On 28 September - 3 October, the first edition of JECSE's IPP Formators Training programme took place, with 40 participants from Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy, Spain, Malta, Ireland, Poland and Portugal taking part in it. This training is included in JECSE's Ignatian Pedagogical Programme, which seeks to promote the use of IPP in the classroom as a tool for developing our educational apostolate. The programme has a horizon: our mission; is based on our foundations: Ignatian spirituality and spiritual exercises; and counts on a means: Ignatian pedagogy. “We have a treasure: the Ignatian style of education. IPP is the way we can better convey our teaching & learning process to provide students with quality education; it aligns with pedagogical theories, our current laws and our needs as XXI century society.” (Nadezhna Castellano and Javier Orellana, Spain A Formation in Two Phases: Online and Face-to-Face The formation included online activities as well as a face-to-face training week. During the online phase, from June to September 2025, participants worked with some of the key documents for our educational work: The Characteristics of Jesuit Education, Jesuit Education aims to Human Excellence: Men and Women of Conscience, Competence, Compassion and Commitment and Ignatian Pedagogy, A Practical Approach; they analysed the relationship between Ignatian spirituality and pedagogy and attended a workshop entitled: IPP as a tool for mission, in which they visualised spaces for developing Ignatian mission and spirituality within the curriculum/teaching practices. On 28 September, we all gathered at Seminário de S. Paulo de Almada, near Lisbon, to begin the face-to-face training led by Father Johnny Go and Miss Ritta Atienza, authors of the book: Learning by Refraction: A Practitioner's Guide to 21st-Century Ignatian Pedagogy.  "I am particularly grateful for the opportunity to learn from the best experts in the field and the opportunity to undertake this training journey with other Ignatian school teachers with whom, despite being at different stages, we share common goals.” (Luís Esteves, Portugal) Objectives and Hands-On Learning During this week, participants were able to: Deepen their knowledge of Ignatian pedagogy. Practise strategies, dynamics and resources to promote reflection in the classroom. Know service learning methodology as a way of promoting Ignatian action. Practise some tools to train other colleagues and adults. The goal was for them to acquire expertise in designing training on Ignatian pedagogy so that they can be formators in their own schools, foundations and provinces, thus expanding the scope of the programme and the number of students and schools that can regularly use Ignatian pedagogy in the classroom.  Putting Learning Into Practice The highlight of the training came when participants were able to put into practice the workshops designed during the week. To this end, we had the precious collaboration of Colégio São João de Brito, in Lisbon.  After visiting the beautiful city of Lisbon, we arrived at the school, where we witnessed inspiring projects that teachers carry out with their students. After that, nearly 100 teachers participated in our workshops on promoting students' reflection and action. We would like to thank the school staff for all their support during the training week and the teaching staff for their enthusiastic attitude during the workshops.  The fruits of this training process are very rich: a strong feeling of gratitude, personal growth, deep learning experience, sharing and working as a team…and a sense of community that will surely endure over time... “This training has made me feel part of a single community with a shared educational mission.”  (Mª Luisa Rosety, Spain) “I saw for the first time how large our Jesuit network is and how many interesting things are happening in other schools.” (Paweł, Poland) Many thanks to all those who participated in and promoted this formation experience.   Yolanda Baquero López  JECSE's Ignatian Pedagogical Programme Coordinator

JECSE Secondary High School Heads Conference 2025, in Málaga This October 14-17, Secondary School directors from most provinces of Europe gathered in Málaga, Spain, for a 4-day JECSE conference. The title chosen for the conference was: “Sharing the Best We Have: Faith, Community, Mission”. The goal of the organizers was to create a space of gathering for Ignatian Educators to be inspired and challenged by a variety of presentations that led to intense conversation and meaningful moments of prayer. There is no denying that our understanding and experience of key realities such as Faith or Mission can no longer be taken for granted in today’s fast-changing, and increasingly secular world. Being Catholic and Ignatian in name does not guarantee that leaders, teachers, and students in our schools have