As we look back on the past year, it is striking just how wide-ranging and interconnected the life of the Jesuits in Britain has been — from global Church moments and ecological advocacy to parish life, education, migration, and the formation of new Jesuits. What follows is a snapshot of some of the stories that shaped 2025.
At the heart of the year were major moments in the life of the universal Church. The death of Pope Francis, the first Jesuit Pope, and the election of Pope Leo marked a period of grief, gratitude and renewal, reflected across our communities.
Concern for creation remained a defining thread throughout the year. Jesuit Missions led a sustained COP campaign, amplifying Ignatian voices on climate justice and solidarity with those most affected by environmental harm. This was complemented by the work of the Laudato Si’ Research Institute, including the launch of a new film, a book on Laudate Deum, and a major conference. Our commitment to responsible investment, a key part of our wider integral ecology efforts, continued quietly, seeking to align resources with values, as highlighted in a Financial Times' Mandate Wire interview. Together, these initiatives demonstrated how faith-based research and advocacy can speak credibly into global debates.
Closer to home, there were encouraging signs of renewal in Church life in the UK. Interviews with Reuters and The Economist exploring why young people are embracing Catholicism revealed a hunger for depth, community and meaning. This was mirrored in the life of the growing Jesuit young adult groups in London, Glasgow and Edinburgh -from pilgrimages such as the Camino, summer trips, to the visit of Archbishop Cushley to celebrate Christ the King.
Parish life also featured prominently. A year-long synodal journey of parish communities of the 8 Jesuit churches culminated with the national parish conference, where all came together to explore what it means to listen, discern and walk together. Milestones were celebrated too, including the 70th anniversary of the Jesuit Polish parish in London and the completion of restoration work at the Holy Name Church in Manchester, marked by the return of its bells— tangible signs of continuity, care and hope.
In education, the Jubilee year brought moments of celebration and thanksgiving to Jesuit schools. A Mass with the Provincial gathered school communities together, strong academic results were celebrated, and students from Wimbledon College travelled to Rome, where they met Pope Leo— a formative experience many will carry for life.
The plight of refugees and people seeking asylum remained central to Jesuit witness. JRS UK responded robustly to new asylum measures in the UK, publishing reports, offering analysis and continuing to accompany those most affected. The year also marked 45 years of the Jesuit Refugee Service globally, celebrated through events including a theatre project that gave voice to lived experience and resilience.
This year saw the showcasing of both old masters and new talent. Campion Hall unveiled a “lost” Flemish masterpiece, Christ Blessing, now hanging in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. Contemporary religious painter, Ruben Ferreira, exhibited his powerful portraits of Catholic martyrs at Mount Street. We also marked the tenth anniversary of INIGO, a play about St Ignatius of Loyola written by renowned playwright and director, Jonathan Moore.
There were also moments of ecumenical and public witness. An ecumenical choir from Farm Street Church undertook a pilgrimage to Rome, and the wider ecumenical journey of the Church was highlighted by the meeting between King Charles III and Pope Leo— a moment rich in symbolism and shared commitment.
Across Europe, Jesuits came together to mark the feast of St Ignatius with a joint video, reminding us of the shared mission that unites the Society across borders. That sense of connection was echoed in the movement of people within the Society: new arrivals from overseas, first vows, final vows, ordinations to the diaconate, and gatherings of superiors in Rome, including an audience with Pope Leo.
At our Mount Street recording studio, the second series of Things I Wish I Knew, the Thinking Faith podcast, was recorded, featuring new voices and fresh insights. Pray As You Go, our online prayer platform, also launched a range of new content, including Pilgrim Stories, with interviews recorded with listeners in New York.
Academic and spiritual life flourished in the British Province this year. Campion Hall celebrated the Pedro Arrupe Summer School and the graduation of eight scholars. Our spirituality centres in Wales and Glasgow hosted numerous retreats including The Way’s writers’ retreat, while the London Jesuit Centre's activities included the launch of The Condensed Copleston. The Jesuit Institute’s ongoing work with prisoners, covered by Vatican News, continues to create spaces for reflection, dialogue and transformation.
Our Archives continue to illuminate the past and enrich the present, with a new book on the Second World War through Jesuit Archives available early next year. You can find out more about this in the latest issue of Jesuits & Friends. Meanwhile, the Heythrop Library has upgraded its system, making its rich collection of theological and philosophical works even more accessible to readers and researchers.
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The Communications team has been working to share what’s happening across our Province and help us all stay more connected. You can follow our new Instagram account and enjoy our regular video content on YouTube. We invite you to subscribe to our e-newsletter and join the conversation.
The year was also one of loss and remembrance. We gave thanks for the lives and ministries of Fr Bob and Fr Bernard, whose deaths prompted tributes reflecting deep gratitude for their service.
Finally, the year was marked by moments of grace and hope in the wider Church, including the beatifications of two Jesuits who remind us of the cost — and the fruitfulness — of faithful witness in times of extreme hardship. We pray for Eduard Profittlich SJ and Victor Dillard SJ.
As we step into the New Year, these stories together paint a picture of a mission that is alive, responsive and rooted in faith: attentive to the signs of the times, committed to justice, and grounded in the Ignatian call to find God in all things.
We wish you a blessed New Year and look forward to sharing more news with you in 2026.
