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More than 200 people from the different movements and communities of the Ignatian family in Lyon gathered on 6 June at the Saint-Marc Centre for the first cousinade—a gathering of the “Ignatian cousins”—centred on encounter, joy and sharing. The day offered an opportunity to celebrate their shared spiritual heritage while discovering the richness of their diverse charisms and ways of serving the Church and those on the margins. The following testimony, shared by a participant and volunteer with JRS Lyon, reflects on the experience and highlights both the richness of the Ignatian family’s diversity and the importance of collaboration in strengthening its shared mission. The first “Cousinade of the Ignatian Family of Lyon” took place on 6 June at the Saint-Marc Centre. It was a wonderful gathering, with more than 200 participants. The day began with a game designed to encourage interaction among participants, allowing everyone to connect and experience a sense of community from the very beginning, in a joyful atmosphere. This was followed by a Messe qui prend son Temps, a celebration inviting people to take time for prayer and reflection, centred on the Gospel story of the widow who gave what she needed to live. A collective prayer then brought together the concerns and hopes of many participants. The celebration began and ended with a joyful procession of banners representing all the movements present. Afterwards, we shared a meal, with participants seated randomly so that they could meet and build relationships with people they did not already know. The afternoon offered a wide variety of workshops for reflection, games and sharing, each drawing on the particular “treasures” of one of the participating movements. These included a collective painting workshop with a Haitian refugee and artist supported by JRS, bibliodrama, spiritual discernment, a football activity, and a calligraphy workshop led by Dominique Gonnet, SJ, representing the Rue Sala Jesuit community and the Sources Chrétiennes. Eccleria (formerly MCC) also offered a workshop on the “treasures of work”. The day concluded with a beautiful concert of praise and poetry offered by the MEJ in the early evening. United through Christ and through service to the poor It was a festive and very convivial gathering, offering an opportunity to discover what this Ignatian family can become when the particular charism of each movement is brought into relationship with the others. As a volunteer with the JRS Lyon team, I left the gathering with the image of the Ignatian family as an immense viaduct for refugees and for all the “poor widows” of the Gospel. The Jesuit Refugee Service seemed to me like a modest railing along this bridge—something that helps people move safely and continuously from one pillar to another. The pillars of this bridge stand alongside one another, yet they are connected by Christ and by the poor, to whom Christ continually draws us. The bridge was originally built through the contribution of Ignatian religious men and women and has continued to grow through communities and movements such as the Christian Life Community (CVX), the Eucharistic Youth Movement (MEJ), Eccleria, MAGIS, the Centre for Ignatian Spirituality (CPU), and many others. The day in Lyon was therefore much more than a gathering. It was an opportunity to discover the treasures carried by each part of the Ignatian family and, above all, to recognise that these different charisms are not isolated from one another. They are connected by a common desire to follow Christ and to serve those who are most vulnerable.

We present an inspiring example and model for the work of the Jesuits across the JCEP provinces—in this case, a Portuguese Jesuit who spent most of his ministry in Timor-Leste. The Portuguese Parliament has unanimously paid tribute to Fr João Felgueiras SJ, the Portuguese Jesuit who died in Timor-Leste on 3 July at the age of 105. The motion of condolence was proposed by the President of the Assembly of the Republic, José Pedro Aguiar Branco, and was unanimously approved by members of parliament from all political parties, who then observed a minute of silence in his memory. The text, read by the Secretary of the Assembly's Bureau, highlighted Fr João Felgueiras's commitment to the people of Timor-Leste during a decisive period in the country's history. At the turn of the millennium, as Timor-Leste consolidated its independence after decades of occupation and conflict, he remained dedicated to education, social assistance and the Catholic mission. Through his long ministry, thousands of students from successive generations passed through his classrooms, where he shared not only knowledge but also the Portuguese language and culture. At the same time, his work contributed to strengthening Timor-Leste's identity and supporting the country's institutions during the difficult years surrounding the restoration of independence. Fr João Felgueiras was born in Portugal in 1921 and entered the Society of Jesus at a young age. He was sent to Timor-Leste in the 1950s, where he would spend most of the rest of his life. Over the course of more than seven decades, he became one of the most respected figures of the Catholic Church and of Portuguese cultural presence in the country. A teacher and educator by vocation, he dedicated much of his life to the formation of young people. His work extended beyond the classroom, however, encompassing social assistance, pastoral ministry and the care of communities during some of the most turbulent periods in Timor-Leste's modern history. He remained in the country through the Indonesian occupation and the violent years surrounding the independence referendum in 1999, when much of the population experienced displacement, destruction and violence. For many Timorese, Fr João Felgueiras became a symbol of perseverance and service. His long presence in the country allowed him to accompany several generations, contributing to the preservation of cultural and linguistic ties while also supporting the development of a distinct Timorese national identity. His commitment was not limited to the Portuguese-speaking community: he devoted himself to the people of Timor-Leste and to the country's social and spiritual development. His life was closely intertwined with the history of modern Timor-Leste. Having arrived during the final years of Portuguese colonial rule, he witnessed the Indonesian invasion and occupation, the struggle for independence and the birth of the independent Timorese state. Throughout these successive periods, he remained committed to education and to the service of the people, particularly the most vulnerable. The tribute paid by the Portuguese Parliament recognised not only the longevity of his life but, above all, the depth of his service. His 105 years of life and more than seven decades in Timor-Leste made him a living witness to a remarkable period of history and to the enduring relationship between Portugal and the Timorese people. The Portuguese Province of the Society of Jesus was represented at the solemn ceremony by Fr António Ary, Socius to the Provincial.

