After five inspiring days of spiritual reflection, cultural exchange, and international networking, the 11th World Union of Jesuit Alumni (WUJA) Congress, held in Yogyakarta from 29 July to 2 August, concluded with Jesuit alumni eager to bring the spirit of service to every corner of the world. Under the theme “United in Spirit, Leading with Purpose,” the congress brought together delegates from 57 countries to shape the future direction of the global Jesuit alumni community amid an increasingly complex world.
A five-day journey: From Ganjuran to Prambanan
The congress began with a warm welcome at Sanata Dharma University (USD), where delegates from around the world experienced the inclusive spirit and rich cultural heritage of Yogyakarta. The opening day was marked by Mass at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Ganjuran, a place that symbolises the harmonious encounter between the Catholic faith and local Javanese culture. In his homily, Fr Albertus Bagus Laksana SJ emphasised that this gathering was not merely a physical meeting but a profound spiritual renewal that touches the heart.
The second day unfolded with the official opening ceremony at the Driyarkara Auditorium. The presence of the Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, introduced alumni to the Javanese philosophy of Sastra Gendhing, inviting them to discover harmony amid diversity, much like the interwoven melodies of a gamelan orchestra. On the same day, Fr Arturo Sosa SJ, Superior General of the Society of Jesus, delivered a keynote address challenging Jesuit alumni to embrace the “new frontiers,” including the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI), while remaining firmly committed to reconciliation and justice.
Fr General Arturo Sosa SJ
The third day coincided with the Feast of St Ignatius of Loyola, celebrated with a Thanksgiving Mass at the Driyarkara Auditorium. The day’s central theme focused on Ignatian leadership in a fractured world. Alongside thought-provoking panel discussions on integrating faith and justice, young delegates participated in Lego Serious Play sessions to reflect on the meaning of leadership through creative collaboration. The day concluded with a spiritual visit to Borobudur Temple and a fellowship dinner at De Britto Jesuit High School, showcasing the richness of contemporary Indonesian culture.
The emotional highlight came on the fourth evening during the Gala Dinner at the Prambanan Temple Complex. Beneath the grandeur of Indonesia’s largest Hindu temple, alumni celebrated WUJA’s 70th anniversary. The evening also marked the ceremonial handover of the host nation, with Loyola College, India, officially announced as the host of the 2030 WUJA Congress.
The Yogyakarta Manifesto 2026
The Congress reached its culmination with the adoption of 10 resolutions and The Yogyakarta Manifesto, a declaration of identity and commitment by Jesuit alumni worldwide to respond to today’s global challenges.
Among its key commitments is the conviction that the world needs not merely organisations but authentic communities that genuinely live out the values they proclaim. The Manifesto also affirms diversity as a gift, with Yogyakarta serving as a living reminder that harmony flourishes when differences are embraced and that dialogue is always stronger than conflict.
The document reaffirms leadership as an act of service rooted in humility and guided by conscience. The alumni pledged to listen before speaking, stand alongside the poor, the marginalised, and the forgotten, and become faithful companions in building a more just and compassionate world.
Care for our common home also forms a central commitment, integrating ecological responsibility into every initiative as part of their shared mission to safeguard creation.
The Manifesto concludes with a powerful commissioning spirit: delegates leave Yogyakarta not simply as congress participants but as companions sent forth to their families, workplaces, and communities to become signs of hope in a wounded world.
