Tertians take to the road

The European Tertainship based at Manresa is on the move, with many of the tertians on placement in different centres in Ireland and abroad. Three of the group are involved in the Jesuit Congregation in Rome. Tertianmaster Jan Van De Pol is the delegate of his province (The Netherlands) to GC35 in Rome. Dominic Robinson of the British Province is also there, translating from Italian to English, and Vlastimil Dufka from Slovakia is responsible for the liturgy at GC35. To find out more about the Tertians at Manresa, check their website.

Father Adolfo’s first press conference

Rome Reports, a TV news agency, has footage from Father Adolfo’s first press conference. View it here.

Father Adolfo meets the press

From the SJ Press Office, Rome: In view of the strong desire shown by the media for an ‘interview’ with Father General, Fr. General decided to meet the strong desire of the media for an ‘interview’ halfway. As this was not yet the moment for Father General to talk about the Congregation before he had received indications and even ‘mandates’, it was decided to invite the journalists for an encounter in which Father General would greet them and say a few words. No questions would be entertained. Around 65 journalists (three TV stations) accepted the conditions and came to meet him. Father General made a 20 minutes speech which was very well received. Then the journalists visited the aula of the Congregation.

You can find a translation of Father Nicolás’ talk, prepared by Vatican radio, in this PDF from SJ Press Office.

Fr Adolfo Nicolás meets the Pope

After a busy first week as newly elected Fr General, Fr Nicolás met with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and renewed his vows before him.

The Saturday audience began with a photo session and then the two sat down for a warm and friendly conversation. The Holy Father was pleased to hear that that the general congregation had formed a committee to study his letter to Father Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, the previous superior general, and then the conversation turned to Japan, where Fr. Nicolás had served for 33 years. Read more »

Fr General gives homily at Mass of Thanksgiving

The text of the homily delivered by Adolfo Nicolás at the Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated on Sunday 20 January has been issued by S.J. Press Office, Rome.

Above all I would like to say that this is not a message for the whole world. Rather, it is merely a simple homily; a prayerful reflection of today’s readings for us Jesuits who are here this afternoon.

The first reading taken from the prophet Isaiah briefly describes to us Christians our mission in the world. The prophet Isaiah tells us that we have all been called to serve, that we are here precisely to serve. It is a clear message regarding our mission as Jesuits, as Christians, as the people of God. God has made us servants and, in so doing, God finds delight. The Spanish version of this first reading says that God is proud of the servant, while the Italian version says that God “is satisfied”. Read more »

GC35: the Jesuit mission

Word from the SJ Press Office in Rome for 23 January:

At 09.00 sharp, the clear pure sound of Father Vlastimil Dufka’s clarinet pierced the conversation of those gathered in the Aula announcing the call to prayer. The music was an opportunity to raise the mind and heart to God before discussing the “down-to-earth” realities of our world and our lives as Jesuits. Read more »

GC35: beginning the second part

Word from the SJ Press Office in Rome for 22 January:

With the election of the new Superior General completed, the General Congregation now takes up the second part of its duties : governance questions, postulates that have been submitted and other questions arising. Read more »

Jesuit Congregation elects Superior General

Saturday, 19 January, saw the General Congregation of the Society of Jesus elect Father Adolfo Nicolás as their new Father General, the 29th successor to the order’s founder, Ignatius Loyola. He succeeds Fr Peter Hans Kolvenbach, whose resignation was accepted on the preceding Monday. Jesuits and their colleagues around the world, as well as many church leaders, have warmly welcomed the news.

Father Nicolás was born in Palencia in the north-west of Spain – not far from the Basque Country, of which Ignatius Loyola was a native – but he has spent much of his Jesuit life in Asia, especially in Japan, where he studied and worked as professor of Theology at Tokyo’s “Sophia University”, founded by the Jesuits in 1913. Read more »

Father General elected

Adolfo Nicolás (aged 71) was born in Spain, and joined the Jesuit Japanese Mission. He studied theology at Sofia University, Tokyo, and at the Gregorian University in Rome. A former Provincial of Japan, he has most recently been the Moderator of Jesuit Provincials in East Asia and Oceania.

The election followed four days of prayer and conversation by the 217 electors who came to Rome from all over the world. Read more »

Irish Cardinals welcome newly elected Father General of Jesuits

Press Release from Jesuit Communication Centre, 19 January 2008

Cardinal Sean Brady and Cardinal Desmond Connell are among the many people giving a warm welcome to Fr Adolfo Nicolás SJ, the new Father General of the world-wide Jesuit Order. Fr Nicolás was elected this morning, Saturday 19 January 2008 by two-hundred and seventeen electors who came from all over the world for the thirty-fifth General Congregation of the Order. Read more »

Adolfo Nicolás SJ: Six hopes for the General Congregation

When he left for Rome as an elector at GC35, Father Adolfo Nicolás SJ was Moderator of the Jesuit Conference of East Asia and Oceania. Shortly before leaving, he expressed his thoughts about – and hopes for – GC35 in Province Express, a newsletter of the Australian Jesuits.

Can we be realistic?

I can still remember GC34. They are fond, humorous and challenging memories. But we were not realistic. Just imagine: 220 Jesuits decide to tackle 46 topics, work on them for three months, produce 26 documents and solemnly handle and approve 416 complementary norms. Read more »

Personal response to election of Father Adolfo Nicolás

The following personal response to the election today of Fr Adolfo Nicolás as Superior General of the Jesuits has been sent by Fr Fernando Franco of the Jesuit Social Justice Secretariat.

We left the election hall only a few minutes ago. I am glad to announce that we have a new Superior General of the Society of Jesus. There is immense joy as the members of the Congregation approach the new General to greet and embrace him. Adolfo Nicolás SJ is a man from Asia, a theologian from Japan, but he was born in Palencia, Spain, in 1936. He represents a new generation of Spanish missionaries in Japan, after Fr. Arrupe. Read more »

Praying with the electors

The GC35 webpage has a prayer corner which is worth visiting. A video on the page combines the text of a prayer with the music of the Veni Creator. From the prayer:

Lord, during this congregation, may we be attentive to the voice of the Spirit. Grant us the gift of discernment and the desire to serve the Church. Strengthen our fidelity to the Pope and our desire to make you known. Give to us an authentic love for the poor and the least, the desire to work for justice and peace, the heart of a good shepherd, enthusiasm in promoting dialogue.

Click here to visit the page.