Held at the Manresa Jesuit Centre for Spirituality, the gathering brought together representatives from the Conference’s 15 provinces and one region to launch a two-year process of apostolic planning, expected to conclude in October 2028.
The process will help determine the Society’s shared priorities and strengthen cooperation across provincial boundaries, as Jesuit leaders consider how best to respond to the changing needs of their communities and the wider world.
The discussions were facilitated by Fr Francisco José Ruiz SJ, a former Provincial Superior of Spain who helped oversee the merger of the country’s Jesuit provinces in 2014, and Fr David McCallum SJ, who leads the Discerning Leadership programme in Rome.
A central theme was the responsibility of provincial superiors to look beyond the needs of their individual provinces and consider the wider mission of the Society of Jesus. Participants reflected on their shared identity, the challenges facing Jesuit communities and the opportunities for greater collaboration in the years ahead.
Reflecting on the implications of the discussions for the British Province, Fr Peter Gallagher SJ emphasised the importance of balancing long-term planning with the changing needs of Jesuit communities and works.
“The challenge is to align our own strategic planning with the wider priorities of the Society of Jesus across Europe, while remaining attentive to the needs of individual provinces and the evolving circumstances in which we work. We also need to ensure that our decisions are guided by a clear sense of our long-term mission, rather than simply responding to immediate pressures.”
Safeguarding was also on the agenda, with updates on developments across the Society of Jesus and within the European Conference. Delegates reviewed progress under the existing 2021–2026 Apostolic Plan and considered the priorities that will inform its successor.
The Dublin gathering followed the 2025 General Assembly in Bologna, Italy. That meeting focused on Jesuit formation, exploring how the Society can support men preparing for religious life while responding to their individual circumstances and the changing needs of its mission. For more information about joining the Society of Jesus please visit our Vocations website.
Alongside their discussions, delegates in Dublin took part in a programme of cultural and spiritual visits organised by the Irish Province. These included a visit to the National Gallery of Ireland to view Caravaggio’s The Taking of Christ, followed by a visit to St Francis Xavier Church on Gardiner Street, where they prayed at the tomb of Blessed John Sullivan SJ (an Irish Jesuit priest beatified in 2017). The group also visited Belvedere College SJ, celebrating Mass in the college chapel.
The gathering concluded with a renewed emphasis on shared responsibility for the Society’s mission, as Jesuit provinces across Europe prepare for the next stage of their collective planning.
With thanks to Jesuits Ireland for organising the gathering.
Photos courtesy of Jesuit Conference of European Provincials
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