the “in-depth faith formation” which the most recent Jogjakarta international gathering of the education sector of the Society of Jesus asked for. The mandate to put faith formation at the center of our schools´ life is easily accepted in theory, but not easily put into practice. Nor is there a clear consensus as to how much emphasis should be placed on faith or what the best ways to promote our mission and identity are. JECSE conferences, such as this one, allow people in leadership positions in our schools to take a step back from their busy day-to-day work and view their own personal reality, as well as the concrete context of their schools, with new eyes. These four days together enriched us through individual and communal prayer, silent reflection, inputs from different speakers, and especially the many opportunities for conversation and discussion with our peers from all over Europe. A Welcoming and Diverse Community We were happy to discover that we had veteran participants who have been in their role as directors for a long time, as well as newcomers who were participating in a JECSE event for the first time. The friendly atmosphere in the group made it easy for everyone to feel not just welcome, but like they truly belong. The first question we explored was: “What does it mean to be sent?” Fr. Damian Czerniak SJ, from Poland, helped us explore what it means that our schools are part of the apostolic mission of the Society of Jesus. As usual in JECSE events, there is always plenty of time for moments of individual reflection and also group discussion about the inputs we receive through the different presentations and activities. Deepening Faith and Joy The second day was intense, full of rich presentations in the morning. We began the day led by Fr. Bernard Peeters SJ, from Belgium, in following St. Ignatius’ footsteps and exploring creative ways to enter and be nourished by the Spiritual Exercises. This was followed by a more personal testimony by Mr. Marco Emanuele, an Italian alumnus of Jesuit Schools, who shared with us how the Jesuit education he received shaped him and his faith. It is always encouraging to see how the experiences students go through in our schools can have such a lasting and fruitful impact on their lives. To conclude the morning, Ms. Stéphanie Medina, from Belgium, invited us to discern in our own personal experiences the difference between fleeting joy and deep, lasting joy. This helped us understand, in a very concrete and personal way, how Ignatius’ own discoveries at Manresa can illuminate our own inner experience today. The afternoon began with an insightful exploration of the question: “Can we give what we do not have?” by Mr. Jérome Widemann, from France. His presentation helped us hold the tension between knowing that to share God with others, we ourselves must first experience and possess something from God, but how, at the same time, God often uses us to give to others something that doesn’t come from us because it transcends us. The day concluded in an Ignatian prayer workshop, where I, Mr. Francisco Machado, from Portugal, led participants into two longer periods of personal prayer and shared some practical approaches to understanding and living friendship with God in practical and contemporary ways. From Personal Experience to Communal Discernment The following day focused on translating personal experience into a communal one, and for this, Fr. José de Pablo SJ, from Spain, led with a presentation titled: “Discernment in Common as a tool for community building.” He offered us a nuanced explanation of the many factors at play when we want to do spiritual conversations or communal discernments in our schools. And he gave us useful tools to help us avoid common mistakes that happen when we try to put into practice these very special forms of teamwork. After his presentation, we had time to discuss the topic in mixed groups. The whole afternoon was devoted to a more in-depth experience of Spiritual conversation in small groups led by facilitators. On the final day of the conference, we visited three very different Jesuit Schools in Málaga, San José, SAFA ICET, and San Estanislao, where we had a beautiful conclusion Eucharist presided by the Spanish Education Delegate, Fr. Jaime Badiola SJ, who reminded us that Faith, Community, and Mission are not three separate things but one same reality. Depending on our context and on the moment each of our schools is in, we may choose to begin with, or emphasize one of these doors. But, no matter which we enter first, the path should always lead to the other two dimensions as well. This was the first conference in JECSE’s 3-year cycle focusing on the same theme: “Sharing the best we have: faith, community and mission”. In the upcoming years, we will gather Pastoral Coordinators, then Primary School Directors, and, finally, Pedagogical Coordinators.

