NEWS

Portuguese Jesuits gather in Cernache for a conversation about the various tensions evident in contemporary culture relating to the themes of affectivity, and identity. Between September 5 and 7, about thirty Jesuits met at Quinta da Esperança—a multipurpose space of the Society of Jesus near Coimbra, primarily dedicated to youth pastoral work—for a conversation about the tensions evident in today’s culture related to the body, affectivity, and identity. Jesuits of different ages and at various stages of formation shared their main concerns and the paths of hope they envision, creating a confluence of perspectives and aspirations. From early Saturday morning until the conclusion of the meeting on Sunday, the atmosphere was one of open and frank dialogue on a wide range of anthropological and ecclesiological issues: from the biblical foundations that reveal “who the human being is,” to the scope of redemption; from the experience of the sacraments, to the importance of ongoing study of the present moment. Throughout the various interventions, confidence was repeatedly expressed in the goodness and richness of the Catholic proposal—one that must continually be presented as a path to a beautiful life, articulated clearly while embracing its complexity. Participants also emphasized the importance of nurturing this kind of dialogue throughout the year and the need to accompany those around us with care. At the end of the three days, there was consensus on the desire to hold similar gatherings in the future, coupled with the conviction that many themes remain to be explored that could bring the Jesuits of the Portuguese Province together again.

The national congress of the Christian Life Community (CVX) in France was held in Strasbourg from 12 to 14 July 2025, under the theme ‘Peacemakers, at the crossroads of the world, come to the source’. This event brought together 2,300 CLC members from France and neighbouring countries in a city symbolic of reconciliation and intercultural dialogue. Objectives of the congress Participants were invited to reflect on the complexity of peace in our societies and to meet those who bring it to life on a daily basis. They were also encouraged to become agents of peace in their own environments. Highlights Round tables and testimonials: 150 groups met with people committed to peace, from associations, businesses, collectives, trade unions and spiritual movements. Catholic Church in France Practical experiments Workshops enabled participants to engage in concrete, practical experiences to deepen their understanding and action in favour of peace. Spiritual interventions Prayer sessions were organised, notably in connection with the digital portal for Ignatian spirituality, ‘Prie en chemin’ (Pray on the Way) Commitment of the Jesuits Father Hervé Le Houérou, a Jesuit, celebrated his six years as national assistant to the CVX. He expressed his gratitude for this fruitful companionship in the service of a community that contributes to the future of the Church. He was replaced by Father Xavier Roger, also a Jesuit, former national chaplain of the Eucharistic Youth Movement (MEJ). jesuites.com Summary of the congress At the end of the congress, a team of five people offered a summary of the discussions, emphasising that: Peace is not a static state, but a paschal process, a call to go through conflicts, to conversion, to harmonise as in a dance. It arises from silence, prayer, assiduousness to the word, and an inner work of peace with oneself and with others. It is a gift from God, a source of hope, even in the midst of tensions. It is essential to love our enemies and to believe that authentic and lasting peace is possible.  

On 6 September 2025, Jesuit Archbishop Eduard Profittlich (1890–1942) will be beatified in Tallinn, Estonia. Profittlich, who served as Apostolic Administrator and later Archbishop of Tallinn, is remembered for his tireless pastoral work, deep faith, and courageous witness during the turmoil of Soviet occupation. Born in Birresdorf, Germany, Profittlich entered the Society of Jesus in 1913 and was ordained in 1922. Gifted with languages and devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, he carried out pastoral ministry in Germany and Poland before being sent to Estonia in 1930. Just a year later, Pope Pius XI appointed him Apostolic Administrator of the small Catholic community in the country, where he worked to strengthen parishes, foster ecumenical relations, and care for families and young people. He became Archbishop in 1936, choosing as his episcopal motto fides et pax — “faith and peace.” When Soviet forces occupied Estonia in 1940, Archbishop Profittlich was urged to return to Germany. Instead, after a long process of prayer and discernment, he chose to remain with his flock, writing that “it is only right that the shepherd should be with his flock, sharing their happiness and their misfortune.” Arrested by Soviet authorities in June 1941, he was tortured, accused of espionage, and sentenced to death. He died in prison in Kirov, Russia, on 22 February 1942, before the sentence could be carried out. The beatification ceremony will be celebrated by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, Archbishop Emeritus of Vienna. The Mass will take place in Tallinn’s Freedom Square (Vabaduse väljak), at the heart of the Estonian capital. The beatification will be a moment of joy for the Catholic Church in Estonia, for the Society of Jesus, and for the wider Church. In a letter send out to the whole Society of Jesus this week, Fr Arturo Sosa, Superior General of the Jesuits, gave thanks for Profittlich’s life and witness, inviting Jesuits and lay collaborators to walk with faith and hope, inspired by his example. The Holy Mass will be celebrated at 9.00am (GMT) on Friday 6 September in Freedom Square (Vabaduse väljak), in the heart of Tallinn. Admission is free and open to all, with no registration required. The celebration will also be broadcast live at www.profittlich.eu Jesuits under Soviet persecution Archbishop Profittlich is one of several Jesuits who suffered under Soviet rule. Many were imprisoned, exiled, or killed during the years of repression in Eastern Europe. Among them were: Fr Stanisław Feliks SJ (1883–1942) – executed by Soviet forces during the Second World War. Fr Józef Czempiel SJ (1883–1942) and Fr Władysław Gurgacz SJ (1914–1949) – Polish Jesuits martyred under communist authorities. Fr Victor Novikov SJ (1907–1979) – a Russian Jesuit who endured long years of imprisonment and hard labour in the Gulag. Fr Walter Ciszek SJ (1904–1984) – an American Jesuit missionary arrested in 1941 and sentenced to Siberian labour camps; he survived and later bore witness to his experiences in the memoir With God in Russia. The beatification of Archbishop Profittlich stands as a recognition not only of his own sacrifice but also of the many Jesuits and Christians who remained faithful during decades of Soviet persecution.

