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.

This year's meeting of the JCEP Education Delegates was held in Miskolc, Hungary, under the theme 'Jesus at the centre: educators who inspire faith'. From 25 to 29 November, 25 members of the JECSE Education Commission (Education Delegates and Regional Coordinators) met to reflect on the Catholic identity of our schools and to seek together ways to promote faith formation in schools in our increasingly secularised region. The meeting was also attended by Fr José Alberto Mesa SJ, Secretary for Education of the Society of Jesus and Fr Dalibor Renić SJ, President of the Conference of European Provincials (JCEP). The delegates' meeting focused on deepening the reflection begun in Yogyakarta during the JESEDU Global Seminar last summer. Led by Fr Daniel Huang SJ, Professor at the Faculty of Missiology at the Gregorian University in Rome, participants reflected on how our schools can realistically respond to Fr Arturo Sosa SJ's call to be apostolic bridges and evangelisers in today's challenging times. Dr John Stoer, former Delegate for Education of the British Province, then helped to deepen our reflection on religious education in our schools. A special moment of the meeting was dedicated to deepening our own relationship with God. A retreat prepared for us by Fr Jimmy Bartolo SJ, with time for individual prayer and faith sharing, ended with a beautiful Eucharist celebrated together with the students of the Fényi Gyula Jesuit boarding school. It was a very moving moment to pray together with the young people and to hear their honest testimony of being "salt of the earth and light of the world". The meeting was also an opportunity for delegates to share experiences. We heard about the important events and challenges of our schools in the different Provinces, discussed many practical issues related to the new PCCP training, the future JECSE formation and the collaboration with Educate Magis. It was with particular emotion and a sense of unity that we listened to Fr Denis Meyer SJ, the Near East Education Delegate, who informed us of the current situation in Lebanon and expressed his gratitude for the support given to the schools in the Beqaa Valley by the various schools in our network. Our meeting ended with an inspiring speech by the President of JCEP&JECSE, who congratulated our network for the work it has done in recent years and encouraged us to continue our journey in the service of our common mission. Fr Dalibor reminding us that "JECSE is a mission of Father General and we can now truly experience that it is Missio Dei". We concluded our annual meeting with a strong sense that God is at work in our diverse, secular and post-secular context. We want to continue our discernment of what evangelisation means today and how we can place faith formation at the heart of the work of our schools. We are very grateful to Fr Ferenc Holzinger SJ, the Hungarian Education Delegate, for inviting us to Miskolc and for the extraordinary hospitality of his school. We would also like to express our gratitude to our wonderful guests and keynote speakers who led us in prayer, reflection and discernment during these days, and to all the participants for their commitment and dedication. "We live in a time of mixed emotions: there is a war in the region and there is a lot of uncertainty and fear about our own future and even about the future of the whole world. In such cases, the gift of faith is very relevant. The joy, hope and desire to take an active part in the affairs of the world can be felt in the students I met in this school in Miskolc. This is the goal, the responsibility of the teacher, who not only teaches a specific subject, but also models the perfect human being, nourished by the Ignatian roots. True Jesuit education is not in the head, but in the heart. For 500 years, the spirituality of St Ignatius has touched and transformed people, shaped and nourished teachers, and through them, as a result of their work, shaped young people". Fr Jose Mesa SJ in the school interview

Educators from JECSE schools are growing in their Ignatian leadership To serve our common mission well together, we need to continually deepen our faith, develop our skills, and inspire and strengthen each other. To this end, 18 leaders of Jesuit and associated schools from Europe gathered for another week of formation in the European Center of Comunication and Culture in Falenica, near Warsaw, Poland. They took part in Module II of the Ignatian Leadership Programme organised by JECSE, our European network of Jesuit schools. They come from 8 different countries: Germany, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain, all united by their passion and commitment to Jesuit education. They spent an entire week together, filled with prayer, input, group time and personal reflection focused on leadership within the organisation. The theme of the meeting was "Fostering a Spirit-led organisation". "We live in a rapidly changing world, the so-called VUCA world: volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous; in which we as organisations and leaders have to adapt", this module helped us to reflect on "what we need to address - together with others in our schools - and how we can change and even transform things", one of the participants shared. One of the facilitators also shared her perspective on the process undertaken:  “We saw our VUCA contexts with a new look, and were challenged to think about transformation using Theory U. We heard the call to go to the purpose of our Jesuit schools by seeing and sensing, through discernment in common. That means we have to navigate the polarities in the school team. The question arose how to put the (pastoral) mission in the heart of the school? The Victoria-scale helped us to aim for dialogue within the diversity of our school realities. A wonderful Module!” A very special moment of each ILP module is meeting a special guest. This year the participants had the great opportunity to meet Fr Wojciech Żmudziński, former Socius of the Northern Province of Poland, a very experienced Ignatian Educational Leader. In his testimony he explained how he understands Ignatian leadership and how to initiate and guide processes of change in the dynamics of the Ignatian paradigm. He shared many inspiring insights that will stay with the participants for a long time. One of the participants remarked "He explained to us what Ignatian leadership means to him. He pointed out that it depends on the circumstances and that when change happens you have to focus on the "go-go" and the "so-so" groups and not be paralysed by the "no-no" group. The participants also had the opportunity to spend a nice evening in the city centre of Warsaw and to learn a little bit about the history of this place and of Poland. Now it is time for them to put what they have learned into practice and to test it in their everyday school life. They will share their observations and consult with programme facilitators during online small group meetings. And already in March 2025 they will meet again, this time in Malta, to reflect on how to lead into the unknown.... The whole meeting is best summed up by one of the participants:  “It was a fascinating and instructive format in which the meetings and exchanges with each other were of incredible value”.