July 5 marked the 124th anniversary of the birth of Father Adolf Kajpr SJ, a Czech Jesuit priest, journalist and preacher who became a martyr of two totalitarian regimes. The Czech Jesuits are currently promoting his cause for beatification. Fr. Kajpr’s life is a witness to the suffering that the people of Europe have gone through during the 20th century, and also to the courageous role that the Jesuits played in the most difficult periods. In this sense, he is a model and inspiration for the work of the entire JCEP. Born in 1902, Adolf Kajpr grew up in difficult circumstances and experienced poverty from an early age. He later worked as a shoemaker before entering the Society of Jesus. His formation led him to the priesthood and to a particular vocation as a preacher and writer. Through his ministry, he sought to communicate the Christian faith in a way that was both clear and relevant to the challenges of his time. Kajpr lived through two of the darkest periods of 20th-century European history. During the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia, his preaching and writings openly challenged Nazi ideology and propaganda. In 1941, he was arrested by the Gestapo and imprisoned in several concentration camps, including Dachau. After the end of the Second World War, he returned to Prague and resumed his ministry and work as a writer. His freedom, however, was short-lived. After the Communist takeover of Czechoslovakia in 1948, Kajpr again became a target of the authorities because of his preaching and his criticism of the new regime. In 1950, he was arrested and sentenced to 12 years in prison on charges of treason and espionage. He spent the final years of his life in communist prisons and forced-labour camps. He died in Leopoldov prison in 1959, following a heart attack. His life thus became a powerful witness to fidelity to Christ in the face of two successive totalitarian regimes. On the occasion of the anniversary of his birth, we can recall some of Kajpr's own reflections on love and on the inspiration of Sacred Scripture. They reveal a deeply theological mind, but also a spirituality rooted in the concrete experience of suffering, freedom and fidelity. “…love needs no why. Simply because it is so. And we may rebel, how can God love one more than another? And yet here too we rebel in vain. God loves each of us so much that we cannot complain of any injustice on his part. We cannot reproach him if he loves some more. Indeed, he must love some more, otherwise love would lose its meaning, its beauty. We can never and nowhere seek and expect complete equality, because that would mean a desert, a crushing monotony, which is the end of all life. Therefore, there is no such equality in the love of God either.” (From the book Adolf Kajpr: Ministerium verbi, p. 246, prepared for publication by Vojtěch Novotný, Karolinum Publishing House, 2017.) Kajpr's reflections on Sacred Scripture reveal the central place he gave to God's Word and to the message of St Paul, particularly the call to love: "I often use the expression: St. Paul says this or that, with St. Paul it is this or that. I do not say this because St. Paul has such or such a style, that he has such or such a nature, but because his letters are part of Holy Scripture. Paul speaks in them, but God speaks through him, the Holy Spirit speaks through him. If something is Holy Scripture, it means that it was written by Moses or David or Isaiah, or Matthew or Mark, or Paul or John, the very Originator of which is the Holy Spirit. Of course, God knows our every thought, nothing moves in us without him, we can find his trace in everything, but when the Scripture was created, God intervened more directly into the soul of that human writer, and yet with complete certainty he achieves his goal, that man wrote, and wrote what God wanted to communicate to humanity as his Revelation. In this way, the whole of Scripture becomes the direct word of God, and therefore St. Paul says: "But if I have not love, I am nothing," he does not say this of himself, he is not the only one behind it, but God himself says it, his eternal Wisdom speaks to us in those words and asks us to take them really seriously as an expression of the only way to life. If we are sick and go to ask the advice of some famous doctor, how we hang on his lips and how carefully we try to do what he tells us. How should we now listen to the Divine Physician of our souls. From those ever-recurring words: "I am nothing, nothing benefits me if I have not love," it follows with absolutely inexorable emphasis that it is really a fundamental question of happiness and contentment, of life and death." (From the book Adolf Kajpr: Ministerium verbi, pp. 473–474, prepared for publication by Vojtěch Novotný, Karolinum Publishing House, 2017.) For Kajpr, love was not an abstract ideal, but the very heart of Christian life. His own life gave a particular weight to these words. Having endured imprisonment under both Nazism and Communism, he remained faithful to the Gospel and continued to see love—not power, ideology or self-preservation—as the path to true life. His witness continues to speak to the Church today, reminding us that the Word of God is not simply something to be studied, but something to be lived, even in the most difficult circumstances.