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima last August 6th the Spanish Province published this text remembering Fr. Arrupe's experience in Hiroshima at that moment and his effort to serve all the victims of the attack. It's been 80 years since humanity discovered the limits of its self-destructive power. It was 8:15 a.m. on August 6, 1945, when an intense white light lit up the sky over Hiroshima like nothing else in history had done before. "Little Boy," the first atomic bomb , exploded . After the impact, a Spanish Jesuit climbed a hill on the outskirts of the city and beheld a devastated city engulfed in flames: this was Pedro Arrupe, priest, missionary, doctor, and, ultimately, Superior General of the Society of Jesus. That morning, the novitiate where he was a teacher ended up becoming a makeshift field hospital for burn and radiation victims. The chapel was partially destroyed, and he, along with other Jesuits, began treating the wounded who didn't yet know what type of weapon they were victims of. The world would never be the same after the nuclear bomb. Pedro Arrupe, and with him the Society of Jesus, had witnessed that. A Jesuit trained to serve Arrupe was born near Bilbao on November 14, 1907. He studied medicine in Madrid, but his path changed after a pilgrimage to Lourdes, where he witnessed physical and spiritual healings. Abandoning his studies, he joined the Society of Jesus in January 1927 . He fervently desired to be a missionary in Japan, following in the footsteps of Saint Francis Xavier. After training in several countries, as well as experiencing firsthand the dissolution of the Society in Spain, he was ordained a priest in 1936. In 1938, he was sent permanently to Japan, where he learned the language and culture, and was even imprisoned by the Japanese authorities on charges of espionage, before being appointed novice master in Nagatsuka, about seven kilometers from the center of Hiroshima. Witness of horror and sower of hope The day of August 6, 1945, began like any other, until a blinding flash tore through the sky. At 8:15, the clock stopped. A moment he would later describe in his memoirs, "This Incredible Japan," as "a shot of magnesium." Then came a dull explosion, like the roar of a hurricane, which ripped open doors, windows, and one of the walls of the chapel. And then silence . Still unaware of exactly what had happened, Arrupe, who had felt the explosion from inside the novitiate, climbed a hill. From there, he saw the unthinkable: a devastated Hiroshima, engulfed in flames and reduced to rubble. The novitiate immediately became a makeshift hospital, and the Jesuits stockpiled all the medicine and food they could. They became the point of contact for the neighborhood residents, seeking help. The wounded, skinless, burned, blind, or disoriented arrived, all seeking assistance. Many died at their hands. Many others, between 150 and 200 people, managed to survive thanks to the care they provided in those first hours, when the tragedy claimed between 70,000 and 80,000 lives. Many of the wounded didn't know what had hit them. Nor did Arrupe know for sure. But he sensed that this was something completely new. The medical world of the time was unaware of the effects of radiation, to which Arrupe and the other Jesuits were exposed and faced without knowing the consequences. Despite this, there is no trace of heroism or self-pity in his writings. Only a clean and austere testimony, like the way he treated the wounded: without spectacle, without fear, without noise. A footprint for the future of the Company Arrupe would bear witness throughout the world about his experiences in Hiroshima, seeking financial aid to rebuild the ruins and requesting Jesuit missionaries in the countries he visited. In Japan, he was elected Provincial in 1954. Respectful, attentive, always optimistic, humble, and with a sense of humor, is how Vicente Bonet , a Valencian Jesuit at Sophia University in Tokyo, described him. He met him upon his arrival in the Land of the Rising Sun in September 1960. “Arrupe had a deep concern for social issues and had to bear many crosses,” he explains, “although that doesn't diminish his great intuition.” This Jesuit firmly believes that Arrupe's messages are, if anything, more relevant today than in his time: concern for migrants, promoting justice, serving the faith, the inculturation of the Gospel, and the search for peace. Eighty years have passed since that dawn that divided time in two. Today, as the world faces nuclear threats and a migrant crisis, Arrupe's example calls us to work urgently for peace and justice. Just as Hiroshima is a symbol of memory and reconciliation today, Pedro Arrupe is remembered as a man who knew how to face horror without losing faith, communicating to the world how he transformed pain into compassion and mercy.

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 2025, with more than 20 major superiors and their socii participating. This session focused on the sensitive and complex topic of accompanying Jesuits who are accused, both during and after the process. The keynote speaker presented practices developed by the JCCU, 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 discernment, courage, and cura personalis in addressing cases of profound pain and broken trust. Participants highlighted the need to uphold 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 measures, as well as the strength of accompanying teams and companions.

