During this month of October, the magic of Zoom brought together the 19 Major Superiors of the JCEP, including seven new members. Two of the three Regional Assistants were present and many guests also joined us. A year has passed since our last full assembly. In four days we discussed 14 different topics (!) with striking lightness, consolation, and great alignment among the participants.

A culture of vocation promotion

A highlight was the session with Father General. He spoke to us mainly about the importance of creating a real "culture of vocation promotion" in the Society. He urged each Province as well as the Conference to develop a plan in pursuit of this goal. The General Curia will work to support the common effort. The appeal was heard. The urgency is felt by all. God calls unceasingly and always. This is our faith but our collaboration is required. It does not only concern Jesuits, but all those who have the mission of the Society at heart.

New JCEP apostolic plan

Under the leadership of Sandra Chaoul as facilitator, another highlight was the adoption of the eight priority calls that will form the backbone of the new JCEP apostolic plan. In line with Father General's intervention, the following objective was underlined: "to support and resource the vigorous promotion of the Jesuit vocation in Europe to help attract gifted and generous young men to dedicate their lives to the service of Christ's mission".

A lot of topics requiring our discernment skills

Safeguarding; formation centres; primary-secondary and higher education networks; the works of the Conference: the Jesuit European Social Centre, the European Tertianship; JRS-Europe accompanied by an intervention from JRS International and JRS Middle East and North Africa (MENA); the approval of the accounts and our new statutes; staffing needs... are some of the other topics that were discussed and required our discernment skills.

Sharing the difficulties, challenges and dramas we face

Covid 19, earthquake in Croatia, explosion in Beirut… What a grace it is to come together to share the difficulties, challenges and dramas we sometimes face. Life in each Province is so intense. It requires all the attention and strength of the Provincials. But none is alone. We carry a common mission. During these four days we have experienced a great fraternity (Fratelli Tutti) which has also activated the thirst to find ourselves, one day, face to face, side by side, hand in hand, sitting at the same table to brake the daily bread, the one that restores our bodies and the one of the Eucharist. Bodies and minds aligned.