The JCEP is a conference blessed with a rich history that connects directly to the life of St. Ignatius. Throughout the provinces covered by the Conference, there are important historical sites and sanctuaries that bear witness to the earliest history of the Society of Jesus. Recently, Alcalá de Henares—a university city near Madrid and home to one of Spain’s historic universities where St. Ignatius once studied—presented its program commemorating St. Ignatius’ time in the city. Alcalá de Henares in is preparing to commemorate the 500th anniversary of St Ignatius of Loyola's time in the city, a brief but pivotal period in his spiritual, intellectual and apostolic journey. Throughout the year, the city's main institutions will come together to celebrate the memory of the pilgrim and the historical and spiritual legacy he left behind. The historic Antezana Hospital, where Ignatius lived between 1526 and 1527, hosted the presentation of the commemorative programme, which will begin in September and run until May 2027. The programme has been jointly organised by the Alcalá de Henares City Council, the Antezana Foundation, the Diocese of Alcalá de Henares, the University of Alcalá and the Society of Jesus, with the aim of highlighting the importance of Ignatius's presence in the city's history. The programme includes seven lectures, three exhibitions, two musical performances, commemorative tours of Alcalá and a Mass marking St Ignatius's time in the city. The initiative aims to help rediscover the connection between the city of Alcalá and the founder of the Society of Jesus, as well as the mark left by his journey of seeking, formation and service. St Ignatius's stay in Alcalá was a pivotal moment in the development of the apostolic project that would eventually lead to the founding of the Society of Jesus. Welcomed into the Antezana Hospital as a kitchen and nursing assistant in exchange for room and board, the pilgrim began studying philosophy and theology at the university founded by Cardinal Cisneros. This formation proved essential in shaping his desire to help souls through a solid mission of evangelisation. During the presentation, Asensio Esteban Vallejo, president of the Antezana Foundation, emphasised the historical impact of St Ignatius and the importance of the place where he served, studied, prayed and cared for the sick. In the context of Spain's Golden Age, Alcalá was characterised by a humanism that found its fullest expression when placed at the service of others. In this sense, he highlighted that "in Antezana, more than just lodging, Ignatius found a way to live the Gospel." Pedro Luis García Vera SJ, superior of the Jesuit community in Alcalá de Henares, explained that St Ignatius's months in the city were a time of seeking God's will, formation and closeness to the poor. "His entire stay in the hospital, surrounded by simple people, convinced him to live his life in the manner of Jesus: poor and humble," he noted. The Bishop of Alcalá de Henares, Bishop Antonio Prieto Lucena, also recalled that Alcalá was the place where Ignatius began to develop his apostolic project. He emphasised that the experience of living alongside the poor and sick at Antezana remains significant today in the formation of Jesuit novices, who undertake periods of service in hospitals as part of their formation. The Mayor of Alcalá de Henares, Judith Piquet, highlighted St Ignatius as part of the city's historical heritage and as a significant figure in the history of Spain, Europe and the universal Church. In her address, she expressed her gratitude for the collaborative work of the institutions involved in preparing the anniversary celebrations and recalled one of the saint's most famous sayings as a practical guideline: "Love must be shown more in deeds than in words." The events marking this anniversary will provide an opportunity to revisit an essential chapter in the life of St Ignatius and in the history of Alcalá de Henares itself: the encounter between study, service, poverty and the search for God that decisively shaped the pilgrim in the years before the birth of the Society of Jesus.