EcoJesuit has launched its newest campaign, 'Letters to the Earth', inviting communities, schools, and parishes to share their voices through letters and creative reflections calling for climate justice in the lead-up to COP30, the UN climate summit taking place in Belém, Brazil from 10–21 November 2025. This is what they have to say on this topic: At the heart of this initiative is you. Everyone is encouraged to write a personal letter, create artwork, or share another imaginative response expressing your concerns, hopes, and commitments for the future of our common home. To support your participation, EcoJesuit has developed digital handbooks for different age groups. These introduce ecological and theological themes from Laudato Si’ and Laudate Deum, with reflection questions, scripture-based meditations, and real-life case studies from Jesuit ministries worldwide. The handbooks are freely available to download on the EcoJesuit website here. The initiative forms part of the wider Jesuits for Climate Justice: Faith in Action at COP30 campaign. This global mobilisation is calling on world leaders to: - Cancel the debts of poorer countries - Ensure a just transition to renewable energy - Adopt sustainable, agroecological food systems

The Catholic Media Association has awarded a film produced in Poland by Jesuit Refugee Service USA, which tells the story of Ukrainian refugees in that country. The production received first prize in the category of social justice issues. The film offers a poignant portrayal of the challenges faced by Ukrainian refugees and the solidarity extended by the Polish community. The documentary features firsthand accounts from refugees, volunteers, and JRS Poland staff, led by director Dariusz Michalski, providing an intimate look into their experiences and the humanitarian response Catholic Media Awards Recognition The Catholic Media Association's annual awards celebrate excellence in Catholic media across various categories. The "Best Video – Social Justice Issues" category acknowledges productions that effectively raise awareness and inspire action on social justice topics. This year's award underscores the film's powerful storytelling and its contribution to fostering understanding and compassion for refugees. Impact of the Film The documentary has been instrumental in shedding light on the plight of Ukrainian refugees and the efforts of JRS in providing essential services such as shelter, education, and psychosocial support. By capturing the human stories behind the crisis, the film has mobilized support and advocacy for displaced individuals, aligning with JRS's mission to accompany, serve, and advocate for refugees worldwide.

MAGIS Mission – Not Just to Serve, but to Befriend In July, six students from Kaunas Jesuit Gymnasium (Kaunas, Lithuania), accompanied by pastoral coordinator Asta Krasauskaitė and chaplain Fr. Eugenijus Markovas SJ, experienced a month rich with the tastes, sounds, and scents of Africa. The MAGIS mission team spent nearly a month in rural Kenyan villages, volunteering in schools and hospitals, and immersing themselves in the daily lives of local communities. One participant, Medeina Kuprytė, shared that integrating into everyday life in Africa was not difficult, as many aspects had been discussed in preparation for the experience. The lack of electricity or hot water did not surprise or unsettle her. What brought her the most joy were the children she taught English or simply met in the village. At first, communicating with 3–5-year-old “students” was challenging, but with the help of teacher Veronica, she gradually taught them to sing numbers in English, pronounce sounds in both English and Swahili, and even play a traditional Lithuanian game, Jurgeli Meistreli: "It was especially beautiful to see that, although the children had no idea who Jurgelis Meistreli was, they quickly embraced the game and even started singing the words themselves." Medeina recalled slowly gaining the trust of the village children. On one occasion, she and her friend Dorotėja helped carry water to the children’s homes. She fondly remembers the warm moments of farewell: "The most beautiful moment of the mission for me was the day of parting with the people of Lenkisem village, when my best friend Rhonest came to see us off with the T-shirt, bracelet, and ball I had given him. It was wonderful to see that the love and attention I had given him were appreciated, and that little angel, who until recently was a stranger, was now smiling at me." Pastoral coordinator Asta Krasauskaitė emphasized that the MAGIS mission revealed glimpses of the Kingdom of Heaven through many experiences: through the generosity of Lithuanians donating to build a chapel, through the participants’ willingness to serve the rural community and generosity in buying shoes and toys for children from their own savings—or even giving away their own clothes—and through the warm hospitality of Lenkisem parishioners. Despite the evident poverty, Asta views the MAGIS mission with hope: "These are just seeds of the Kingdom of Heaven, just the beginning, God’s gift of the start of His Kingdom among us…" A special highlight this year was the construction of a chapel in Engonyangalani village. Its solemn inauguration was celebrated with Mass, traditional dances, and hymns. As Asta observed, it felt as though God Himself had entered that humble chapel, reminiscent of the stable in Bethlehem.

From July 8 to 10, the Educsi Educational Meeting was held at the University of Deusto (Bilbao). EDUCSI is the apostolic Sector of the Province of Spain for primary and secondary education. EDUCSI is composed of different educational foundations gathering the different schools of the province. This biennial meeting, in its 36th edition, brought together more than 300 leaders and educators from the network of Jesuit schools from the Province of Spain and Portugal (the schools from the Portuguese Province also participated in the meeting). Under the theme “An identity that is re-created through dialogue,” this edition continued the theme of the network's recent meetings: a reflection on the identity of a Catholic school, a Jesuit school. This time, the approach was from the perspective of dialogue: “An invitation to reach out to others, to the other, to the Other,” in the words of the Jesuit Education Delegate, Jaime Badiola SJ. A conference to create identity and build mission Many questions were raised over those days: What did it mean to be a Catholic school in 2025? What did Ignatian education contribute to this historic moment? How could participants share their mission and collaborate across their differences? However, the proposal for dialogue was not intended as a minimal consensus, but rather as a profound exercise in listening, openness, and joint recreation of identity and mission. Therefore, it was addressed over the course of those days from three perspectives: identity, evangelization, and governance. Summary of the 3 days of EDUCSI Educational Conference  Day 1 – Educate is to look, understand, and commit María Luisa Berzosa FI inspired participants with the idea that truly educating means looking deeply, listening with empathy, and committing courageously. Jesuit leaders emphasized that education is relational and dialogical, not directive, stressing the need for Ignatian spirituality to engage with today’s cultural challenges rather than escape them. Day 2 – Sharing the gift in post-Christian times Fr. Daniel Huang, SJ reflected on faith in a secular and plural world—highlighting that while Christendom has ended, Christianity remains alive through humble witness. He invited educators to share faith not by wielding power, but as a gift, using Ignatian models of evangelization such as dialogue, accompaniment, and evangelizing through presence. Day 3 – An identity re-created through dialogue In the closing session, Fr. Francisco José Ruiz, SJ spoke about “discernment in common”—encouraging communities to prayerfully navigate change together, guided by the Spirit. A business leader then called for ethical and inclusive leadership in the AI era. The final message emphasized that dialogue fosters shared identity and mission rooted in Ignatian faith and adaptability. Ultimately, those days were a meeting place and much more: they also sought to revitalize and strengthen shared identity, with the hope that this momentum would have a real impact in the classroom.