From May 20 to 23, 2025, JECSE was represented at the annual meeting of the International Commission on the Apostolate of Jesuit Education (ICAJE) held at the Jesuit General Curia in Rome. This annual gathering brings together representatives from the six Jesuit education networks and Fe y Alegria that form the Jesuit Global Network of Schools (JGNS), along with members of the Secretariat for Education and Educate Magis. Fr. Jimmy Bartolo, SJ, the incoming Secretary of the Society of Jesus for Pre-Secondary and Secondary Education, also joined the meeting as part of the Secretariat’s handover process. During the gathering, participants reviewed the current state of Jesuit education across the world, assessed progress on key projects, and explored new initiatives to deepen the mission and collaboration within the global network. Special attention was given to the challenges and opportunities of educating for faith in today's world as continuation of discernment process started during JESEDU-Jogja2024 Seminar. The program included also updates on ecological initiatives, alumni engagement, PCCP formation training, and Educate Magis apostolic planning. This year’s meeting special moment was a pilgrimage in honour of the Jubilee Year. As “Pilgrims of Hope,” the participants “walked together as a Global Network” and then celebrated the Eucharist in the Cappella della Madonna delle Partorienti inside St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by a brief tour of the basilica led by Fr. Andrea Bonavita, SJ, an Italian Jesuit architect. The encounter concluded with a Eucharist at the historical Camerette—the rooms where St. Ignatius of Loyola spent his final days. It was a very emotional moment for all of us, as it marked our final gathering with Fr. José Mesa, SJ, in his role as Secretary for Education. As he will be finishing his mission at the end of this year, we offered thanks to God for his many years of generous and dedicated service to Jesuit education worldwide. JECSE is proud to be part of this ongoing global dialogue and commitment to forming individuals who serve with depth, justice, and hope. The ICAJE meeting continues to be a space of discernment, dialogue, and strategic planning — always grounded in the Jesuit tradition of accompaniment and service. JECSE is grateful for the opportunity to be part of this global conversation and looks forward to continuing the journey together in mission.  

The “Carlo and Francesco: Two of Us!” event for young people from the Jesuit Global Network of Schools concluded with a solemn Holy Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday. This meaningful and unforgettable gathering, organized by Istituto Leone XIII and Istituto Massimo, brought together over 200 students from 20 schools across three continents: Latin America (FLACSI), North America and Canada (JSN), and Europe (JECSE). We were also able to connect remotely with our school in the Republic of Congo, Africa (JESBAM) - truly making this a global celebration. Our meeting began on April 24 in Milan, where we arrived for the long-anticipated gathering “Carlo Acutis – One of Us!”. Although Carlo’s canonization has been postponed, students and teachers decided not to cancel the gathering, but instead to come together—to share this time, to pray, and to let ourselves be gently led by events that go beyond our plans. As the organizers wrote to participants: “Let us not forget: Carlo was a student in one of our schools, Pope Francis was a Jesuit—something that unites us in a special way. Perhaps we can truly say: Carlo and Francesco… Two of Us! And so, we have one more reason to gather and thank God for these two extraordinary gifts to the world.” Throughout the four days, students engaged in various reflection activities, listened to testimonies, and visited places connected to Carlo’s life—all of which invited them to reflect on the challenges of living a committed Christian life in today’s world. The Ignatian spirit was present in every moment—from prayer and contemplation to spontaneous joy and cultural exchange. The presence of Jesuit educators and spiritual leaders helped guide the youth toward a deeper understanding of vocation, mission, and global solidarity. One of the most meaningful moments of the gathering was the opportunity for all participants to be present in Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis—an historic and deeply moving occasion for the entire Church. Representing the global Jesuit educational community, the students stood in solemn prayer alongside thousands of faithful, paying tribute to the first Jesuit pope—a humble and compassionate shepherd whose pontificate was marked by a deep commitment to service, dialogue, and mercy. For many, this rare experience reinforced a profound sense of mission and the responsibility to continue his legacy of justice, inclusivity, and care for the most vulnerable. Their presence at the funeral served as a powerful symbol of the continuity of the Church’s mission across generations and continents, as young people are called to carry forward the values embodied by Pope Francis. The event culminated in a solemn Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday, a powerful reminder of the central message of both Carlo and Pope Francis: that God’s love is for everyone, especially those most in need. During that day's homily, we were encouraged to focus on the positive experiences we share with others and to approach one another with compassion and forgiveness. We were told to seek reconciliation instead of dwelling on faults or stumbling blocks. The liturgy became a celebration of international friendship, shared faith, and the hope of a Church renewed by young hearts. Reflecting on the theme “Two of Us”, students came to see that the lives of Carlo and Francesco are not merely stories to admire, but examples to follow. They remind us that holiness is possible here and now—and that it begins with ordinary people saying “yes” to God’s call. This gathering was more than an event—it was a movement of hearts, a seed of future collaboration, and a visible sign that the global Jesuit schools family is alive, connected, and ready to build a more just, compassionate, and faithful world. As one student put it: “Now I know I’m not alone. Carlo and Francesco are with us—and we are with each other.”

