On 25 March, around 25 collaborators from various European Jesuit works in Brussels - Jesuit Conference of European Provincials (JCEP), Jesuit Refugee Service - Europe (JRS), Jesuit European Social Centre (JESC), Chapel for Europe and the coordination of Religion Teaching at the European Schools - came together for a formation day organised within the framework of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials. The session was led by Fr Gonzalo Villagrán SJ, Socius of the Conference, and focused on the theme of Ignatian leadership.

Drawing on both academic insight and spiritual tradition, Fr Villagrán traced the development of leadership as a concept—from its linguistic roots to its emergence as a contemporary field of study—highlighting how Ignatian spirituality offers a distinctive and meaningful contribution to today’s leadership challenges.

The programme continued with small-group exchanges, where participants reflected on their own experiences and explored how Ignatian principles can be lived out in their professional contexts. The day concluded with an informal moment of fellowship over coffee and biscuits at the Chapel of Europe, offering space to deepen connections across works and ministries.

Bringing together collaborators from different apostolates, the formation day embodied the spirit of shared mission within JCEP, fostering both professional development and spiritual growth. The European Works of the JCEP give the Society of Jesus a new level of agency beyond the more local and limited provincial dimension, as well as enrich the provincial work. Given that the tasks in these works are growing in size and complexity, new Jesuits and lay people are being integrated into them. This formation for mission partnership offered by the JCEP follows the Society’s demand to share its charism and seeks to help pass from a mere working relationship to a true partnership in mission between Jesuits and lay people.

Find out More about the European Works of the Jesuits in Brussels:

Jesuit Conference of European Provincials

Jesuit European Social Centre

Jesuit Refugee Service - Europe

Chapel for Europe