On August 21–22, the 1st Global Education Symposium was held at the Ignatianum University in Krakow. The aim of this international meeting was to create a space for inspiring conversations, the exchange of experiences, and the exploration of innovative educational practices from around the world. Participants explored the challenges of contemporary education—especially in working with the youngest children. Invited world-class experts shared their knowledge, practice, and reflections on the changes taking place in preschools and schools. The event was organised by the Małopolska Centre for Teacher Training and the Ignatianum University in Krakow.

From July 6th to 13th, around 40 high school and vocational students from the two Jesuit schools in Portugal — Colégio das Caldinhas and Colégio de S. João de Brito — accepted a bold invitation. It was a call to set out on a pilgrimage — above all, an inner one — that would take them not only to Loyola and Xavier, but wherever they allowed God to lead them. This journey, already familiar within the schools, is called Caravana. Over the course of a week, students are invited to walk in the footsteps of St. Ignatius of Loyola and St. Francis Xavier, getting to know the places where these great saints began to grow — and, more importantly, beginning to trace how God is already moving within their own lives. As the days unfolded, the stories of these saints and God’s work in and through them became a mirror for the students’ own journey: a journey of self-discovery, and above all, an encounter with Jesus Christ — the One who leads them. Along the way, they discovered Christ as an inexhaustible source of love and freedom: fiery when He stirs the heart, and gentle when He offers peace amid suffering and challenge. By the end of the week, a deep conviction had taken root: God is at work — silently, perhaps, but powerfully — in all those who let themselves be seen by Him and place their lives in His hands. And perhaps God did not do more in Ignatius or Xavier than He is ready to do in the life of anyone who truly trusts in Him. In truth, He is already at work: 40 students accepted the invitation to discover — and indeed discovered — that Christ is alive, that He speaks, He loves, and He sets hearts free.

From July 19th to 25th, an Ignatian event for young people aged 18 to 35, called Magis Polska 2025 , is taking place in various locations across Poland. Participants are primarily students from various academic ministries run by the Jesuits. Participants began with so-called experiments, multi-day workshops designed to prepare participants for a profound experience: the presence of God "in all things." This year, there are six workshops, located in various parts of the country. "Starting with a horseback riding experiment, then sailing, then mountain biking, then ecological adventures, and culminating in a social experiment for the homeless in Warsaw's Praga district with the Missionaries of Charity," lists Fr. Paweł Sawiak, SJ. "Young people learn to cooperate for the common good and grow spiritually. Several times a day, participants pause to reflect on the present moment through meditation, examination of conscience, and Holy Mass, and share their experiences at the end of the day. Deep relationships are formed, one might even say friendships, because through involvement in various activities, the strongest bonds are forged, including those with God. The result is great joy, satisfaction with life, and a sense of profound rest. These kinds of experiences stay with people for years, especially when they are combined with the spiritual depth hidden in all things, even horseback riding or sailing." After five days of various experiments, participants will arrive in Lublin to celebrate at the Magis Festival, which will also feature a variety of experiences: group dances, city tours, sports activities, a concert, and a church service. However, the main focus of the program here will be sharing experiences from the experiments. "What more could you want?" Father Paweł asks rhetorically, explaining that "we know from previous editions of Magis that it is an experience like no other, incomparable to a pilgrimage or retreat. That is why young people in today's world are so enthusiastic about Ignatian events like Magis."