The JECSE Pedagogical Leaders Conference 2025 was held from 25 to 28 March in the serene setting of Centro Pastorale Ambrosiano (Seveso, Italy), and brought together pedagogical leaders from Jesuit and companion schools across Europe. Over 90 participants from 13 countries attended, including school heads, deputy heads, heads of studies, formators, and trainer ... diverse roles united in the shared commitment: to guide, support, and mentor colleagues, thereby contributing to a more Ignatian and fruitful approach to teaching and learning in our schools. Inspired by the theme "He sent them two by two... Accompaniment: Walking with our colleagues from and into the heart of our Ignatian tradition", participants engaged in meaningful discussions and shared practical tools to deepen our mission as Ignatian educators. “Li inviò due a due” – “He send them two by two” In his opening address, Fr Claudio Barretta SJ, President of the Jesuit Educational Foundation in Italy, reminded us that true Ignatian accompaniment is not a solitary journey but a shared one, rooted in trust, collaboration and openness. Walking together - despite challenges and differences - enables us to witness to and embody the deeper mission to which we are called. Prof. Ana Berastegui from the Universidad Pontificia Comillas, Spain, invited us to reflect on the current context and the needs of our students. She inspired us to consider how we can build a culture of care in our schools by promoting personal growth and fostering meaningful relationships. Deepening the call The second day of the conference focused on the relationship between accompaniment and mission. Brian Flannery from Ireland gave an inspiring presentation on the transformative power of accompaniment in educational settings, highlighting its potential to deeply impact both educators and students. Yolanda Baquero shared how the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm (IPP) can serve as a practical tool for integrating our mission into everyday teaching practices, guiding educators in aligning their work with Ignatian values. The day was enriched by moments of silence, prayer and spiritual conversation, providing a sacred space for deep reflection and sharing. In the evenings, participants gathered for Taizé-style community prayer - an experience of simplicity, contemplation and deep connection. The conference also offered moments of joyful integration, where participants connected informally, deepening bonds and sharing experiences in a spirit of camaraderie and fellowship. Accompaniment in mission: baby steps for our schools On the third day of the conference we had the opportunity to hear from colleagues who shared powerful testimonies of moments of being accompanied and how they, in turn, accompany others. Participants learned how JECSE and Educate Magis can further support their work in fostering a strong educational community. In the afternoon, group workshops allowed us to take action and plan 'baby steps' at local, national and regional levels to strengthen our collective efforts to accompany each other in the pedagogical field. Closing reflections and connections: A final day of inspiration The conference concluded with the Eucharist at San Fedele, which provided a spiritual and reflective end to our meeting. On this day we also had the opportunity to visit Istituto Leone XIII in Milan, where we heard about their innovative educational project and their impressive plans for the future. The day was rounded off with a wonderful walk through the streets of Milan, culminating in the inevitable group photo in front of the iconic Milan Cathedral. As the conference drew to a close, the atmosphere was one of gratitude, inspiration and renewed commitment to Ignatian Education, leaving participants deeply enriched and motivated to take these insights back to their schools and communities with a renewed sense of purpose and passion for their work.

On 9 November 2024, Fr General Arturo Sosa, SJ, has appointed Fr Jimmy Bartolo, SJ, from the Euro-Mediterranean Province, as the next Secretary for Secondary and Pre-secondary Education of the General Curia. Fr Jimmy Bartolo will begin his job in January 2026. This will give him and Fr José Mesa, SJ, the current Secretary, plenty of time to plan a smooth transition of this important apostolic area of the Society. Fr Bartolo is currently the Rector of Saint Aloysius College in Malta. He brings a great deal of experience, knowledge and dynamism to the Secretariat because of his many years working in schools, provincial coordination of schools and team work at the level of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials. At the handover Fr Mesa will have completed more than 15 years as the Secretary for Education.