Five Jesuit colleges, twenty-three presentations, a solemn mass, community programs, and over eighty participants—this was JEK FESZT in a nutshell. Reviving a longstanding tradition, students and leaders of Hungarian Jesuit university colleges gathered once again to share experiences, insights, and strengthen their sense of community. Held on March 22 at the Jesuit Island in Budapest, the event provided an opportunity for participants to reflect on their academic and personal growth within the Jesuit educational framework.

The Network of Hungarian Jesuit University Colleges

The Hungarian Jesuits operate five university colleges across Europe, each offering students not just accommodation but also intellectual and spiritual enrichment. Founded in 2005, the Szent Ignác Jesuit College in Budapest provides housing and self-improvement opportunities in the heart of the city. Since 2008, the Jesuit university chaplaincy in Marosvásárhely has welcomed students studying in this Transylvanian university town. Szeged's Jesuit presence was strengthened with the establishment of a college in 2008, later evolving into the Kaszap István Jesuit College in 2011. That same year, the Jesuit Roma College and Vocational College was founded in Kispest as part of the Christian Roma College Network. Lastly, the Province oversees the historic Collegium Hungaricum in Leuven, Belgium, originally founded in 1948 by Hungarian students who fled post-World War II Hungary and later flourished under the guidance of Jesuit priest István Muzslay SJ.

Supporting these five institutions is the Jesuit University Colleges Network (JEK), which facilitates regular rector meetings, provides professional consultation, coordinates intercollegiate and student collaborations, and offers scholarships. The demand for JEK FESZT emerged naturally after a leadership skills development meeting for student committee members last year. "The relationships forged during that event underscored the need for a larger gathering," explains Ilona Nagy, the network coordinator. With this festival, the organizers successfully revived a tradition that had been dormant for over a decade.

Learning Through Shared Knowledge

Participants described the event as an intellectual and personal journey. "The presentations felt like a series of voyages, covering topics as diverse as prosthetic limb design, reintegration programs in women’s prisons, minority rights, literary translation, menstrual poverty in Hungary, the HoldOn project, and lesser-known geographical regions where centuries-old ways of life persist," said Sára Domokos, a resident of the Jesuit Roma College. As a first-time presenter, she found the event's supportive and motivating environment particularly valuable in helping her share her research.

Another highlight was the Oxford-style debate, a globally recognized formal debate format, which captivated Ágnes Szakács, a student from Marosvásárhely. Inspired by the experience, she and her peers are now working to introduce this debate format in their own institution. "It was also inspiring to gain insight into the activities and programs of the Szent Ignác Jesuit College in Budapest," she added.

The mission of Jesuit colleges is to shape future professionals and leaders, a goal that Ilona Nagy believes is best achieved when individual knowledge is amplified through collective gatherings. "For Jesuits, community is of utmost importance," she emphasizes, noting that face-to-face interactions create irreplaceable bonds.

A Cross-Border Community Taking Shape

True to this spirit, the festival continued with a city-wide treasure hunt organized by Leuven students. Talented musicians from each college came together to form an impromptu ensemble, performing in a celebration that culminated in a communal dinner, wine tasting, and social events lasting well into the night.

Participants unanimously expressed the importance of maintaining relationships between Jesuit colleges. "I met many peers who share similar values, making it easy to connect with them. This event planted the seeds for multiple professional and community collaborations, allowing us to contribute not just within our colleges but also for the benefit of society at large," said Nikoletta Nagy, president of the student committee at the Kaszap István Jesuit College in Szeged. Others highlighted the significance of cross-border relationships.

"It was an incredible experience to feel that we were all part of a shared mission at JEK FESZT. I saw how well-prepared each college was for this event, making not just the festival but the preparation process itself a valuable team-building exercise," said Géza Pakot SJ, chaplain of the Leuven college.

Deepening the Ignatian Spirit

For Dániel Vörös, rector of Collegium Hungaricum in Leuven, the event’s greatest value lay in the personal connections and discussions. "By stepping out of our daily routines, we drew inspiration from other colleges’ experiences and, in turn, inspired others," he said. "We also deepened our commitment to Ignatian spirituality and found ways to bridge the physical distances between our institutions."

Ágnes Szakács shared a similar perspective, noting that one of her motivations for attending was the opportunity to meet others familiar with Ignatian spirituality. "The moment we arrived, we could feel it—everyone was open and welcoming."

The festival concluded with a solemn mass at the Jézus Szíve Jesuit Church, a moment of collective reflection that, according to Géza Pakot SJ, most clearly articulated the mission of Jesuit college students. "It was there that we fully grasped our calling to serve the world. With this conviction in our hearts, we now return to our communities."