What began 20 years ago as an English-language initiative has grown into an international family of teams helping people pray in more than 15 languages. This year, representatives of the different language editions of Pray As You Go gathered in London to celebrate two decades of the initiative, share experiences and explore new ways of collaborating. Among them was May Naguib, representing the Arabic edition, “Fi Tareeqi Osalli” (On My Way, I Pray). Her reflection offers a glimpse into a gathering marked by prayer, cultural diversity, friendship and a shared desire to make Ignatian spirituality accessible to people around the world. We are share here this testimonial. On 8 September, Pray As You Go teams from different languages and parts of the world gathered in London for a meeting that combined collaboration with the celebration of 20 years since the launch of the English edition. Over the years, the initiative has expanded and is now available in more than 15 languages while new languages continue to join. For me, the week began with a personal celebration, as it coincided with my birthday. On the first evening, the organisers surprised me with a celebration in which participants from different countries shared food and desserts representing their cultures. It was a very special way to begin our time together. The programme opened with a workshop on the importance of donations and on sustaining and developing the ministry. The different language teams then shared their experiences, including the reach of their editions, the number of users, and the volunteers and staff involved in preparing the content. We also took part in workshops on social media, marketing, the use of artificial intelligence, and ways of deepening faith and Ignatian spirituality among young people.  The Arabic experience received a great deal of interest and warmth. I felt a genuine desire among the other teams to collaborate and offer support, which increased my gratitude for this ministry and for being part of such a large family. We also discussed new ideas for developing the service and reaching more people. One particularly meaningful moment was the participation of Fr Cristóbal Fones SJ, International Director of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network. He expressed enthusiasm about collaborating on the preparation of monthly Arabic-language content connected with the Pope’s monthly prayer intentions. His love of music was also a wonderful gift: his playing and singing during our prayer together were truly special, and I felt privileged to hear him perform live. The gathering was not limited to workshops and discussions. On the second day, we discovered London through a kind of treasure hunt, which brought me together in a team with participants from the German edition in Switzerland, as well as the Dutch, French and Cantonese editions from Hong Kong. As we explored the streets and landmarks of the city, including Big Ben, getting to know one another became much more spontaneous. Differences of language and culture became an opportunity for laughter, sharing and friendship. We took many photographs along the way, preserving memories of our time together. On the day of the anniversary celebration, we met Fr Peter Scally SJ, the person behind the original idea for Pray As You Go. We listened to the story of its beginnings: how, 20 years ago, he started working on the initiative on his own, spending long hours preparing the recordings. Others gradually joined him, and the idea continued to grow until it became what it is today. Afterwards, we took part in a Mass of thanksgiving to mark the 20th anniversary of the initiative. We were not simply present as guests, but participated actively in the celebration. I had the privilege of proclaiming one of the intercessions in Arabic before the congregation. For me, the gathering began with a celebration and ended with a celebration. At the end of our days together, we prayed and each person shared what they were taking away from the experience. When it was my turn, I summed up what I had felt through one image: “A large family speaking the same language… but in different languages.” We came from different countries, cultures and linguistic backgrounds, but we discovered once again that we belong to one mission: we pray together, learn from one another, and care for one another.  

