The third Ignatian Leadership Programme took place in June/July 2024. The Programme was led by the recognised authority on Ignatian leadership, David McCallum SJ, and was held at Campion Hall, the Jesuit postgraduate Hall in the University of Oxford. 12 Jesuits participated, eleven from the European Conference. Those in attendance were Jesuits in their first leadership roles. The purpose of the two-week course was to cultivate the attitudes, skills, and knowledge of Ignatian leadership, drawing on Ignatian spirituality, contemporary leadership studies, and the psychology of human flourishing. In other words, the aim was to form Jesuits for leadership understood as contemplation in action. The methodology on the course was varied, with the theoretical woven into the experiential and practical, offering a broad and enriching tapestry of learning. Throughout the programme, “seeds” were planted with care, to be nurtured and to grow over time. One participant shared “I am not sure what the fruit will be – I need time”. We therefore acknowledge contemplation continues, beyond the summer school. A hallmark of the programme is the strong emphasis on discernment as characteristic, not only of Ignatian prayer, but also of Ignatian leadership. The participants commented on and appreciated this singular emphasis as they explored the conceptual self, versus the observing self, versus the experiencing self. The following key words stood out on the programme: acceptance, freshness and spirit. Participants learned to accept their limitations and gifts, see their roles with fresh eyes, and enliven their spirit forthe magis. Growth in self-awareness and in magnanimity were deeply considered. Participants valued the safe spaces in which they could speak and share freely, sometimes about challenges. One participant said “(I was) able to slow down on the course (with) time to reflect, especially on self”. The programme was led by David MacCallum, who directs the Discerning Leadership Programme at the Curia in Rome, together with Roger Dawson. Other course instructors included John Dardis, Nick Austin, Dierdre Rowe and Austen Ivereigh. Participant feedback was very positive, with a strong recommendation of this programme to other Jesuits. Comments included: • “Course was an excellent seed – fertile good in this group.”• “It’s helped me to follow Jesus in more discernment and leadership as service.”• “This course was the perfect course at the right time.”• “It deepened my discernment for leadership.”• “Confirmation especially in self-awareness; confident in listening skills. More confidence in dealing in conflict.”• “It gave me hope in a difficult situation. It gave me a path to consolation.”• “This course is a gift – and gave me deeper understanding. It gave me tools, practicalities and cont exp. It’s an invitation to go deeper, of conversion even.”In 2025 we anticipate a further summer school, which will build on the experience and learnings of July 2022, 2023 and 2024.

It was the second time that a group of people in leadership positions in Jesuit works throughout Europe gathered for a week in Rodizio (Portugal) for a training session on Ignatian leadership. The course started on Sunday the 28th of  January and ended on Friday  the 2nd of February  The programme was prepared and led by a planning team of 4 people: Sarah Broscombe (professional trainer and coach from Britian), Lourenço Eiro sj (Protuguese Jesuit in charge of a youth centre and organidsing leadership training in his Province), Bob Van de Putte (Education delegate in ELC) and Paul Yperman (former education delegate in ELC). There were 23 participants in the training, coming from 11 different Provinces and holding leadership positions in various Jesuit works in their Provinces (retreat houses, JRS, schools and universities, youth pastoral, Province management,…). The objective of the programme was to resource people who are leading Jesuit works throughout Europe. The programme zoomed in on personal, interrelational and organisational aspects of leadership, but the main aim was to engage with Ignatian perspectives on leadership in the first place. So discernment and communal discernment were key elements in the contents of the sessions. As for the way of proceeding the programme offered a coctail of input, individual reflection, group work and prayer.  In the evaluation the participants appreciated the contents of the programme, its way of proceeding, its variation and its reflective pace

Learning by Doing Discernment in Common and Apostolic Planning. From the origins of the Society of Jesus, decisions were made through discernment in common. A group of fifty Jesuits and co-workers met at the end of September in Monte Cucco near Rome to experience Promoting Discernment in Common and Apostolic Planning (DiCAP) in the European Conference“Releasing the Power of the Spiritual Exercises”. This process aims to rediscover the experience of the first Jesuits who gained clarity and unity about their mission through spiritual conversation. During this week the group learnt through different practical and theoretical inputs. The target was to foster in our European Conference communal discernment and apostolic planning. The group was assisted by the president of the European Conference of Provincials and an international team of facilitators. Father General has distinguished the Religious Body of the Society of Jesus (composed of the vowed Jesuits) and the Apostolic Body (composed of the vowed Jesuits and all those who work with them). By discerning together, the participants perceived the deeper principles and relationships which hold the Apostolic Body together. Just as muscles and bones unite in a human body, our shared identity, values and practices are what hold us together as one. The exercise of discernment the process which coordinates and strengthens the Apostolic body in the service of the Gospel, aligning it with the body of Christ. Through individual prayer, spiritual conversation, planning tools and plenary discussion, the participants were able to develop the strategic goals and objectives that will help to implement the DiCAP process in communities, works and provinces. One of the participants said, “I like that DiCAP takes seriously that God is already at work in the world and we are called to listen to what God is doing and to cooperate with that.” Many participants were surprised by the profound level of spiritual conversation attained within the groups over just a short period of time. Another participant articulated this experience by saying that “A spiritual conversation is a sharing of what is most essential to me, a sharing of my life with another and listening, and in that way deepening our shared life.” These conversations gave new life and new energy to the group and can give the same to the whole Apostolic Body of the Society of Jesus as it moves toward a stronger and more collaborative future.

On June 26-27, 2018, the European Task force on Discernment in Common and Apostolic Planning (DICAP) led by Franck Janin, president of the JCEP held a meeting in Brussels. The meeting was a follow up to the February workshop organized in Rome by Fr. John Dardis (see link - https://jesuits.eu/news/602-the-art-of-discernment-a-precious-tool). Six members from the European conference gathered for two days to push the reflection forward on how to promote and implement common discernment and apostolic planning as requested by the General Congregation and Father General. The meeting was an opportunity to elaborate a concrete plan for the coming period. Among the exciting projects planned for 2018-2020: initiating reflections with superiors, elaborating supporting resources, offering formations for jesuits and lay collaborators, facilitating processes across the conference,... The meeting left participants energized and consoled. As one participant shared, the gathering was a chance to strengthen the group’s cohesiveness and practice an attitude of discernment and integrate it in the task force’s planning. From Right to left: Patxi Álvarez de los Mozos, Sandra Chaoul, Franck Janin, Milan Bizant, Michel Bacq, and Bart van Emmerik