From 16 to 21 November, formation delegates from Jesuit provinces across Europe gathered at the Jesuit school El Recuerdo in Madrid. The meeting began with a reflection by Sergio Gadea SJ on the spiritual landscape in Europe. Despite the decline in religious education, he noted a renewed search for authentic spiritual sources, and at times, a growing attraction to the Christian faith. (The release of the new album ‘Lux’ by the Spanish singer Rosalía just a few days earlier, and all the media frenzy that it stirred up, provided a rich cultural backdrop.) This set the stage for an exchange on developments across the provinces — what is working well in formation, where challenges remain and which new initiatives are proving fruitful. At the end of the day, Paco Pepe led the group in a reflective reading of that day's discussions to help us recognise how the Spirit seemed to be moving.

One of the key topics discussed at the meeting was the ongoing work on the Guidelines for Formation in the European Formation Centres. Representatives from the centres in Krakow, Madrid, Paris, Rome and Warsaw participated in person or online, providing insights from the perspectives of faculty members and community life. The discussions focused particularly on ensuring an integral approach to formation that considers the spiritual, intellectual and communal dimensions together.

Another significant part of the programme involved reviewing a draft document on Jesuit life in the digital world. Lively small-group conversations generated concrete suggestions for revising and strengthening the text.

Outside of the working sessions, the group visited the Piquer formation community in Madrid, where they met scholastics who shared their formation and academic experiences, as well as their reflections on the Guidelines for Formation. Their sensitive remarks were particularly interesting given that the group was very international and represented a more universal perspective than just a European one. A visit to Pontifical Comillas University and its various campuses provided further insight into academic structures, the role of faculties in the formation process and ongoing initiatives, such as offering a ‘boot camp’ for new students and minor degrees from other faculties to motivated theology students.

Despite the demanding schedule, the meeting was evaluated very positively, which was probably not unrelated to the wonderful dinner and uplifting conversations the previous night at the Taberna Alabardero with several Spanish companions.