The fourth Pedro Arrupe Summer School in Forced Migration took place at Campion Hall, University of Oxford, in July 2025. The course was led by Sister Maryanne Loughry RSM (PhD), Fr Rampe Hlobo SJ, Professor Lisa Sowle Cahill, Nacho Eguizábal, and Fr Gregoire Catta SJ. It aimed to provide a formative experience for Jesuits and their partners in accompanying, serving, and advocating for forcibly displaced people. The two-week programme brought together thirteen Jesuits in formation and three religious sisters from diverse national origins and ministry contexts, many of whom have engaged in work with Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) or other Jesuit social ministries. You can watch a short video about the event on the Jesuits in Britain YouTube channel here or by clicking the video link below. Participants explored the global situation of forced displacement through social scientific insights, theological reflection on the Church’s response, Ignatian spirituality, and Catholic social teaching. Dr Hiba Salem, Pedro Arrupe Research Fellow in Forced Migration Studies, said: “What I've loved about the Pedro Arrupe Summer School is that it really brings people [together] who have been actually very much embedded in their communities for a long time from different contexts in the world.” The curriculum covered topics such as the drivers of displacement, international protection frameworks including the Global Compact on Refugees and Migration, and barriers to protection within national policies. Participants engaged with lectures, group discussions, presentations, films, and excursions. The programme included expertise from JRS leaders, Jesuit scholars at Campion Hall, the Oxford Refugee Studies Centre, Boston College faculty, and Jesuit universities worldwide. Fr Marco Tulio Gómez SJ, Director of Fe y Alegría Panama, said: “In Panama, right now, we are serving a group of deportees from the United States—none of them is from Latin America. They come from countries in Asia and Africa. So, it gives us a sense, not only of globality, but of how necessary it is to instil human dignity. You know, we're all created equal. We're all children of God. So for me, it's important to bring all that together, and also to inform and communicate, because there are good news, also, of things that Jesuits are doing in the world.” Dr Maryanne Loughry RSM, Associate Director of Jesuit Refugee Service Australia and Research Professor at Boston College, said: “The Summer School in Enforced Migration has enabled many of the JRS people to come here to Campion Hall... to live here and study, looking at how we work pastorally, how we are with the refugees, the knowledge we bring from the field to the study, so it's not just purely academic, but we bring it with a sense of knowing some of the populations and having ourselves being transformed by that experience of working in some very harsh settings.” The international makeup of participants provided a rich exchange of experiences and challenges. On successful completion of the course, including a final reflection paper, participants received a certificate from Campion Hall and JRS. The Pedro Arrupe Summer School forms part of Campion Hall’s Jesuit commitment to justice and solidarity with forcibly displaced persons worldwide, in partnership with JRS and Boston College. They also offer a Research Fellow in Forced Migration Studies. Read more about this year’s summer school here.

After over four decades of dedicated teaching, Prof. Godehard Brüntrup SJ has retired from his role at the Hochschule für Philosophie München (Munich School of Philosophy). His farewell lecture, intriguingly titled “Thank God That’s Over! – Time and the Experience of Time as a Metaphysical Problem”, might suggest he’s leaving with a smile. However, for Prof. Brüntrup, this departure carries mixed emotions — both joy and melancholy. In an exclusive interview, he explains the deeper philosophical meaning behind his lecture title and what this farewell truly signifies for him. “Thank God That’s Over!” – Time and Time Experience as a Metaphysical Problem Prof. Brüntrup’s farewell lecture is available to watch on YouTube. When asked if his time as a professor really was that difficult, he clarifies: “The title does not refer to my time at the school. It’s a reference to a historically influential philosophical text on the nature of time, originally titled ‘Thank Goodness That’s Over!’ The lecture’s subtitle is ‘Thoughts on a Metaphysical Theory of Time.’” What Is Metaphysics? Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that investigates the fundamental structures of reality and the place of humans within it. Questions such as “Does the soul exist?”, “Is free will real or are we just cogs in a cosmic machine?”, and “Does God exist?” all belong to metaphysics. Why Is Time Also a Metaphysical Problem? Because time is not just the external measure of movement we see on a clock, but also the internal experience of presence, passing, and becoming. Physics cannot fully explain this subjective experience of time since consciousness lies outside its scope. Hence, time is a problem not only for physics but also for metaphysics. Over 40 Years as a Philosophy Professor — What Will You Miss Most? “My students, first and foremost,” Prof. Brüntrup answers. “Over 40 years, I have had many, and I maintain lasting relationships with many of them beyond their studies. This connection will continue. Also, I will still teach in Germany and the US, but less frequently.” And What Will You Not Miss? “Every profession has its less pleasant aspects,” he admits. “For a university professor, that includes administrative and committee work — necessary but often tedious and draining. The increasing pressure of deadlines in recent years has also been detrimental to truly creative philosophical work. I can gladly do without that. University politics can also be exhausting and conflict-ridden, whereas philosophical thinking thrives best in quiet solitude. Like the philosopher Diogenes, who famously lived in a barrel, philosophers prefer a certain seclusion.” Do We Need More Philosophy in Society? “Not more, but better philosophy,” he says. “There is plenty of poor and ideological philosophy giving cheap answers to complex questions. What we need is good philosophy: critique of ideology, false abstractions, and simplistic solutions. Above all, we need more metaphysics, because only a well-thought-out picture of the whole can truly provide human orientation.” The Philosophical Meaning Behind “Thank God That’s Over!” Prof. Brüntrup’s lecture critiques a widespread notion influenced by Einstein’s theory of relativity — the idea that past, present, and future are equally real. This view implies that nothing is ever truly over. Even terrible events would still exist somewhere in time; a time traveler could visit Auschwitz in 1944 because it “still exists.” Prof. Brüntrup challenges this, defending the more common worldview that the past is truly over and the future does not yet exist. Although this is our normal perspective, physics seems to suggest otherwise. His lecture offers a philosophical defense of this traditional view, which is more difficult than it might appear. What Is the Underlying Philosophical Concept? His concept blends historical ideas from Leibniz and Whitehead with contemporary philosophy of mind. It holds that the world consists of present events, informed by the past, realizing a future that currently exists only as potential. The world is not a static block but a dynamic flow of becoming — everything flows, as Heraclitus famously said. What’s Next After Your Farewell to the HFPH? “I am moving from obligation to opportunity,” he explains. “I will continue teaching and researching on both sides of the Atlantic. But now, I can set my own priorities without fixed curricula or teaching hours. This brings more freedom, but certainly not a farewell to science.” Prof. Godehard Brüntrup’s philosophical journey continues, embracing the flow of change while reflecting deeply on time, existence, and the human experience.

