132  Jesuits from the province to be EOF meet in Lyon.

The assembly of the GAL and BML provinces at Francheville near Lyon brought together 132 Jesuits, 103 from the present French province and 29 from de present BML province. To debate about the question: “after the 36^th General Congregation to go forward into the open sea, what are our horizons?” It has been treated, I think, according to an approach that mobilises as much the hart as the intelligence. I did appreciate that as introduction three General Congregation participants told us how they lived it: the election of Father General (Thierry Dobbelstein); the report ‘De statu’ and the universality of the Society of Jesus (François-Xavier Dumortier); the joys and sufferings of discerning (Etienne Grieu). From these testimonies I pull out the importance of taking one’s time, to discover and appreciate the diversity of the universal body that we form, and also the utility - for organising the work - to use counsellors.

We have been able to listen to the first of the two (?) decrees of the General Congregation: “Companions with a mission of reconciliation and justice”. We did it with the help of Etienne Grieu and Thierry Dobbelstein. This text has been matured for a long time in a meeting that can be called ‘a spiritual conversation’. If this kind of exchange - made of active listening rooted in a desire to speak about  what touches us most deeply - has contributed a lot to the quality of the GC ‘s good work, we will understand  that the decree commands it to us  (?) for the life of our communities. The decree unfolds a triptyque, with each element closely tied to the two others: community (‘of discernment with open horizons’); identity (fiery people with a passion for the gospel’) mission (‘with Christ the Reconciler’). As it can be seen, the decree 1 is able to nourish the reflexion and the life of our communities, as well as of each one of us.

The members of the GC36 felt the necessity to be co-responsible for our companions who live in a dramatic situation on different places of our planet.

Hence they have written “A message and a prayer for the Jesuits who live in a war and conflict zone.” Sylvain Cariou-Charton has evoked for us its genesis. With a very just tone that calls on us and is marking us. It has been introduced into the mass for peace, celebrated on the 29^th of December.

Concerning the second decree of the GC36 “a renewed Governance for a  renewed Mission” (whose text has not been distributed), François Xavier Dumortier gave us elements to be reflected on, that are very useful to understand the range of significance of this document, and Sylvain evoked for us some key-elements, as the discernment (for a spiritual government rather than a managerial one), the collaboration, the net. What I have felt: the complexity and the importance of being thematic. And for what at stake is, we can especially note the formation for governing and the place of giving an account of one’s conscience.  

Another strong element of this common encounter: the exchange of opinions among us members of the province to come. From this point of view, I did appreciate the demand addressed to Pierre Ferrière to evoke the spiritual figure of Pierre Favre, future patron of the EOF province. Pierre has done it with brio. The day’s program had saved two meetings in groups of 9 to 10 people. A success, I think. Especially the meeting that was held as a spiritual conversation.   

Other moments favoured a fraternal spirit among us: the meals at small tables, more festive evenings, organised visits of Lyon. And moments of common prayers, well prepared by the liturgy team.     

Thanks to the organising team (François-Xavier Boca, Guy Vanhoomissen, Sylvain Cariou-Charton). Thanks also to the Spitual Center “Le Châtelard”, who’s warm and efficient welcome has undoubtedly contributed to our meeting’s success.