The encounter continues- day 3 of GC36

The General Congregation continues  in small group meetings enabling the 215 delegates to get to know one another in different language groups.  The group sharing includes not only discussions about the identity and mission of the Society but also invite the participants to share  morsels of their life story.
What continues it amaze one is the variety and richness of peoples' personal and mission stories.  The variety of work Jesuits do in the world  from astronomy to working with tribal and marginalised groups, to working in education and spirituality, ecology and pastoral work to name but a few.  All this  is indicative of the different gifts members bring to the Congregation.

There is  a retreat like atmosphere of silence, prayer, discussion and reflection.  All this is done  in the the light of choosing a new General in the days to come.  This process should begin next Friday.   

Meeting of cultures and change of cultures -Day 2 of GC 36

The sun is shining in Rome and the Congregation this morning began with song and  prayer. A German and Chilean Jesuit Scholastic led the assembly in a Taize chant and spiritual reflection.

Everyone is now getting accustomed on how to use their Tablet- this new technology was a challenge at the beginning but now members are getting more familiar with its use.

The morning and afternoon was spent in different language groups centring around focussed questions on the documents which were prepared before the Congregation.  The great gift of these groups is not only a lively exchange of reflections on different matters relating to the identity and mission of the Society of Jesus  but also encuntering   one another from different corners of the world.  Such a variety of backgrounds, difference of cultures, riches of work experience makes these meetings so fruitful and life giving.  The increasing demographic changes with the majority of delegates coming from the Southern Hemiphere brings new cultural perspectives in being a Jesuit today.   Amidst the difference there is a unity and solidarity in companionship and mission.

This group work is also part of the preparation in helping the delegates to get to know one another  before the election of a new General.  It is indeed an experience of the universality of the Society of Jesus and the depth and variety of service it renders to the people of God where it is present.  It is indeed a privileged moment to witness this.

The demographic shift is one  point of interest that has captured many peoples' attention about General Congregation 36.  It  is the growing presence of active members from provinces of the global south. For GC 35 this region already represented the majority (54%). Now, however, their percentage has increased to represent 59% of the Congregation. Among other aspects, this reflects the growing number of vocations in Asia and Africa in these past years.

Asia and Oceania have grown from 28% to 33%. A third of the Congregation comes from the East, mainly from the South Asia Conference, and to be more precise from the provinces of India. 72 members of the Congregation will come from these regions in the East. Africa, also, has grown from 8% to 10%. 21 members of the Congregation will come from provinces in Africa.

The greatest novelty is that almost all the electors coming from these regions are born in these continents.    

Latin America’s presence, however, has diminished. In GC 35 their representation was 18% and in GC 36 it will be only 16%, just slightly above the participation from North America (15%) which has maintained stable. This drop is due largely to the restructuring of provinces, which has reduced from 16 provinces and two regions to only 12 provinces.

The greatest diminishment, however, is from Europe. This region has dropped from 31% at GC 35 to 26% at GC 36. As a result Europe is no longer the largest, nevertheless, continues to have the most members represented by right of office. 56 Jesuits from European provinces will participate in the Congregation, of which 35 are elected members, 14 are provincials and 7 are members by right of office.

	GC 35	GC 36
Africa	8%	10%
Latin America	18%	16%
Asia and Oceania	28%	33%
North America	15%	15%
Europe	31%	26%

Day number 1 of GC 36

The most moving moment of the opening morning of GC 36 was Fr. General offering his resignation to the Congregation  and asking that this request be granted.  After the request was granted  words  of appreciation were shared in thanking Fr Adolfo for his leadership which was conducted in such a collaborative style and with a kindness, humility, simplicity and good humour which touched so many people.  His attention to universality and depth in mission and service, to governance issues, his support of the intellectual apostolate, his wisdom and calmness in dealing with all kinds of people and situations were but a few of the characteristics mentioned.  After a number of standing ovations he took his place at the back of the Aula in his designated  chair as a member of the  Congregation.  It was indeed a touching moment for all present and a moment of deep gratitude for his life and service as General.