On Thursday July 3rd, during final banquet of the Assembly of the International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU) in Bogotá, the Jesuit network of universities awarded the 2025 Canisius medal, a recognition awarded by the IAJU to those providing an extraordinary service to Jesuit Higher Education. Among those awarded is the Ignatian Spiritualty Group, a group of Jesuits from the provinces of Spain, Portugal and Euro-Mediterranean that for 25 years have been doing a systematic academic research and publishing on Ignatian spirituality with the will to renew and spread its knowledge in the Society of Jesus. This group works in the framework of UNIJES, the network of Spanish Jesuit universities, as well as the Kirche network, the European network of Jesuit higher education. In fact, it was the Kircher Network who presented the group as a candidate for the award. The Canisius medal was presented by Fr. General, Arturo Sosa, and received by Ms. Ana García-Mina, Delegate for Higher Education of the Province of Spain representing the members of the Group of Ignatian Spirituality who could not travel to Bogotá. Bogotá, July 2–3, 2025 — The International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU) gathered 328 leaders—including rectors, presidents, faculty, and lay collaborators—from Jesuit institutions around the globe for its 2025 Assembly at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá. The final day culminated in the conferral of the St. Peter Canisius Medal, honoring outstanding contributors to the mission of Jesuit higher education. Assembly Themes: Responding to Global Challenges with a Jesuit Vision Opening Call: Father General Arturo Sosa challenged participants to become “witnesses of hope, creative presences, and spaces for dialogue,” rooted in Ignatian identity. Core Freestanding Sessions: Leaders reflected on transformative priorities, including environmental justice, student well‑being, democracy, secularism, migration, and AI ethics. Best Practices Showcased: Regional institutions presented innovative models—for example, Sanata Dharma University in Indonesia promoting spirituality in a Muslim-majority context, and initiatives across Africa and South Asia integrating ecology, technology, and social inclusion. St. Peter Canisius Awardees: Service, Scholarship, & Solidarity The IAJU Assembly concluded with the awarding of the St. Peter Canisius Medal, recognizing individuals and institutions whose dedication exemplifies Ignatian mission and impact in higher education. In Europe (Kircher Network) The Ignatian Spirituality Group (GEI) of UNIJES was honored for almost 25 years of communal discernment, scholarship, and spiritual formation rooted in Ignatian values. Their major works—such as the Dictionary of Ignatian Spirituality and recent volumes compiling modern Jesuit voices—continue to serve Jesuit institutions worldwide. North America Dr. John J. DeGioia, President Emeritus of Georgetown University, recognized as the first lay leader of a U.S. Jesuit university, honored for his transformational leadership, advocacy for justice, and commitment to cura personalis. South Asia Fr. Leo D’Souza, SJ, a scientist and Jesuit educator, praised for pioneering biotechnology, establishing applied biology research in India, and integrating science, faith, and service in formation. Asia‑Pacific St. Aloysius Gonzaga Institute (SAG‑IHS) in Myanmar honored for providing holistic Jesuit education in conflict-affected and ethnically diverse settings, building peace and leadership amid challenges. Latin America The Ignatian University Leadership Program (PLIUL), with over 5,000 alumni across 16 universities in 12 countries, shaping young leaders in justice, spiritual discernment, and socio-political engagement. Africa & Madagascar Fr. Fratern Masawe, SJ, recognized for his strategic leadership in Jesuit higher education in Africa—promoting culturally rooted, globally engaged institutions aligned with Ignatian mission. A Visual Glimpse Reflections & Forward Momentum The IAJU 2025 Assembly reaffirmed a shared commitment to addressing urgent global challenges through Jesuit higher education—putting mission-driven collaboration, inclusion, and faith-rooted innovation front and center. At the same time, the St. Peter Canisius Medal ceremony offered a moment to celebrate those whose intellectual and spiritual service leads the way forward for the global Jesuit educational network. As institutions commit to taking concrete steps—such as task forces on student well-being, AI and ethics working groups, and a new IAJU Desk for Global Collaboration—the Assembly makes clear: discernment, shared mission, and concrete action must go hand in hand in the years ahead

The German Coordination Council of the Societies for Christian-Jewish Cooperation has announced that Prof. Dr. Christian Rutishauser SJ will be awarded the prestigious Buber-Rosenzweig Medal on March 8, 2026, in Cologne. The 2026 theme for Christian-Jewish cooperation is "Shoulder to Shoulder Together." A leading figure in Jewish-Christian dialogue in Europe and beyond, Prof. Rutishauser is a Jesuit priest and Judaic Studies professor at the University of Lucerne. His extensive academic and interreligious work spans institutions in Jerusalem, New York, and Switzerland. He has served as Provincial of the Swiss Jesuits and is currently a Vatican advisor on Jewish-Catholic relations.

