Within the framework of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials, collaboration among Jesuit works across Europe is a key dimension of strengthening a shared apostolic mission. In this context, the network of Jesuit Social Centres, dynamized by the Jesuit European Social Centre (JESC) plays a vital role in analysing social realities, promoting justice, and fostering dialogue between faith and contemporary European societies.

Bringing together centres from across the continent, this network contributes to the mission of the Society of Jesus by combining research, formation, and social engagement. Their annual meeting offers an important opportunity to deepen collaboration, reflect on common priorities, and discern how best to respond—together—to the evolving challenges facing Europe today.

The following article, brought to us by Istituto Arrupe in Palermo (hosts of the event) highlights the most recent gathering and offers a glimpse into the ongoing commitment of these centres to work as one apostolic body at the service of a more just and reconciled Europe.

From 21 to 25 April, the Istituto Arrupe hosted the annual meeting of the directors of Jesuit Social Centres in Europe. The gathering forms part of a wider international network linking centres across the continent—from Dublin to Brussels, from Madrid to Lisbon—committed to ongoing dialogue, the exchange of good practices, and the development of joint initiatives.

The meeting offered a valuable space for shared reflection among the centres, as they considered their role within the broader social apostolate of the Society of Jesus and engaged with the key challenges shaping contemporary Europe.

One of the highlights of the week took place on Wednesday, 22 April, when participants visited the Istituto Arrupe, where they were welcomed by its director, Gianni Notari. The visit provided an opportunity to revisit the Institute Arrupe’s history, its deep roots in the local context, and its longstanding contribution to the cultural and civic development of Palermo.

Particular attention was given to the legacy of key figures such as Bartolomeo Sorge and Ennio Pintacuda, whose intellectual and social engagement accompanied the city through one of the most challenging periods of its recent history. Recalling the years marked by mafia violence in the 1980s and 1990s, the presentation also highlighted the process of civic and cultural renewal that led to the so-called “Spring of Palermo.”

Following the presentation, participants visited the premises of the Istituto Arrupe, gaining first-hand insight into its ongoing educational, cultural, and research activities. The day continued with a visit to the Centro Astalli Palermo, engaged in welcoming and supporting vulnerable communities through the work of staff and volunteers. Another significant stop was the Church of the Gesù, known as the Casa Professa, a symbolic site of Jesuit presence in the Sicilian capital.

In the days that followed, the meeting continued in Baida, where participants addressed a range of strategic questions. Discussions focused in particular on how Jesuit social centres in Europe can contribute more effectively to the mission of the Society of Jesus, while maintaining a strong link between research, formation, and social engagement.

Among the topics explored was the current socio-political situation in Italy—and especially in Sicily—presented by Antonio La Spina, former professor at LUISS Guido Carli. His contribution offered a nuanced analysis of ongoing transformations, equipping participants with valuable tools to better understand and contextualise the challenges facing the region.

The Palermo meeting thus proved to be an important moment of international exchange, reflection, and renewed collaboration among Jesuit social research centres in Europe. It reaffirmed a shared conviction: that building a more just society requires dialogue, formation, and the ability to read the signs of the times with critical insight.