Opening Mass of the Meeting of Major Superiors
After a two-day retreat personally guided by Fr General Arturo Sosa and a pilgrimage to the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome on 19 October, the major superiors of the Society of Jesus worldwide are spending this week, from 20 to 25 October, in plenary discussions and spiritual conversations to chart a way forward for the Society of Jesus to best serve the Church and the faithful.
The 100 participants of the Meeting of Major Superiors (MMS)—only the third to be held in Jesuit history—include provincials, regional superiors, and conference presidents, along with the General Council and some major officials from the General Curia. Fr Miguel Garaizábal, Regional Superior of Thailand, is the oldest participant at 83 years old.
Malaysia-Singapore Regional Superior Fr Francis Lim carries the Jubilee cross during the procession through the Holy Door
The MMS focuses on dialogue, discernment, and shared vision, touching on several key aspects of Jesuit life and mission, in particular, the Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAPs); collaboration, including mission partner formation; the mission of the major superior; safeguarding; governance structures; and vocation promotion.
Australian Provincial Fr Quyen Vu presented how the UAPs have inspired their ministries across the province. He cited several examples, such as the online Ignatian Murmuration (IM) initiative of Fr Michael Hansen and Jesuit Ignatian Spirituality Australia, Jesuit Social Service’s accompaniment of vulnerable groups, the Cardoner Project’s outreach to young adults, and the “10,000 for 10” initiative, which seeks to plant or preserve 10,000 trees across Catholic religious communities to mark the 10th anniversary of Laudato sí.
Opening session of the Meeting of Major Superiors
“As Provincial, this has been both a learning journey and a pilgrimage of faith for me. When we received the Preferences from Father General, we had to discern how they might apply in our own context,” shared Fr Vu.
“The easy temptation was to adopt a ‘tick-the-boxes’ approach – saying, for example, ‘We already work in spirituality, so the first Preference is covered,’ or ‘We already engage with the poor through Jesuit Social Services, so the second Preference is addressed.’
“That would have been a missed opportunity, and we would have overlooked much grace. But through prayer, meetings, and a range of discernment processes, we’ve been able to go deeper. I feel we have truly listened to the call to change. Of course, we are not finished – the journey continues. We remain pilgrims.”
Australian Provincial Fr Quyen Vu speaks about the impact of the UAPs across their province
For the Society of Jesus, this gathering marks another step towards greater universality. While the participants discern the challenges faced by the church in their local contexts, there is also an awareness that they are united as one body and soul in service of the universal mission.
“I’m coming from Myanmar where the situation is very tense and difficult,” said Fr Girish Santiago, the Regional Superior. “Getting away from all that and being able to reflect with others in solidarity will be a big opportunity for me.”
Myanmar Regional Superior Fr Girish Santiago presides over the Eucharistic celebration on the first day of their retreat
On 24 October, the delegates, led by Father General, met Pope Leo XIV during an audience at the Vatican. Fr General Sosa reiterated the Society’s availability for the universal mission guided by the Society’s Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAPs), which Pope Francis confirmed in 2019.
Pope Leo affirmed that the UAPs are “frontiers calling for discernment and courage”. Among these frontiers, he identified the path of synodality within the Church, along with reconciliation and justice, and artificial intelligence.
“Today, I repeat: the Church needs you at the frontiers — whether they be geographical, cultural, intellectual or spiritual. These are places of risk, where familiar maps are no longer sufficient. There, like Ignatius and the Jesuit martyrs who followed him, you are called to discern, innovate, and trust in Christ.”
Pope Leo XIV with delegates of the Meeting of Major Superiors | Photo by Vatican Media
Noting the Society’s long-standing presence in serving the needs of humanity through spiritual guidance, intellectual formation, and work among the poor and vulnerable, Pope Leo encouraged the Jesuits to meet people in their restlessness, in their search for meaning, whether in retreat houses, universities, social media, parishes, or informal spaces.
“The urgency to proclaim the Gospel today is as great as in the time of St Ignatius. The Lord says through the prophet Isaiah: ‘I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not see it?’ (Isa 43:19) Your mission, dear brothers, is to help the world perceive this newness—to sow hope where despair seems dominant, to bring light where darkness reigns.”
To fulfill this mission, Pope Leo urged the Jesuits to “remain close to Jesus” through private prayer, celebration of the Sacraments, devotion to his Sacred Heart, and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
He added:
“In a different yet still powerful way, remain with him by recognising his presence in community life. From this rootedness, you will have the courage to walk anywhere: to speak truth, to reconcile, to heal, to labour for justice, to set captives free. No frontier will be beyond your reach if you walk with Christ.”
Reflecting on the week-long gathering, Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific President Fr Jun Viray noted discernment in common and listening to the Spirit as the central themes guiding the major superiors during their sessions. He also emphasised “steadfastness to the mission” as a key takeaway.
For articles, interviews and live streams of each morning prayer, visit https://www.jesuits.global/mms2025/.
To read the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s address to the major superiors, click here.
This post was updated on 30 October.