Sustainable investment has long been an important topic among the Treasurers of the JCEP Provinces. The initiative presented in this article is another example of shared European action, supported through the European Network of Treasurers, that reaches a higher level of agency than provinces alone. Together with church investors and development organisations from numerous countries, the Jesuits are calling on companies and financial institutions not to extract minerals from the deep seabed or finance deep-sea mining activities. The initiative was launched by the Working Group of Church Investors (AKI) and church development organisations, bringing together institutional investors from different countries and Christian denominations. The Jesuits of the European Low Countries (ELC) region subsequently took the initiative to broaden support for the call to protect the deep seabed from intensive economic exploitation. Broad Jesuit Support Following the initiative of Rik Vanwijnsberghe, Executive Treasurer of the ELC region, six other Jesuit provinces quickly joined the call. Through this action, the Society of Jesus is supporting efforts to encourage companies and the financial sector to back a moratorium on deep-sea mining. Companies are being called upon to publicly commit not to extract minerals from the deep seabed, actively exclude deep-sea minerals from their supply chains, and refrain from financing deep-sea mining activities. In addition to the Jesuits in Flanders and the Netherlands, Jesuits from the Provinces of Britain, Central Europe (ECE), Europe Occidentale Francophone (EOF), Euro-Mediterranea (EUM) and Ireland have also endorsed the initiative. Together, they represent Jesuits and their staff in Albania, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Romania, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The initiative also has a strong ecumenical dimension. Alongside the Catholic organisations involved, 47 Protestant member institutions of the AKI are participating, making this an international and broadly ecumenical call for action. Deep-sea mining risks causing enormous and potentially irreversible damage to the ocean floor and marine ecosystems, while threatening the livelihoods of many coastal communities. Through this initiative, the Jesuits and organisations across the Ignatian network seek to contribute to changing the economic rules of the game — protecting creation, safeguarding vulnerable communities and promoting a more just distribution of prosperity.

On 16–17 June, colleagues from across Europe working in advocacy and communications gathered in Brussels for the annual meeting of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Europe network. Based in Brussels, JRS Europe – regional office of JRS in Europe under the European Conference of Provincials – coordinates advocacy, policy engagement and collaboration among JRS country offices, supporting the Society of Jesus' mission of accompanying, serving and advocating for refugees and other forcibly displaced people across the continent. The two-day meeting provided an opportunity for participants to reconnect, exchange experiences and strengthen collaboration between the advocacy and communications teams. Through a combination of joint and parallel sessions, participants reflected on current priorities, shared best practices and explored how the two fields can work more closely together to increase the impact of JRS' mission. Key topics included developments in national and European advocacy, collaboration with the JRS International Office, effective fundraising communication, campaign development, and the relationship between advocacy and public narratives. Participants also discussed the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, identifying common priorities for the JRS Europe network as the new Common European Asylum System enters into force, while communications colleagues reflected on the ethical use of artificial intelligence and responsible storytelling. The meeting reaffirmed that effective advocacy and communication go hand in hand. By combining policy expertise with compelling, human-centred narratives, JRS Europe aims to strengthen its common voice and better accompany refugees while promoting a more just, welcoming and humane Europe.

The UN climate negotiations known as the SB64 meetings concluded in Bonn on 18 June, after two weeks of discussions preparing the ground for the next major climate summit, COP31, which will take place in Antalya, Türkiye, in November 2026. The SB (Subsidiary Bodies) meetings are technical and political negotiations held each year under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). They bring together governments, experts and civil society organisations to advance discussions on issues such as climate finance, adaptation, emissions reduction and the implementation of previous climate commitments. A team from the Jesuit European Social Centre (JESC) and the Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat (SJES) participated in the meetings in Bonn, representing the Jesuit commitment to ecological justice and bringing the Jesuits for Climate Justice calls to the attention of international decision-makers. The team followed the negotiations closely, engaged with other actors and reported from the ground on the progress and challenges of the talks. These experiences show the need of a Conference and networking approach to socio-ecological issues that are ultimately global and do not understand of provincial borders.  While a more detailed analysis will follow, one central tension emerged throughout the negotiations: the urgent need for immediate climate action and the political difficulties involved in transforming commitments into concrete and fair policies. As governments debated responsibilities, implementation mechanisms and climate finance, the consequences of the climate crisis continued to be felt most severely by vulnerable communities and countries. Civil society organisations repeatedly called on decision-makers to move beyond dialogue and ensure that climate commitments translate into real action. For the Society of Jesus, these negotiations are closely connected to the mission of promoting ecological justice—recognising that environmental degradation is inseparable from social inequality and that those who have contributed least to the climate crisis are often those who suffer its greatest impacts. The Bonn meetings represent an important step towards COP31, where governments will continue negotiations on how to strengthen global climate action. Jesuit participation seeks to ensure that the voices of vulnerable communities remain present in international discussions and that climate responses are rooted in justice, solidarity and care for our common home. The Jesuits for Climate Justice coverage of SB64 is available through the SJES channels.    

On 31 May, the JRS Europe team took part in the 20km of Brussels. JRS Europe is JRS regional office for Europe, an institution dependent on the Conference of Jesuit Provincials of Europe.  While the race presented a physical challenge, it also offered an opportunity to reflect on the values that inspire our work every day: hospitality, solidarity, and accompaniment. As part of the Paths of Hospitality campaign, our participation carried a meaning that went beyond the finish line. Every kilometre completed through the streets of Brussels was a reminder that, for many refugees and displaced people around the world, journeys are not undertaken for sport or leisure, but out of necessity. Forced to flee conflict, persecution, violence, or poverty, millions of people embark on uncertain paths in search of safety, dignity, and a place to call home. This is meant to inspire empathy and awareness. It invites us to remember that behind every migration journey is a human story, a family, a dream, and a hope for a better future. This reflects the essence of hospitality itself: walking alongside others, offering support when challenges arise, and recognising that no one should have to face their journey alone. Every gesture of welcome, every act of solidarity, and every effort to accompany those who have been forced to flee contributes to creating a more humane world. When we choose to walk, run, and build together, we help create paths of hope, dignity, and hospitality for all.  

