Joseph did not remain alone. Thanks to the regional office of Jesuit Refugee Service Europe in Brussels and the support of Fr Alberto Ares SJ, contact was immediately established with Jesuit partners in Africa. Even though it was a Saturday evening, the director of JRS South Africa answered the call without hesitation. She reached out to Joseph’s family and began exploring how support could be offered upon their arrival. As she said simply: “For us, there are no weekends when it comes to helping—this is our mission.” This is Ignatian networking in action. It is not planned, not programmed, and not limited by structures. It is a readiness to respond—sentir con la Iglesia, to feel with the Church and with those who suffer, and to act promptly where the need is greatest. It is a form of apostolic availability rooted in discernment: seeing where God is already at work and choosing to collaborate. A Deeper Understanding of Mission Today, Joseph and his family are in Nigeria. Yet the story does not end there. The global Jesuit network continues to accompany him, seeking ways for him to continue his education in his home country. As one reflection beautifully expresses it: “though Joseph is now in Lagos, he remains a child of our global Ignatian family. We may have lost him to a border, but we must not lose him to the cracks of a broken system. He still dreams of becoming a scientist. He still hopes to change the world. And perhaps, together, we can ensure that he still has that chance”. This invites us into a deeper understanding of mission. In the Ignatian tradition, we are called to serve also through accompaniment— to walk with others, especially at moments of uncertainty and transition. Networking, in this sense, becomes a form of shared discernment and shared responsibility. It is about recognizing that the mission entrusted to us is always communal and universal. No One Left Alone The strength of Jesuit networking lies precisely here—in these quiet, often unseen acts of solidarity. Joseph’s story is only one among many, most of which unfold silently and without recognition. We see this in communities affected by conflict, war, and instability, where our colleagues and students continue to teach, learn, and hope even in the most fragile circumstances. We encounter it in the daily generosity of educators who go beyond what is required, in moments of accompaniment that will never be recorded, and in the shared commitment to forming young people as global citizens—aware of their responsibility for others and for the world. At the same time, through our brothers and sisters at JRS, we are part of a family that accompany, serve and advocate for the rights of migrants and refugees, placing human dignity at the heart of our work, in over 50 countries and serving 1 million displaced people in dire need every year.  These stories rarely make headlines, yet together they reveal something profound: a network that does not disappear when borders close, when systems fail, or when circumstances become difficult. A network that remains present, attentive, and faithful. They remind us that we are not isolated institutions, but part of a living, global body. And in that body, each person matters. Each story matters. And no one should ever be left alone.