Across Europe, Jesuit and Ignatian schools live out a shared educational tradition in remarkably diverse contexts. A recent visit to five schools in Germany by JECSE Director and JCEP Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education, Agnieszka Baran, offered an opportunity to discover how this common mission takes shape in different communities, while also highlighting the experiences, challenges and creative responses that schools can share with one another. From Berlin to Dresden, Bonn, Mainz and St. Blasien, the visits revealed the richness of Ignatian education today—and the strength that comes from being part of a wider European network united by a common vision of education, accompaniment and the formation of young people.  JECSE Director Agnieszka Baran Visits Schools of the Ignatian Network in Germany How is Jesuit education lived out today in practice? How do schools respond to the challenges of their particular contexts, and what can they learn from one another? These were the guiding questions as Agnieszka Baran, Director of the Jesuit European Committee for Primary and Secondary Education (JECSE), together with Gabriele Hüdepohl, Delegate for Schools of the Central European Province of the Jesuits, visited five schools of the Ignatian network in Germany. The journey took them to Canisius-Kolleg Berlin, Benno-Gymnasium Dresden, Aloisiuskolleg in Bonn, Maria-Ward-Schule in Mainz, and finally Kolleg St. Blasien. At each school, meetings with school leaders, teachers, students, and pastoral teams provided valuable insights into the life and mission of the school communities. While each school has developed its own distinctive profile, all are united by a shared commitment to the Jesuit educational tradition and its Ignatian roots. At Benno-Gymnasium in Dresden, the visitors were particularly impressed by the school’s culture of openness. Its modern architecture, with open learning spaces, encourages encounter, collaboration, and a variety of learning approaches. As a Catholic school of the Diocese of Dresden-Meissen, Benno-Gymnasium carries out its mission in a largely secular environment. At the same time, the school is deeply committed to international partnerships and solidarity projects. The collaboration with Jesuit Volunteers as well as the support of educational and social initiatives especially in Africa, helps students experience firsthand that global solidarity and service are integral dimensions of Ignatian education. At Canisius-Kolleg Berlin, conversations with students from the Pedro Arrupe Integrated Secondary School and members of the Ignatian Student Community (ISG) provided insights into two aspects of the college that are unique in the context of our schools. The encounters highlighted how important the sense of being seen and of belonging are for personal development and academic success, and how strongly participation and community shape the profile of both the school and the college. Particularly striking  was the way the young people actively assume responsibility in youth work and help shape the life of the college themselves. Aloisiuskolleg in Bonn presented itself as a school in a period of transformation. Meetings with the school administration, the board of the of the Ignatian School Foundation and the student representatives focused on  questions of  future development as a companion school, the implementation of cura personalis  and shared responsibility. It became clear how earnestly the school community is striving to shape change while at the same time preserving its Ignatian character as a guide for the future. Maria-Ward-Schule in Mainz offered a distinctive perspective. As one of only two girls’ schools within the European Jesuit network of schools, it combines in a unique way the educational traditions of Mary Ward and Ignatius of Loyola. The shared commitment to the holistic formation of young people, personal freedom, responsibility, and faith shapes every aspect of school life. The visitors were also impressed by the large and dedicated pastoral team, which plays an essential role in accompanying students and nurturing the school’s spiritual character. The final stage of the journey brought the visitors to Kolleg St. Blasien. As a boarding school, it occupies a special place within the network. Here, education, community life, and personal accompaniment are closely integrated. The visitors gained insight into a learning and living environment that offers young people opportunities for growth, community, and discernment far beyond the classroom. Across all five schools, one common concern emerged clearly: how to keep the question of God alive for young people today. Ignatian pedagogy is grounded in the conviction that God can be found in all things and therefore also in the experiences of everyday life. The pastoral teams spoke about their many efforts to provide students with opportunities to encounter this perspective through personal accompaniment, liturgies, retreat experiences, social outreach projects, and spaces for reflection on questions of meaning and purpose. These conversations highlighted that the spiritual dimension remains an indispensable element of Ignatian education. The aim is to help young people discover that God can be found in their own lives and that faith can offer a meaningful framework for understanding and shaping their future. The visit also demonstrated the strength of the European and Global Jesuit Network of Schools . Schools learn from one another, share experiences, and develop common responses to the challenges of our time. Despite their different contexts and priorities, they are united by the conviction that education is about more than academic achievement. It seeks to form young people who are capable of taking responsibility for themselves, for others, and for the world. For Agnieszka Baran, the journey became a vivid experience of Ignatian education in all its richness and diversity. The visits showed how each school contributes its own particular gifts while remaining part of a larger mission and community. It is precisely this combination of diversity and shared purpose that gives the Ignatian school network in Europe its unique strength.

From September 16 to 18, the first JCEP Consult of this apostolic year took place at the JCEP Office in rue des Trévires 3, Brussels. Presently, the members of the consult are Shane Daly SJ (HIB), Attila András SJ (HUN), Ronny Alessio SJ (EUM), and Gonzalo Villagrán SJ as JCEP Socius. Half the members were new in the office so there has been an important renewal in the Consult this year. The consultors met with the JCEP President, Dalibor Renić SJ, to address several issues regarding the present moment of the Conference. They were joined by Francisco José Ruiz SJ, President of the Deusto University Board of Trustees, who is facilitating the drawing of the new apostolic plan for the Conference. During this meeting, the JCEP Consult addressed different issues like a new job description for the Conference Formation Delegate, the commission on the new guidelines for Superiors and Directors of Works, healthcare solidarity among provinces, personnel needs at the Conference, the schedule of the next General Assembly, and the 2027 JCEP budget. A significant amount of time was dedicated to planning the process for drafting the 2027–2032 Apostolic Plan, which will start at the next General Assembly in Dublin in October. This process is conceived as a time of spiritual conversation and discernment in common among provincials, as was the case with the last apostolic plan. The Consult of the JCEP, like any provincial consult, is a space of discernment within a small human group where the main apostolic challenges and initiatives in the Conference are read together—seeking God’s will in them—in order to offer advice to the JCEP President. Many of these issues are then brought to the General Assembly of Provincials for confirmation and final approval. The Consult is composed of the provincials acting as moderators in each of the three Assistancies in the Conference (Western Europe, Central-Eastern Europe, and Southern Europe) plus the Socius of the JCEP, who are called and gathered by the JCEP President.