In the afternoon Delegates were divided into groups to discuss various topics but above all to share their vocation and a little of their life story.  The richness and diversity of backgrounds, the depth of experiences of works  and the sharing of dreams for the Congregation led to conversations of real depth.     The day ended with Mass on the Feast Day of St. Francis Borgia, the third Superior General of the Society.

Society of Jesus invited to dare the audacity of the improbable at the GC 36 opening Mass

GC 36 has begun with the opening Mass at the Gesu Church in Rome.  The Gesu Church is the mother Church of the Society of Jesus and holds the tomb of St Ignatius of Loyola.  Over 300 concelebrants took part and Fr. Bruno Cadore OP,  the Master of the Dominican Order at the invitation of Fr. General SJ, was the chief celebrant and homilist.

Taking the Sunday readings of 2nd October , 2016 and inspired by the Gospel of today which begun with the apostles asking Jesus "Lord increase our faith' he continued to say this pressing request to the Lord is the most beautiful prayer one can imagine to open the celebration of the General Congregation.  He continued to  say that in the Gospel of today Jesus point out two reasons  why this prayer is so right.  This faith is necessary-even if it remains as modest  in appearance  as a mustard seed- because it is about daring to aim for the improbable:constantly calling the Society to dare the  audacity of the improbable

 and the evangelical witness to do it with the humility of those who know that, in this service where the human engages all his energy, everything depends on God.

In short this was was a call to the Jesuits to be courageous in their deliberations during this Congregation.  The deliberations begin tomorrow morning at 9.15am, 3rd October, 2016 and  may they be filled with the Holy Spirit and with the gift of courage.

 

Opening Mass for GC36

It is lovely cool morning in Rome.  The night rains have cleansed the air and there is a pleasant and peaceful atmosphere in the gardens of the Jesuit Curia. Everyone has arrived for the opening Mass at 5pm this afternoon in the Gesu Church.  There is an air of joy and expectation amongst the delegates coming from different parts of the globe.  Many know one another from former gatherings or places of studies.  The Jesuit communities in Rome have made huge preparations to accommodate over 220 delegates.  It is indeed a moment of blessing and grace for the Society of Jesus as it elects a new General and renews and reinvigorates its mission to the peoples of the world.  The success of this Congregation depends  on all our prayers and the docility of the delegates to the urging and voice of the Holy Spirit.  Pray for us. 

The gathering has begun for GC36 in Rome

Jesuits from all over the world are gathering to elect a new General and discuss the renewal and updating of the mission of the Society of Jesus in the world today.  It is wonderful to meet so many from the diversity of cultures and continents where Jesuits work  live and work. These are priviliged moments of meeting one another and getting to know the different contexts of the work of the Society of Jesus from Syria to Sri Lanka, from Delhi to Dublin. In the orientation hour given to all the Delegates from the different Provinces and Regions around  it is amazing to sit in a newly restored Aula/ Hall where all the proceedings will take place and to receive instruction on the use of a Tablet which enables delegates  to vote, make interventions, receive translations of interventions and outlines the plan and proceedings of each day.  New technology has been introduced to the proceedings which will hopefully, allow proceedings move more smoothly and effectively.  The opening Mass takes place in the Gesu Church on Sunday 2nd October, 2016 at 5pm.

Looking forward to GC36 in Rome

The beginning  of GC 36 in Rome on the 2nd October 2016 is an exciting event for the Society of Jesus.  It will elect a new General and discuss on how it can strengthen and refocus its mission in the world today.

 It is a world that has changed since General Congregation 35.  Two major changes which have occurred is the urgency of the ecology issue and the suffering of people living and fleeing from conflict zones.  Pope Francis has given great leadership on how the Church can respond to these issues.