The Life at Sea programme, originally developed by the Croatian Province, and now adopted by the Slovak Province, offers a creative way of adapting the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises to a unique setting. By combining sailing, community life, prayer and spiritual accompaniment, the initiative creates a space where young people can encounter God and reflect on their lives through the lens of Ignatian spirituality. JCEP encourages the sharing of good practices and experiences between provinces, as initiatives such as Life at Sea can inspire others and contribute to a richer and more collaborative approach to formation and youth ministry across the European Jesuit network. From 4 to 11 July 2026, 16 young people from Slovakia took part in Life at Sea, an innovative spiritual experience combining sailing with the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. Departing from Biograd na Moru in Croatia aboard two sailing boats, the group sailed along the Adriatic, visiting Telašćica Nature Park and the town of Sali on the island of Dugi Otok before returning to Biograd. For the participants, however, the journey was about much more than sailing: it became a week of prayer, silence, community and discovering God in the midst of everyday life. The programme was rooted in the tradition of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, inviting participants to slow down, listen to God and learn to discern His presence and action in their lives. Life aboard a sailing boat provided a particularly powerful setting for this. Before a boat can leave the harbour, its ropes must be untied. This simple gesture became a symbol of the inner freedom that St Ignatius calls indifference: the freedom to let go of what holds us back and to remain open to where God may be leading us. The sea as a place of encounter Throughout the week, the changing wind, the shared responsibility for the boats and the simplicity of life at sea created natural opportunities to learn about cooperation, trust and mutual care. The sea became both a physical environment and a space for inner reflection. Each day included meditation on Scripture, periods of personal silence, Mass, communal sharing and the evening Examen, the Ignatian prayer of gratitude and reflection on God's presence in the events of the day. Participants also met regularly with their spiritual companions. A personal relationship with God lies at the heart of Ignatian spirituality. St Ignatius invites people to approach God as a close and trusted friend and to become attentive to the gentle invitations through which God speaks in everyday life.   Finding God in all things The feedback from participants showed both the impact of the experience and the potential for the initiative to develop further. Above all, their reflections expressed gratitude for a week that offered them space to step away from the pressures of everyday life and see their lives from a new perspective. Life at Sea also offers a creative reminder that the Spiritual Exercises do not need to take place only within the walls of a retreat house. A sailing boat, the open sea and the silence of the horizon can also become a place of encounter with God. In the spirit of St Ignatius, the aim is not to escape from the world, but to learn to find God in all things and to respond with greater freedom to His invitation in everyday life.

On Tuesday, June 30th, a group of students from the University of Deusto, led by the campus ministry team of Pello Azpitarte SJ and Jaime Balaguer, visited the office of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials (JCEP) in Brussels. The visit was part of a larger visit to Brussels during which they also visited JCEP works like JRS Europe, and they attended the graduation of the European Leadership Programme at the Jesuit European Social Center. During this same trip, they also visited the European Parliament and some of the more popular neighborhoods and social initiatives in Brussels. During a good part of the visit, they were accompanied by Benoît Willemaers SJ, from JESC. The visit to the JCEP offices consisted of a first moment of welcome, a presentation on the JCEP by Gonzalo Villagrán, JCEP Socius, and a time of dialogue. The frame of this visit was understanding the ways in which the Catholic Church contributes to the common good; in this case, we focused on the historical accompaniment of the European project by the Society of Jesus since the creation of the first European work, OCIPE, in 1956. The conversation around the reality of the JCEP was also a moment to deepen into the universal character of the Mission of the Society of Jesus, a point strongly stressed prophetically by Fr. Arrupe when he pushed for the creation of the Conference of Provincials after General Congregation 31. As he said in 1966: “Our universality [consists] in all of us collaborating together in universal works, works that demand united action.” The dialogue subsequent to the presentation was a very interesting moment in which to identify the main societal challenges for Europe today, and to try to grasp what the intuition behind the creation of the JCEP is telling us about the scope of our work and our dreams. From our side at the JCEP it was also a beautiful occasion for reading our own daily reality at the office through a pastoral and young-adult ministry lens.