The Annual Meeting of the Portuguese Province of the Society of Jesus took place in Portimão, in a year that also marks the 50th anniversary of the Society’s return to the Algarve. From August 27 to 29, around 75 Jesuits from across the Province gathered at the Ferragudo Social and Pastoral Center for their annual meeting, organized by the Jesuit community of Nossa Senhora da Estrada (Portimão). The central theme this year was community life. This gathering of prayer and reflection, which traditionally opens the new pastoral year, sought to deepen the link between community life and apostolic mission. It was an opportunity to give thanks for the gift of living together—sharing both life and mission—while exploring new ways of growing in this dimension, attentive to the challenges that today’s world presents to religious life. Inspired by the tradition of the “villa houses” in Jesuit formation—days marked by simplicity, fraternity, and outings in a spirit of poverty—the organizers recreated an atmosphere that fostered friendship, contemplation, and shared experience. On the second day, the Jesuits divided into three groups to learn more about the Society’s presence in the Algarve, particularly in Portimão, Mexilhoeira Grande, and Odiáxere. One group visited the village of São José de Alcalar and the parish of Odiáxere, another went up to Monchique, and a third explored the city of Silves. In each place, they met with diocesan priests and committed laypeople, listening and dialoguing about the realities and challenges of the Diocese of the Algarve, before visiting sites of cultural interest. The day concluded with a boat trip along the Algarve coast, departing from the riverside area of Portimão and sailing between the mouth of the Arade River and the open sea. All participants came together again in this symbolic gesture of communion and celebration, which fittingly crowned a meeting centered on fraternity and the rediscovery of community life as both a source and a place of mission.

On Monday, September 22, Monsignor Bernardito Auza, Nuncio to the European Union, visited the St. Benedict community, the Jesuit community attached to JCEP. He was accompanied by Monsignor Jean-Baptiste Itaruma, an officer at the nunciature who maintains regular contact with the directors of JESC and JRS Europe. The whole community was present at the dinner, given the solemnity of the occasion. The conversation was very lively. Monsignor Auza had been Nuncio in Spain immediately before coming to Brussels, and he enjoyed meeting two Spaniards (Alberto Ares and Gonzalo Villagrán) in the community and sharing memories of his time there. The Nuncio spoke particularly about his experience at the United Nations in New York and now at the European Union. In this sense, Monsignor Auza brings extensive experience with international organizations and with the Church’s presence in them. In response to our questions, he devoted a good while to sharing his views on the possibilities and challenges of the European Union and on the role the Church is playing in its development. It was striking to hear how many important informal encounters he is having with members of the European Commission and the European Parliament. Through our conversation we became more aware of how the Church is a significant actor in the European Union—not a partisan one, but one that can help different positions come together and can support the Union in integrating the natural religious dimension of social life. At another point in the conversation, Monsignor Bernardito also spoke at length with Filipe Martins and Benoît Willemaers, from the Jesuit European Social Centre (JESC), about the role of the Church in today’s ecological movement. JESC is in fact strongly committed to advocacy in favor of the care of creation. The dinner was an extraordinary one, most fitting for such an important occasion, prepared by Rosario Mattos, our cook, with the expert guidance of Benoît Willemaers.

