The Assembly of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials took place at Le Châtelard, the Jesuit Spiritual Ecocentre outside Lyon, France, between the 25th and the 29th of April. Rainy weather stayed with us most of the days, sustaining the green landscapes surrounding the Centre.

One full day was dedicated to formation on the new Instruction for Administration and Finances (IAF). The General Treasurer, Sebastian Jeerakassery led the sessions with helpful examples of situations frequently faced by Provincials.

Fr. General was also present for a couple of days. On the morning of the feast day of Saint Peter Canisius, he held a conversation with the Assembly. He challenged the Jesuits in Europe to revitalise the evangelising charism of the Society in Europe. The life of Canisius, bravely facing the difficult context of the Reformation, should be inspiration to respond today to the calls of secularisation. And the example of so many Jesuit missionaries who, in the same XVI century, left Europe to spread the Good News all over the world, can encourage us to find again that missionary zeal of our charism, directing it now to the European societies themselves. This, Fr. General pointed, demands apostolic freedom from undue attachments to what has been done in the past and requires a deep knowledge of our context to inform all apostolic decisions.

Fr. General began by offering an overview of the developments in the mission of the Society since Vatican II. He spoke also about the role of the Conference of Major Superiors in discerning the mission in Europe from a universal perspective of taking responsibility for the whole Society of Jesus. Concerns about final incorporation in the Society (issues regarding Tertianship and Final Vows) and the role of Consultors, Socius and Admonitor of the Major Superior completed the main topics of his address.

The rest of the Assembly was dedicated to times of spiritual conversation, sharing information on JCEP Networks and other current issues of the life of the Conference.

In the end, there was time to bid farewell to Bernhard Bürgler, who is finishing his term as provincial of ECE this summer, long lasting member of the Conference, since he started has provincial of the Austrian Province ten years ago.

A final word of thanks to the EOF for the wonderful hospitality, especially to Grégoire Le Bel, the Socius, who took care of all the logistics with unfailingly cheerful efficiency and planned an interesting visit to the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière on Sunday afternoon.

Herminio Rico sj
JCEP Socius