The Heads of all eight Jesuit schools in Britain gathered in Rome from 3–5 June for a conference focused on leadership, discernment and the mission of Jesuit education in today’s world. The visit brought together school leaders from across the Jesuit network in Britain, whose schools are committed not only to academic excellence but also to the formation of the whole person through faith, service and reflection in the Ignatian tradition. This network of Jesuit British schools are also part of JECSE, the network of Jesuit schools in Europe, network under the Conference of Provincials.  During the conference, the Heads met with Fr Arturo Sosa SJ, Superior General of the Society of Jesus. Speaking about the opportunities and challenges facing Jesuit schools today, Fr General encouraged the group to remain present at the “frontiers”, echoing a theme recently highlighted by Pope Leo XIV in his address to Jesuit Superiors. The programme also included contributions from Jesuits serving in international leadership roles. Fr James Hanvey SJ, Secretary for the Service of Faith, delivered a presentation on discernment, while Fr Jimmy Bartolo SJ, Director of Jesuit Secondary and Pre-Secondary Education (JESEDU), led a reflective pilgrimage through sites associated with the life of St Ignatius of Loyola. The Heads visited the Church of Sant’Ignazio and the Church of the Gesù before celebrating Mass in the rooms once occupied by St Ignatius himself. The experience offered an opportunity to reflect on the spiritual roots of a tradition that continues to shape Jesuit education around the world. Held at the Jesuit Curia in Rome, the conference strengthened ties between Jesuit schools in Britain and the wider international network of Jesuit education, which seeks to accompany young people in becoming people of competence, conscience, compassion and commitment. Participants also enjoyed panoramic views across the city towards the Vatican from the Curia’s rooftop terrace.

The Jesuit European Committee for Primary and Secondary Education (JECSE), the network that brings together Jesuit and companion schools across Europe to promote collaboration, formation and the shared mission of Ignatian education, gathered its executive team on June 16-19 in Brussels for an in-person meeting. As the members of the team work remotely from different parts of Europe, the gathering provided a valuable opportunity to meet face-to-face, strengthen relationships and reflect together on the future of the network. Alongside discussions on strategic priorities, upcoming programmes and the future development of the network, the gathering offered an opportunity to deepen connections across the wider Jesuit family. The team met with Dalibor Renić SJ, President of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials (JCEP) and JECSE, to exchange perspectives on Jesuit education and the Society of Jesus' mission in Europe. The team also visited the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Europe, Jesuit European Social Centre (JESC), and the Chapel for Europe learning more about their work and exploring opportunities for greater collaboration. The encounters highlighted how different Jesuit apostolic works—education, social justice, advocacy and accompaniment—are interconnected in responding to the challenges facing Europe today. The gathering also provided time to strengthen community through shared meals and informal conversations, recognising that personal relationships are at the heart of effective collaboration.    

At 25 years of age, the Newman Institute remains one of the youngest Jesuit institutions of higher education. As the only Catholic institution of higher education in the Nordic countries, the Institute received official accreditation from the Swedish Government in 2010. Today, it offers bachelor’s and master’s programmes in theology, philosophy and culture, welcoming a diverse student body in a country where Catholics represent a small minority. “Small is beautiful,” says President Philip Geister, SJ. “As a creative minority in a secular but open-minded Swedish society, the Newman Institute can make a substantial and distinctive contribution to public debate through its academic profile.” The history of the Jesuits in Sweden is marked by a long absence: after being banned from the country for centuries, they returned only in the mid-19th century. Their contribution to intellectual and cultural life, however, soon took shape. In 1920, the Jesuits launched Signum, a cultural and intellectual journal whose work helped lay the foundations for the establishment of the Newman Institute in 2001. The 25th anniversary is therefore not only a celebration of the Institute’s achievements, but also of a longer Jesuit tradition of intellectual engagement and dialogue in Sweden. We congratulate the Newman Institute on 25 years of commitment to Jesuit higher education and wish its community continued inspiration and success in its mission. The Newman Institute is part of several higher education networks of the Society of Jesus, including the Kircher Network at the European level (under the JCEP) and the International Association of Jesuit Universities at the global level. As a result, the Newman Institute—despite being a small center—is connected with Jesuit institutions worldwide and benefits from their shared resources and educational programs.

The International Relations Officers of the Kircher Network play an important role in strengthening international cooperation among Jesuit higher education institutions, facilitating the exchange of good practices, developing joint initiatives and identifying opportunities for collaboration across the network and beyond. Their meeting in Krakow on 6–7 July provided an opportunity to reflect on ongoing cooperation and explore new ways of connecting institutions, particularly through Erasmus+ programmes and other international initiatives. The Kircher Network’s International Relations Officers gathered in Krakow on July 6–7, hosted by Ignatianum University, to share experiences, exchange good practices, and explore new opportunities for collaboration across the network. The meeting highlighted lessons learned from Erasmus Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) and advanced preparations for the 2027 Erasmus BIP Student Study Week in Brussels, “Ignatian Leadership and Citizenship for a United and Inclusive Europe in a Time of Uncertainty.” Participants also discussed future joint initiatives, including Erasmus opportunities on AI in international education, a possible faculty and leadership formation BIP inspired by the Canisius Formation Course, and strengthening Erasmus+ cooperation with Saint Joseph University of Beirut. The gathering also included updates on Kircher Network and IAJU initiatives from Dr Susana Di Trolio, Executive Secretary of the Kircher Network, and a presentation of the European Leadership Programme (ELP) by Lucia Trubenová. Organised by the Jesuit European Social Centre (JESC) in Brussels, ELP is JESC’s flagship programme, bringing together young professionals from across Europe for leadership formation inspired by the social and spiritual tradition of the Society of Jesus.

