It’s a tradition. Every year the Coordinating Committee (CoCo) of EJIF (European Jesuits in Formation) meets in Brussels to prepare the summer gathering. It responds to the need to do some planning work, but it is also occasion for team building by, together, learning a bit about the Conference and its works in Brussels and tasting some typical features of Brussels living, like the Trappist beer or the “frites” in Place Jourdan...

For 2023, the members of the CoCo are: Eduardo Amaral, POR, studying in Rome and living in the San Saba Community; Francisco Delgado, ESP, doing his regency in the Jesuit Highschool in Oviedo; and Pavel Banďouch, BOH, also in regency in Prague.

To experience a sense of companionship in the Society of Jesus that transcends national boundaries, languages, and cultures, and sets foundations for future apostolic collaboration and sharing in a common mission, these are the main goals of EJIF, one of the oldest (it started in 1986) and maybe most successful networks in the JCEP.

According to Francisco, it worked again this time: “What surprised me the most was feeling at home from the very beginning in such a diverse group of companions. Different provenances, languages, ages, life paths... but all in the same ‘body’, sharing the work, the table and the Eucharist with such a good humour for a weekend. A real gift“.

The actual preparation for the summer meeting was much simplified this year. EJIF 2023 in Portugal will include the MAGIS and WYD experiences, which covers the program part of it. Only the initial days of introductions and the time after the 8-day retreat to elect a new CoCo and choose the place for EJIF 2024 needed a bit of planning. Still, for Pavel, it “was very nice the experience of a productive work combined with the sense of community and sharing of information’s, lives, jokes etc. I would call it maybe as the experience of the ‘body’ of the Society.”

For the JCEP office it was a great breath of fresh air having our three young companions here for a weekend, with all their energy and enthusiasm for our vocation. May EJIF continue to serve its objectives and contribute for a more integrated Jesuit mission in Europe.

Herminio Rico sj.
JCEP Socius