From October 19 to 22, the conference of the directors and delegates of the spiritual centres of the Jesuit provinces in Europe took place in Vienna, at the Kardinal-König-Haus. The 27 participants came from 17 countries. The theme of the conference was: “Ignatian Spirituality and the Concept of Embodiment.”

Embodiment has gained increasing relevance in recent years—not only in personal development, but also in academic research and in the practice of spiritual exercises. The conference was prepared by the Steering Committee: Wilfried Dettling SJ, Ruth Holgate and Christopher Vella SJ.

Various perspectives illuminated key aspects of the concept and explored its possibilities and limitations in enriching the understanding of Ignatian spirituality and the accompaniment of spiritual exercises. In addition to the substantive sessions and the spiritual atmosphere, conviviality was not neglected. Under the motto “Ausg’steckt is” (it's out of stock), participants visited a traditional Viennese Heuriger (typical Austrian tavern where young wine and homemade snacks are served), which offered embodied experiences in a uniquely local way.

In the end, all agreed: in a time when the boundaries of spiritual offerings are increasingly fluid, the concept of embodiment is not only compatible with Ignatian spirituality, but can make a significant contribution to a reflective and discerning engagement with personal processes and spiritual experiences.

At the end of the conference, the participants expressed their gratitude to the steering committee for their commitment over the past years and elected three new members from among their group: Sebastian Maly SJ (ECE), Roman Groszewski SJ (PMA), and Hicham Chemali (PRO).

The next conference will take place in Paris in autumn 2027.

Wilfried Dettling SJ