The English version of Young People and Spirituality, issue number 25 of EIDES’ Guides collection, is now available on the Cristianisme i Justícia website. Coordinated by Glòria Andrés, the booklet brings together six conversations between twelve young people who speak in the first person about faith, spirituality and how they experience both in their daily lives and immediate surroundings. Rather than offering a general survey of young people and the Church, the publication gives space to personal voices. The participants are all familiar with, or connected to, Ignatian spirituality, although not all of them are Christian or believers. Throughout the conversations, they reflect on spirituality as a search for meaning, a way of making decisions from a place of depth, and a path that can be lived with or without explicit religious belief. They also address issues such as individualism, activism, community, interreligious relationships, suffering, grief and the challenge of living faith in secularised contexts. The booklet can be downloaded here:https://www.cristianismeijusticia.net/en/young-people-and-spirituality Cristianisme i Justícia is a Jesuit centre for theological and social reflection based in Barcelona,part of the Conference's network of Social Centers, a network coordinated by Filipe Martins, Secretary for Social Apostolate at the Conference. Cristianisme i Justicia dedicated to promoting dialogue between faith and justice in response to today's social, political and cultural challenges. Through publications, public lectures, training programmes and digital resources, the centre encourages critical reflection on issues such as social inequality, migration, ecology, peace, democracy and human rights, drawing on the Ignatian tradition and Catholic social teaching. Its mission is to help Christians and all people of goodwill engage thoughtfully with contemporary issues and contribute to building a more just, compassionate and sustainable society.

From 21 to 23 May, editors and collaborators from several Jesuit cultural journals across Europe gathered in Lisbon. In fact, this Conference’s group has been meeting for more than 30 years, driven by the clear need for journals to gain a broader, more global perspective on major social trends. The participants represented La Civiltà Cattolica, Études, Stimmen der Zeit, Signum, A Szív, Obnovljeni Život, and Brotéria. Hosted by Brotéria, the meeting provided an opportunity for shared reflection on the mission of Jesuit cultural journals today and their role in fostering a more mature, free and responsible public imagination. The programme combined presentations and discussions on the editorial work of each journal with conversations about the present and future of Europe. Participants also visited Jesuit historical sites in Lisbon, celebrated the liturgy together, and enjoyed numerous opportunities for informal conversation and fellowship. The gathering also featured the participation of Jesuit Fr François Euvé, who delivered this month's Eutopos lecture on the role of cultural journals in today's world. Portugal's Secretary of State for European Affairs, Inês Domingos, joined the group for a discussion on the contemporary challenges facing Europe. In the days preceding the meeting, Fr Nuno Gonçalves also offered an Aula da Esfera course exploring the relationship between Portugal and the Holy See. More than simply a series of meetings, these days became a genuine space for encounter, intellectual friendship and shared discernment among people who, despite working in very different contexts, share the same commitment to culture, public life and the mission of the Society of Jesus in today's world. The exchange of knowledge between society and experts throughout the world is nowadays visible in the incisive reflections of numerous Jesuit reviews. Their mission is to reflect, share knowledge and offer new insights on cultural, social, political and religious/spiritual issues. In the face of a crisis of European values, culture and beliefs, this network offers a possible way forward through its intellectual work; the promotion of synergies between the different reviews; and its commitment to answer the Church’s call more profoundly and effectively.

From July 27th to July 31st, the meeting of the JCEP Eurogroup of Jesuit Brothers took place in Gdynia, Poland. Twenty Jesuit brothers from different JCEP provinces—accompanied by the JCEP Socius—gathered to reflect on the vocation of the Jesuit brother and share their experiences. The meeting was organized by Théophile Desarmeaux (EOF), who was in charge of the program and sessions, and Damian Wojciechowski (PMA), who handled the logistics. The meeting alternated between moments of exchange and reflection and more casual time spent together, including several cultural visits. There were opportunities for personal prayer and spiritual conversation about each brother's current experience in his province, as well as time set aside to reflect on the vocation of the Jesuit brother—contributing to the ongoing reflection within the International Commission of Jesuit Brothers. The group also spent time discussing the activities and projects of the JCEP. Additionally, we took time to visit Gdańsk and Gdynia, and to walk in the forest near the Jesuit community. This informal time spent together was very helpful for getting to know each other better and sharing personal experiences. Along with daily personal prayer and the Eucharist, a daily hour of Eucharistic adoration added spiritual depth to the meeting. The time spent together reaffirmed the importance of having this dedicated space, given that the number of brothers in any single province is relatively small. In this regard, it was clear that the Conference level is the perfect setting for these occasions. At the same time, these exchanges allowed everyone to reaffirm the enormous value of the vocation of Jesuit brothers as a symbol for the entire Society of Jesus of the foundational role of service, as well as the vital contribution brothers make in fostering welcoming and hospitality within the Society.

