Within the Maison Magis, in Paris, there is a place that welcomes young professionals who want to create or develop their own business: it is theCowork Magis, launched four years ago by the Jesuits. 

The Cowork Magis welcomes young entrepreneurs who want to launch their own professional project and do not have their own premises. It is good news for our Jesuit Province: this space is in fact a "lab-oratory" inspired by the Universal Apostolic Preferences, especially the third one - "to accompany young people towards a future full of hope". Thus, by hosting more than 40 coworkers, our mission is to offer everyone Ignatian and professional tools to discern their path and live the magis.

The story began in 2018 when a small group, accompanied by Grégoire Le Bel sj, created a space for work and mutual support in the offices of the Provincial House in Paris. Little by little, the adventure grows: welcoming new members, transferring to the newly-born Magis House and the arrival, at the end of 2020, of a lay director (María Becquey) and a Jesuit chaplain (Álvaro Lobo sj). It is still the time of the foundation: we are going through the uncertainties of the health situation and the economic context together. 

The young professionals welcomed to the nursery find a caring community, the necessary working facilities and a favourable environment for professional and spiritual guidance, if they wish so. The aim is to help them create new business models and contribute to the common good through their work. Thus 40% of the projects carried out by young entrepreneurs have a social or ecological dimension. A number of pathways, mentorships and partnerships (MCC, Icam, etc.) allow each one to grow, amidst the inevitable joys and adaptations. In the light of the Synod on Synodality, launched to renew our ways of doing things in the Church, a process of listening to young entrepreneurs, lay partners and Jesuits has been launched. This is a demanding and indispensable step to understand the deep motivations of each person and to distinguish the essential elements from those that are more secondary. A great adventure to follow!  

Read more: cowork-magis.org 

María Becquey and Álvaro Lobo sj  
Responsible and chaplain of Cowork Magis, Paris