Pope Leo XIV’s visit to France from 25 to 28 September 2026 brought together hundreds of thousands of people in Paris, Lourdes and Metz. In the following reflection, Jesuit Father Daniel Régent shares some of the joy and grace he experienced during these days, and reflects on the echoes of the Gospel he witnessed throughout the visit. The article was originally published on the website of Jesuit Province of EOF (Europe Occidentale Francophone). After meeting his disciples on the mountain of Notre-Dame, the Pope came down the Champs-Élysées to reach Place de la Concorde. A great crowd was waiting for him. Small in stature, rather reserved and emotional, yet embracing who he is, he embodied the expectations of the crowd. He blessed children, showed tenderness towards a child with a disability, spoke simple and profound words, and shared the Eucharist. The crowd went home nourished, each person sensitive to the life that was stirring within them. There were 800,000 people, not counting those who were present through their televisions or social media. We are astonished by the Gospel: how can such an immense crowd be drawn and arrive before Jesus, presumably waiting for many hours? How can Jesus speak to and feed 5,000 men, not counting women and children? We look for explanations: touched, the people took provisions out of their bags and shared them. The Gospel does not explain. It communicates the mystery to those who are willing to enter into it. Explanation avoids the path that has been opened. The Gospel in XXL At the end of this week, we experienced the Gospel in XXL. At Notre-Dame, the Pope joined those who are engaged in the Church (8,000 people): “Teach us to pray.” At the Stade de France (80,000 young people), he retraced the spiritual history of France through the faces of its saints, athletes of God; the Pope helped young people to discover the deep roots of their lives. At Place de la Concorde (800,000 people), the boundaries between ecclesial sensitivities were transcended. Non-Christians had come to see. Like Zacchaeus, they were touched. In Lourdes, he recalled respect for life, especially towards the most vulnerable. He listened to victims of people involved in Church missions. Finally, in Metz, following his visit to UNESCO at the beginning of his journey, and in the presence of political leaders from beyond the usual boundaries, he spoke with vigour, as John the Baptist did on the banks of the Jordan, where he baptised. The Gospel introduces us, with simplicity, into the heart of events similar to those that the Pope’s visit allowed us to experience. Like Jesus, after each episode, he withdrew, no doubt to return to prayer and to allow the mystery that surpasses everything to speak in silence to the heart of each person. Thank you, Pope Leo, for this taste of the Gospel that you awakened in us through your visit. You led us to the right place: the events we experienced and the Gospel illuminate one another, bringing a profound joy.

We are pleased to announce the official release of the Guidelines for Formation in the European Centres of the Society of Jesus: Post-Novitiate and Theology. Approved by Father General on 13 May 2026, this important document establishes an updated framework for the future of Jesuit formation across our Conference. It is the result of dedicated work by a Task Force initiated in 2024. Replacing the previous guidelines from 2007 and 2009, this updated document goes beyond mere consolidation to introduce several vital shifts: A more consistent management model for formation centres, encouraging them to operate as an interconnected, collaborative system at the Conference level. A strengthened presence and improved communication channels between JCEP leadership and individual centres. Increased involvement and active participation from the home Provinces and Regions of our scholastics and brothers. Deepened guidance on safeguarding, synodality, life in the digital age, and ecological conversion. Clearer provisions tailored specifically to the formation of Jesuit Brothers. An updated vision for our mission within the unique cultural landscapes of Europe and the Near East, aligned with the Universal Apostolic Preferences. Distribution & Translation On September 2nd, the document was distributed to all provinces in electronic version. The JCEP office will also print a set number of English copies for direct distribution. Provinces are requested to translate the Guidelines into their local languages and make them available to all Jesuits, formation centers, and mission partners involved in the formation process—as well as sharing them broadly across their local communities. A Call to Reflection All formation centers and provincial commissions are invited to engage deeply with this document. Over the coming year, each center is asked to identify specific areas where local renewal or adjustments are needed to bring these guidelines to life. Thank you to everyone whose collaboration and active participation helped bring this vital document to fruition.

The Society of Jesus is deeply committed to fostering a culture of safeguarding. In the current Apostolic Plan of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials (JCEP), the major superiors pledged to promote this culture within their communities and works by sharing training, resources, and best practices. This commitment also includes the ongoing formation of the major superiors themselves. As the Universal Apostolic Preferences remind us, we are called to “help eliminate abuses inside and outside the Church, seeking to ensure that victims are heard and properly helped, that justice is done, and that harm is healed.” With this in mind, JCEP organized a webinar on safeguarding, held on 3 September 2026, with more than 15 major superiors and their socii participating. This session focused on the sensitive and complex topic of communications and crisis management, both externally and internally, during and after the process. The keynote speaker presented practices and experiences of the Irish Province, while three other contributors shared insights and experiences from different provinces and regions across Europe. A central theme running through all the presentations was the importance of transparency and accountability, whilst acknowledging the sensitivities and the pitfalls around communicating abuse within and on behalf of the Society of Jesus. Participants highlighted the need to uphold and prioritise justice for victims while respecting the dignity of every person, acknowledging that abuse leaves lifelong consequences for all involved. The discussions also underscored the need for superiors to have expert support, clear guidelines, and well-defined protocols in place, as well as the strength and professionalism of accompanying teams and companions.