In October 2025, the Munich School of Philosophy (HFPH) celebrated its 100th anniversary, marking a century of Jesuit dedication to philosophy, dialogue, and education. The jubilee opened with a Mass led by Cardinal Reinhard Marx, attended by Fr. Arturo Sosa, SJ, Superior General of the Jesuits. A festive academic ceremony followed, where both leaders reflected on the university’s ongoing mission. In his keynote, Fr. Sosa highlighted the role of philosophy in addressing global challenges and promoting free and responsible thinking. The celebration honored HFPH’s legacy and looked ahead to a new century of dialogue between faith, reason, and society.  

The Kircher Network General Assembly of Presidents and Deans took place in Munich on October 10–11, 2025, in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the Munich School of Philosophy — a milestone celebrated with the participation of Fr. Arturo Sosa, SJ, Superior General of the Society of Jesus. The gathering brought together leaders from Jesuit universities across Europe and the Near East to reflect on the network's shared mission and outline its next steps for collaboration and growth. Philip Geister, SJ, President of the Kircher Network, and Dr Susana Di Trolio, Executive Secretary, reported on the developments and projects carried out by the network since the last Assembly (2024) hosted by the University of Deusto. Their presentation highlighted the continuation of the Canisius Formation Program (second edition), the expansion of inter-institutional academic initiatives — such as the HEST groups on Christian and Muslim Dialogue, Secularisation in Europe, and the creation of the Group of Meaningful Learning — and progress in strengthening collaboration among member universities, led by the Group of Senior International Officers. In line with the Kircher Strategic Plan (2024 - 2028), which states that as a regional association belonging to the IAJU, the Kircher Network's mission is to strengthen academic collaboration, the Jesuit identity, and the sense of shared apostolic mission among our member institutions in all aspects of academic life, and the communities within which our institutions operate, the Assembly also focused on aligning the network Operational Plan 2026–2027 with the four global priorities — student well-being, artificial intelligence, democracy, and environmental justice — set during the IAJU General Assembly in Bogotá (July 2025). As part of these next steps, the presidents agreed to appoint delegates from their institutions to the IAJU task forces, beginning with representatives who will join the new global Task Force on Student Well-Being (Mental and Spiritual). Joseph Christie, SJ, IAJU Secretary, presented the key outcomes of Bogotá and emphasised the vital role of regional collaboration within the global Jesuit university network. Dalibor Renić, SJ, President of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials (JCEP), also attended, underlining the challenges and the Society of Jesus's new apostolic planning in Europe, as well as the expected contributions of Jesuit higher education institutions to the apostolic mission. The next Kircher General Assembly will be held at Ignatianum University in Krakow on July 6–7, 2026.

From October 21–23, 2025, the Kircher Network hosted the second edition of Canisius Formation: Identity and Mission in Jesuit Higher Education at the historic Sanctuary of Loyola in Azpeitia (Bilbao) The second edition gathers 17 participants from 10 Kircher institutions across eight countries. This year's program once again brought together faculty and staff from across the network to explore the core dimensions of Jesuit identity, spirituality, and mission in higher education. The 2025 edition included 17 participants from 10 Kircher member institutions across eight countries — Sweden, Belgium, Poland, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and Portugal. Among them, 8 were faculty members and 9 were administrative leaders. The group's diversity — with 10 women and seven men — fostered a rich exchange of perspectives and experiences throughout the sessions. We were delighted to welcome back Gonzalo Villagrán, SJ, and Pep María, SJ, who designed the program and, together with José de Castro, SJ, Philip Geister, SJ, and Susana Di Trolio, delivered the content of this year's formation experience. We also extend our gratitude to Ángel Benítez, SJ, for his insightful presentation, which greatly enriched the participants' experience; to Lidia Fioravanti for her excellent contribution to the organising committee and moderation; and to Isabella Fontana (Université de Namur) for joining Lidia in leading the engaging introductory icebreaker session. Rooted in the spirit of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the Canisius Formation continues to strengthen our shared mission and foster collaboration among Jesuit universities in Europe and beyond. As part of the follow-up phase, the group will meet again for two webinars on Ignatian Leadership: November 5, 2025 | 18:00–19:30 (CET) — Professors Ramón García and Esteban Mogas (ESADE Business School) November 12, 2025 | 16:00–17:30 (CET) — Fr. David McCallum, SJ (Discerning Leadership Program).

