Assembled for the February Jesuit Conference board meeting in Los Altos, Calif., Superior General Adolfo Nicolás gave the Provincials of the United States and English Canada an update on planning currently underway at the Roman Curia. Father General, in his first stateside visit since his election, shared an outline of five new strategic priorities. Developed during several days of prayer and discussion at a recent Curia retreat, the priorities will be refined and then distributed to the whole Society.

I. Spirituality

Continue to reinvigorate the process of ongoing Spiritual renewal desired by GC 35, nourished in the Spiritual Exercises, at the service of our universal mission and inspired by the best tradition of “Sentire cum Ecclesia,” the right Ignatian attitude towards the hierarchical church as expressed in our Formula Instituti and the Constitutions. This spiritual renewal has to strengthen the triptych: Identity, Community and Mission (GC 35 D2, n.19).

II. Apostolic Discernment

Encourage and focus our ongoing apostolic discernment in order to respond to the new demands of our vocation today, the directions of GC 35 and of the Holy Father. It is a call to the Society in different parts of the world and at every level to discern and chose “those physical and spiritual places” (GC 35 D2 and the Papal Discourse to GC 35) that represent important challenges to the spirit and the proclamation of the Gospel (frontiers). Father General said he is asking “every assistancy to reflect on what they can contribute to the world society.”

This apostolic discernment will require three strategies, among others: the determination of key apostolic frontiers in different regions and at every level of the Society; establishing regular and ongoing processes for initiating, implementing and evaluating the apostolic preferences of the Society, within the horizons of our commitment to faith, justice and dialogue with cultures and religions; and evaluating creatively and courageously all our apostolates in ongoing apostolic planning.

III. Collaboration with Others

The above goals will be impossible without the collaboration of others who share our vision and perspectives regarding the Gospel and Mission. Therefore, we will have to find strategies to develop new and “systematic” forms of collaboration with others in the spirit of Decree 6, n.29 of GC 34. “If we want to think dynamically about our mission and move forward, we must think of others and continue to search for forms of collaboration with laity,” Father General. He cautioned, though, that any systematic approach should “not create a hierarchy among laity.”

IV. Review and Reorganization of the Curia

Review, evaluate and reorganize the General Curia and all its administrative processes for a more agile, flexible and adequate service to the Society and in support of the General in his role as animator of the life and mission of the universal Society (GC 35, D5, n. 7.1). “The Curia is well organized with the experience of 460 years but has little time for reflection and consultation,” Father General said. He seeks to address this through enhanced delegation, simplifying correspondence and other structural changes announced in the coming months.

V. Formation

Give special attention to the challenges that formation presents today to Jesuit superiors and the central government of the Society. Implement directives already developed and officially published. Support programs of initial and ongoing formation in each Conference of Major Superiors that guarantee a solid human, spiritual, intellectual and ecclesial preparation and that equip our men for a better response to the new challenges of our mission as indicated by GC35. Monitor the different stages of formation to help bring to fulfillment the goals of each of the stages and transitions in formation.

“Formation is a time of testing and challenge” said Father General. One that requires “good accompaniment of men through each stage,” he added.

“In Rome, we are at a good moment.”
-Superior General Adolfo Nicolás

After briefing provincials on the strategic discernment, Father General offered a few comments on the current relationship between the Church and the Society. “In Rome, we are at a good moment,” he said. The General added, “Cardinal Levada (Prefect for the Congregation on the Doctrine of the Faith) wants to keep dialogue open … a great willingness for dialogue without judgment or punishment.”

Father General also took time to cite the important and unique role of Jesuit education in America. The “contribution of the United States to the world Society in higher education is exemplary; no other country has 28 colleges and universities,” said the Superior General. He recalled a quote from a friend in Japan commenting about the Jesuit identity of a local school, “it is not what happens in the chapel; when you enter the gate, everything is chapel.”

Father General concluded his remarks with a reminder to keep those less fortunate near our hearts. “Poverty is the wall of religious life; we must not be too far from the regular people.”