As mentioned in a previous article, Gonzalo Villagrán (ESP) was appointed as the new socius and treasurer of JCEP. He has started his mission on July 9th, succeeding Hermínio Rico (POR). After more than a decade in the academic world, he now steps into a role quite different from his previous work. Entering into this new mission Gonzalo expresses how he still feels a bit confused assuming so many new things at the working and daily life levels, but how he also feels confirmed of the great value of the mission realizing the service it supposes. These first days have started to show him how the service as Socius deals with sustaining the structures of possibility of the mission and helping it to stay fully focus in the Lord. We wish him all the best and we all pledge to be patient with him... at least during the first 100 days.  In an interview with the Spanish Provincial Communications Office, Villagrán reflected on his hopes and challenges as he begins this new mission in Brussels.  Interviewer: How are you approaching this new stage as socius (assistant) to the president of the Jesuit Conference of Provincials in Europe and the Middle East? Gonzalo Villagrán: Well, to be honest, the past year has been emotionally intense. My assignment was confirmed several months ago—so there was time to process it, especially through prayer. What I feel most strongly is excitement and energy. A mission like this, which takes you out of your comfort zone and into unfamiliar tasks and places, I feel, kindles the deepest core of Jesuit vocation. It makes you feel more Jesuit. It invites you to put availability to the Lord’s will at the center and make other considerations secondary. Embracing it in that way energizes me and brings out the best in me. At the same time, I’m honest enough to say that some aspects scare me. It gives me a bit of vertigo because it’s such a major change compared to what I’ve been doing the past twelve years in academia. In that sense, I’ve had to grieve a bit for academic life, from which I will have to distance myself—for at least a few years. I’m also deeply grateful for the tremendous support and generosity of my parents and siblings as I embark on this geographically distant mission. I realize that what they told me when I entered the novitiate was true: ultimately your family lives your vocation with you, understanding it and making it part of their own journey as one advances within the Society of Jesus. Interviewer: What exactly will your new responsibilities be? Gonzalo Villagrán: My specific role will be as socius to the president of the Jesuit Conference of Provincials for Europe and the Middle East. "Socius" is Latin for “companion,” which is a beautiful definition of the position. A socius is a trusted secretary, a close companion to the provincial, handling much of the daily management to facilitate the provincial’s Jesuit governance. He is someone close by, helping with reflection and discernment regarding the province. But I’m not just serving a provincial in the usual sense; I’ll be the socius to the president of the Conference of European and Near Eastern Provincials (JCEP)—a governance role in the Society that coordinates mission across a supra-provincial geographic area. The current JCEP president—whom I’ll work with closely—is Fr. Dalibor Renic, a Jesuit born in Bosnia-Herzegovina from the Province of Croatia. Presently, the Society of Jesus has six conferences of provincials: Africa and Madagascar; Asia-Pacific; South Asia; the United States and Canada; Latin America and the Caribbean; and Europe and the Middle East. These conferences are relatively recent governance bodies—the JCEP’s initial steps were taken at the suggestion of Fr. Pedro Arrupe in 1972—and they bring together provincials across a broad geographic region to coordinate mission in that area. The president of each conference holds the rank of provincial, but his role is more about coordination and structuring among the various provinces than direct governance of specific apostolic works. Interestingly, JCEP is the most wide-ranging Jesuit provincial conference, as it embraces not only Europe but also Jesuit presences in North Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East—spanning from Kyrgyzstan to Portugal, and from Egypt to Sweden. In that sense, I understand my work will unfold along four main lines: managing the office of the Conference’s Curia in Brussels; organizing the conference’s provincials’ assemblies (held twice a year); participating in the president’s Consultation council for joint discernment on mission; and animating several of the existing inter-provincial working groups. Interviewer: Tell us more about your university and administrative background. Gonzalo Villagrán: My formation in the Society moved me early on into the academic world—specifically in Christian Social Thought and Social Theology. Since beginning my apostolic work in 2013, I’ve been mainly a professor and researcher in these fields, particularly focusing on Christian-Islamic dialogue.This background proved especially relevant when I was asked to strengthen—and later to direct for four years—the Andalusian Chair for Interreligious Dialogue (CANDIR) at the Faculty of Theology of Loyola University in Granada. The role was closely aligned with my doctoral research on the public presence of religions in plural societies. These years of academic work have taught me that intellectual and academic labor is a vital long-term service to mission—it allows for deep, long-range reflection that places human understanding in the service of mission. Starting in 2018, administrative responsibilities grew in importance: I became Dean of the Faculty of Theology for five years, and since 2019, Deputy Delegate for the University Sector of the UNIJES Province. Administration has proven fascinating. It’s not what one dreams of when entering the Jesuits, but as one becomes deeply involved in mission, one realizes the urgent need to manage institutions and structures effectively so that the primary task can be carried out fruitfully. It’s not glamorous, but it’s a form of service that—when lived and integrated well—deeply embodies service. I particularly highlight my six years as UNIJES Deputy Delegate. It involved building and deepening apostolic networks, a broader and more challenging managerial role than institutional governance—but incredibly beautiful because of the generosity it demands from everyone. I truly believe mission lies in network work pursued realistically and earnestly. And I think my work in the Conference of Provincials will involve much of this network-building. Interviewer: Tell us more about yourself… what are your key sources of consolation and desolation, Gonzalo Villagrán? Gonzalo Villagrán: Thank you for the interest—though I’m a bit uneasy speaking so directly about myself. I’d say my greatest consolations come from personal relationships and accompanying others on their journey with the Lord. This aspect of apostolic life in the Society has always given me deep consolation. It has manifested in my life through teaching, directing theses, forming research teams, training lay collaborators in mission, accompanying leadership teams and institutions, engaging in common discernment in networks… but all these tasks that brought consolation have a common denominator. The most paradigm example of what gives me consolation is accompanying people making the spiritual exercises. As for what I find disheartening: it's when I witness, in others or myself, a lack of vision or self-centeredness in confronting mission within networks. When a promising project or initiative falters because distrust, cost-benefit calculations, institutional wounds, or prejudices hinder collaboration—that’s deeply dispiriting. Network work requires realism, because our human condition is limited—but one is always surprised by how often non-missional considerations carry more weight than mission in discernment. I’d say that in the same way as in other areas of Christian life, network work as the best service to mission calls both for efficiency and for each person’s conversion and evangelical generosity. Interviewer: When and how did your Jesuit vocation arrive? Gonzalo Villagrán: I studied at Colegio Portaceli—the Jesuit school in Seville. I didn’t make a deliberate vocational decision in those years, but I now realize that an Ignatian environment fostered a kind of spiritual soil in me that made me feel at home within Jesuit contexts. My university years, also in Seville (I studied business administration and management), were a time of exploring various paths. In that context, I better appreciated my schooling at Portaceli and the pastoral opportunities I’d had. Some more scattered years followed, but then I got involved in faith groups at the Centro Arrupe (a faith-culture center in Seville), took part in field work and retreats… The simple pastoral presence at Centro Arrupe—with Ignatian spirituality, prayer, contact with the poor, reflection on current affairs, and sacramental life—gave me strength to consider making the Spiritual Exercises in everyday life. They fit well with my schedule and life phase. I entered the “Exercises in everyday life” without a set expectation—just wanting to learn—but the experience was powerful whenever one engaged with heart and intent. That context allowed me to face the inner question: was the Lord calling me to the Society? I don’t think I could have asked that without such a spiritual experience. The Exercises, and the setting of making choices within them, encouraged me to seek the pre-novitiate—and later entrance into the Society. I completed that month of the Exercises only a few weeks before entering the novitiate in September 1998. Since then, I have never ceased to feel confirmed in the response the Lord inspired in me at that time and in the movement the Spirit began in me through those Exercises in daily life.  

First vows, last vows, diaconal ordinations and priestly ordinations.