On 28 September - 3 October, the first edition of JECSE's IPP Formators Training programme took place, with 40 participants from Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy, Spain, Malta, Ireland, Poland and Portugal taking part in it. This training is included in JECSE's Ignatian Pedagogical Programme, which seeks to promote the use of IPP in the classroom as a tool for developing our educational apostolate. The programme has a horizon: our mission; is based on our foundations: Ignatian spirituality and spiritual exercises; and counts on a means: Ignatian pedagogy. “We have a treasure: the Ignatian style of education. IPP is the way we can better convey our teaching & learning process to provide students with quality education; it aligns with pedagogical theories, our current laws and our needs as XXI century society.” (Nadezhna Castellano and Javier Orellana, Spain A Formation in Two Phases: Online and Face-to-Face The formation included online activities as well as a face-to-face training week. During the online phase, from June to September 2025, participants worked with some of the key documents for our educational work: The Characteristics of Jesuit Education, Jesuit Education aims to Human Excellence: Men and Women of Conscience, Competence, Compassion and Commitment and Ignatian Pedagogy, A Practical Approach; they analysed the relationship between Ignatian spirituality and pedagogy and attended a workshop entitled: IPP as a tool for mission, in which they visualised spaces for developing Ignatian mission and spirituality within the curriculum/teaching practices. On 28 September, we all gathered at Seminário de S. Paulo de Almada, near Lisbon, to begin the face-to-face training led by Father Johnny Go and Miss Ritta Atienza, authors of the book: Learning by Refraction: A Practitioner's Guide to 21st-Century Ignatian Pedagogy.  "I am particularly grateful for the opportunity to learn from the best experts in the field and the opportunity to undertake this training journey with other Ignatian school teachers with whom, despite being at different stages, we share common goals.” (Luís Esteves, Portugal) Objectives and Hands-On Learning During this week, participants were able to: Deepen their knowledge of Ignatian pedagogy. Practise strategies, dynamics and resources to promote reflection in the classroom. Know service learning methodology as a way of promoting Ignatian action. Practise some tools to train other colleagues and adults. The goal was for them to acquire expertise in designing training on Ignatian pedagogy so that they can be formators in their own schools, foundations and provinces, thus expanding the scope of the programme and the number of students and schools that can regularly use Ignatian pedagogy in the classroom.  Putting Learning Into Practice The highlight of the training came when participants were able to put into practice the workshops designed during the week. To this end, we had the precious collaboration of Colégio São João de Brito, in Lisbon.  After visiting the beautiful city of Lisbon, we arrived at the school, where we witnessed inspiring projects that teachers carry out with their students. After that, nearly 100 teachers participated in our workshops on promoting students' reflection and action. We would like to thank the school staff for all their support during the training week and the teaching staff for their enthusiastic attitude during the workshops.  The fruits of this training process are very rich: a strong feeling of gratitude, personal growth, deep learning experience, sharing and working as a team…and a sense of community that will surely endure over time... “This training has made me feel part of a single community with a shared educational mission.”  (Mª Luisa Rosety, Spain) “I saw for the first time how large our Jesuit network is and how many interesting things are happening in other schools.” (Paweł, Poland) Many thanks to all those who participated in and promoted this formation experience.   Yolanda Baquero López  JECSE's Ignatian Pedagogical Programme Coordinator

The Provincial Safeguarding Representatives of the European Conference held their third in-person meeting in Rodizio, Lisbon, from 28th September to 2nd October. We gathered at the Casa de Exercícios de Santo Inácio (St Ignatius’ House) and spent 4 days and nights sharing experiences, challenges and best practice from our safeguarding work throughout the year.  There was a special focus this year on the topic of Spiritual Abuse. Research currently being conducted within the Spanish Province was shared with us, along with an external academic expert  facilitating our sessions for half a day, after which we discussed our common understanding and commitment towards countering the issue of Spiritual Abuse through creating safer environments within the Society of Jesus.  The Safeguarding Delegates from each of the 15 provinces which were represented gave input into positive and promising safeguarding initiatives they have been involved in over the course of the year. Just as in previous years, we found great benefits in spending time together in person to discuss individually and in a group the various issues we face within the Society, highlighting practical solutions whilst respecting the confidentiality of everyone involved.   There was a return also to the topic of the PCCP (Promotion of a Consistent Culture of Protection) Online Training Programme, which had completed its pilot phase across Europe between the months of February and April of this year, with input, reflection and an introduction to the next phase given by Fr. John Guiney and Dr. Sandra Racionero-Plaza. We were delighted also to have with us the Director of JECSE (Jesuit European Committee for Primary and Secondary Education), Agnieszka Baran, who gave us an overview of feedback on the programme by a cross section of participants which will help shape the programme going forward. A special thanks to the Portuguese Province for inviting and hosting us this year, and to the steering committee for the time spent in preparing this event: Tomaž Mikuš SJ. (SVN), Julie Ashby-Ellis (BRI) and especially a big thank you to Sofia Marques (POR) for the amazing work put into organising the logistics of the event and for making the experience a truly unifying and memorable occasion. A big thank you (and welcome) to the new JCEP Socius, Gonzalo Villagrán SJ., for his warm presence and expert facilitation and input throughout our meetings.  We are especially grateful for the opportunity to visit Fátima and to have some moments for private prayer and reflection, and a wonderful Mass to energise and inspire us as we continue forward in our joint mission.  Brian Cranmer Safeguarding Coordinator JCEP.

Father General has appointed Fr Bernhard Bürgler as the new Regional Assistant for Central and Eastern Europe. He takes over from Fr Tomasz Kot who has served in this role for the past years. Fr. General's Regional Assistants are advisers to Fr. General who accompany the life and development of a set of Provinces, usually connected geographically or culturally. In this sense the Provinces that conform the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials in Europe and the Near East are distributed in three Assistancies: Western Europe (EOC), Southern Europe (EMR), and Central Europe (ECO). Born in 1960 in Lienz, Austria, Fr Bürgler joined the Society of Jesus in 1991 after studying philosophy and theology. Following his novitiate in Innsbruck, he earned a doctorate in pastoral theology from the University of Innsbruck and completed training as a psychoanalyst. Ordained a priest in 1997, he served as a spiritual director at the Collegium Canisianum and worked as a psychotherapist in Innsbruck. In 2004, he completed his Tertianship in Australia. From 2004 to 2008, he was the director of the retreat centre Haus Gries in Germany. After that, he headed the department of spirituality and exercises at Kardinal König Haus in Vienna from 2008 to 2014. From 2014 to 2021 he served as Provincial of the Austrian Province, and from 2021 to 2024 as Provincial of the newly established Central European Province. After a sabbatical year, he returned to Innsbruck, where he has been active in spiritual accompaniment and retreat counselling. Fr Bürgler takes up his new role as Regional Assistant for Central and Eastern Europe on 1 July 2026.