The Jesuit community in Ankara, Turkey is one of the communities under the direct responsibility of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials (JCEP). Jean-Marc Balhan SJ currently serves as the Superior of the community. In the following article, the community in Turkey shares a glimpse of its recent activities, daily life and experiences, as well as some of the people and communities it accompanies. In Turkey, the Jesuits are primarily at the service of the local Church, particularly through the parish in Ankara and in other places. Christian formation for young adults, in various forms, has a particularly important place in our mission. We also occasionally accompany members of the local clergy. More recently, we have also been accompanying a number of young people who are discerning a possible vocation. Alexis is the parish priest of Ankara and also visits the Christian community in Eskişehir. He collaborates with the television channel SAT-7, where he offers programmes introducing viewers to the Catholic Church and the Christian faith. Changmo, who has just returned from his third year in Lebanon, has resumed his service in the parish, particularly among young people. He also takes great joy in welcoming the many visitors who come through our doors during the afternoons. Michael, meanwhile, remains faithful to his writing projects and to the international Christian community in Ankara. From time to time, he travels to Ireland to celebrate anniversaries—his own 80th birthday, or that of one of his brothers, who recently turned 90! Jean-Marc focuses primarily on accompaniment and is often on the road, leading various sessions and retreats, while also making regular visits to the Christian community in Konya. At times, he is also in the air, travelling for other missions, such as teaching and giving sessions on Islam at the Facultés Loyola Paris (FLP) or during “Jesuit Weeks” organised by EOF. On other occasions, his travels take him abroad to represent the Church in Turkey—or to deepen his own skills in facilitating communal discernment! In June, our major superior, Dalibor Renić, came to visit us. During his visit, we also took a day off to explore the ancient city of Gordion, the former capital of the Phrygians, who dominated Anatolia in the 8th century BC after the Hittites. Since then, we have become experts on King Midas, who was said to turn everything he touched into gold, and on Alexander the Great, who, after cutting the famous “Gordian Knot” with his sword, went on to become master of Asia! In the photo, we are standing in front of the entrance to a royal tomb, dug into one of the largest burial mounds in the region. In October, we will welcome an even more important visitor—but we will tell you more about that next time. Until then, we wish you all a wonderful summer!

The JCEP Consult took place online this past June 25th and 26th. The JCEP Consult is formed of the President, Dalibor Renić; the Socius, Gonzalo Villagrán; and the moderator-provincials from the 3 assistencies included in the Conference: Marc Desmet (ELC), Attila András (HUN), and Miguel Almeida (POR). After a first moment of personal sharing and news from the different provinces and the Conference, we began evaluating the recent JCEP General Assembly in Warsaw-Falenica last April and commenting on Fr. General’s discourse during it. Some time was also dedicated to discussing a proposal to classify and name the different Eurogroups of the Conference. We also took the time to put together some names for a commission to work on guidelines for the relationship between superiors and directors of works, a request for the whole Society of Jesus that comes from Fr. General. The JCEP President also presented the project for a task force for the mission in Brussels that will work on an apostolic plan for the Jesuit apostolic presence in the European milieu in Brussels. Time was also dedicated to continuing to reflect on the formation centers in Europe and on a formation strategy for them. Also related to formation, the consultors discussed the proposal for a job description for the Conference Formation Delegate—a proposal presented, in response to Fr. General's request, by the current Delegate, János Lukács. Some time was also dedicated to the planning of the next General Assembly, which will take place in Dublin in October. A highlight was the time dedicated to the evaluation of the JCEP President, after three years in the post, which he himself had requested. The other consultors took some time during the Consult to talk together about the style and performance of the JCEP President in order to offer some possible recommendations for the coming years. An important point of the consult was also the fact that a new consultor was proposed in order to replace Marc Desmet as moderator of the EOC Assistancy. This new consultor is Shane Daly, current provincial of Ireland. The consultors gave their positive appreciation of him as a new consultor so the JCEP President could write to Fr. General proposing his appointment. Fr. Daly was officially appointed by Fr. General on July 15th.

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