As the Society of Jesus continues to deepen its commitment to synodality, collaboration, and apostolic planning, the ability to discern together is becoming increasingly important. On May 8-15, participants from across Europe and beyond gathered in Dublin for a workshop on Ignatian discernment in common (DICAP), exploring how groups can listen to the Holy Spirit and make decisions together in a spirit of freedom and trust. This formation was organized by the ESDAC group. ESDAC is an international Christian association dedicated to fostering communion and discernment within groups. It has been developing in Belgium and other countries since 1995. It views discernment as a skill to be cultivated from a young age and practiced at all times and in all places: alone, as a couple, with family, in the classroom, in communities, in teams, on boards of directors, in pastoral units, and so on. The following reflection was originally written by Brendan McManus SJ and complemented by other participants of this ESDAC formation.   It shouldn’t have worked at all: getting a group of 36 people from 15 countries and diverse backgrounds and ministries to come together for 7 days and find common ground was quite a feat. Outside in the world divisive narratives, political machinations and lack of dialogue prevailed, communal discernment and making group decisions seemed like an impossible dream. Until this workshop, that is…. The Ignatian tradition was central here in offering another way to interact as a group. It was broad enough to encompass different spiritual traditions and backgrounds, that is ecumenical in character. The method was a genuinely spiritual process of ‘listening together’ for the movement of the Holy Spirit. The workshop was based on the ESDAC method of communal discernment and developed into this practical framework for decision making and planning that is DICAP. It is firmly rooted in the wisdom of St Ignatius Loyola, with references to the Spiritual Exercises everywhere, and adapted for contemporary groups seeking to discern God’s will together. At its heart, communal discernment begins with an insight from the Spiritual Exercises: God is already at work in each individual and therefore in the group itself (St Paul’s concept of the ‘body of Christ’). I’ve been guilty myself of focusing on individual discernment almost exclusively, missing out on the gift that it is group work, not to mention the greater impact and enhanced decision-making capacity. It has a world changing insight at its core: groups can find a way through conflict to consensus. The invitation is not to see decision making as authoritarian or directive, as is too often the case, but to trust in the gentle action of grace. This changes the dynamic completely. The emphasis moves from imposing one’s will or winning arguments to attentive listening; from anxious posturing to trust; from rigid control to openness to the Spirit. The ESDAC process with its three rounds of group sharing creates a safe, structured space where people can speak honestly, pray together, and identify the Ignatian ‘movements’ within themselves and within the group. It differentiates the ‘still, small voice’ of the Holy Spirit that speaks through consolation: peace, openness, vitality, or a growing sense of coherence (the movement towards God; the right direction). Equally, desolation shows up as agitation, unease, or heaviness, normally indicating a wrong direction (counter movement). The discernment process and what plays out in the group a growing sense of a consensus and an invitation to spiritual freedom, the letting go of individual agendas. We were introduced to the ESDAC method of Ignatian communal discernment structured around three questions “Who? What? How?”. These can be summarised in order of importance as first a focus on identity (“Who?”), then objectives (“What?”), before finally arriving at the practical implementation (“How?”). It is always tempting for groups to start with the practical ‘How’ but the other levels often need attention first and are harder but more worthwhile work. We need to ask who the community is becoming before God (i.e. grace, charism, purpose) through dialogue and clarifying questions around identity; Then the ‘what’ comes into play, strategic or apostolic ‘calls (take the Jesuit UAPs, for example, which offer orientations or priorities)’, this is effectively a vision of where we want to go; Finally the ‘how’ in terms of concrete action or mission that God may be calling the group toward, that is: structures, programs and resources. This process ensures that discerned decisions emerge not merely from expediency or efficiency, but from a shared spiritual focus that seeks coherence, Ignatian freedom, and a genuinely Spirit-led apostolic mission. A key feature of the process was the Ignatian method of deep listening, based on ‘spiritual conversation’. Participants were invited to listen not only to the words being spoken, but also to what stirred within them as others spoke. Ignatius believed that God communicates through our deepest desires and affective movements. In communal discernment, this became a shared spiritual practice. Typically, the breakthrough came not through the loudest voice, but through the quiet emergence of a common ‘echo’. Silence was crucial, both in our personal prayer and in group spaces. Often silence can feel awkward or unproductive; but here it was a way of remaining connected to the source and creating sacred space. Silence allowed reactions to settle, the ego to loosen its grip, and deeper wisdom to surface. We discoved that clarity emerged gradually, largely organically, when enough room was given for reflection and prayer. It does take huge chunks of time and energy. The ESDAC approach also celebrates difference and helps move from the ego to humility. What we witnessed was that each person had something to offer and the method allowed all voices to be heard equally. Rather than one person dominating and dictating, communal discernment worked through the three rounds of sharing that used listening and cooperation to create mutual trust and vulnerability. This took a lot of effort, and we had to learn to be open to the Spirit working in another, even when they were from a very different cultural background. Communal discernment asks each person to go on a journey with the others towards the greater love, a deeper freedom, and a hard won but fruitful dialogue on incarnate ways of building the Kingdom. We discovered that group discernment does not guarantee an easy answer. Rather, the process is a container for the ‘death-resurrection cycle’ that goes deep, surfacing fears and doubts (a downward movement), and building consensus (an upward movement) with the Spirit’s help. Often, the process revealed complexity rather than certainty. There was one clear moment when the group experienced a profound shift: we had run aground trying to force an artificially agreed shared mission. There was huge learning in the common experience of desolation, unease and too-hard struggle, and the subsequent return of consolation, light and freedom, in letting go of this forced ideal. There was a palpable sense of group ‘movements of the Spirit’, getting a feel for how genuine discernment works experientially and how we can read what is going on within ourselves and the group. One of the most memorable group exercises was called the Museum of Shadows, a powerful experience of reconciliation of communal sin. We began with a prayer sheet, then personal prayer and finally small group sharing on what paralyses us and prevents us as a church from moving forward. Meals were taken in silence that day. Then each small group was invited to name a sin, a common paralysis, and to represent it as a group statue. There were no words spoken, just a word written large at the foot of the statue to name the particular paralysis. Some themes were: closed hearts, self-centredness, washing our hands, and miscommunication. When the statues were ready, the other half of the groups contemplated this ‘museum of shadows’. We walked silently between the statues, observing the ‘frozen’ bodies, hands, faces, in order to feel what the statues-people were feeling in their paralysis. It was hard to communicate just how powerful this was, a visceral embodiment of sin and its paralysing effects, inviting repentance and renewal. In Manresa, Spain, Ignatius experienced profound spiritual development, including the integrating illumination by the River Cardoner, which was central for seeing God active in all things. Similarly, Ignatian communal discernment is points to a ‘group’ spirituality, a way of finding God’s will together. It is a way of proceeding communally, just like the early companions of Ignatius in 1539; being prayerful, attentive, respectful, and constructive. It is a dramatic counter witness to a divided, fear-filled world, and constitutes a real personal and communal transformation. This is what we experienced together during those precious days in Manresa, Dublin.

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