Jesuit Collaborative

What is the vision for a sustainable structure for the Ministry of the Spiritual Exercises?  That’s the central question underlying the communal discernment process that The Jesuit Collaborative is leading across the provinces.  The process has three phases.

Phase I is underway and involves a broad consultation including the full range of institutions and organizations involved in the ministry, Jesuit-sponsored ones as well as those that participate in Ignatian ministry and are not sponsored by the Society of Jesus, e.g., diocesan parishes.  Prior to meeting, participants have been given reflection questions to help them prepare.  Participants have engaged in an apostolic Examen, communally identifying and prioritizing desolations, disordered attachments, consolations, and invitations.  Based on the invitations, they have offered concrete recommendations.  A few weeks after the sessions, participants are being invited to respond to an electronic survey, again ranking the results.  Phase I took place in the New York Province this past June with 28 participants in Rochester and 36 participants in Manhattan.  The New England Province conducted Phase I earlier this month with 46 participants gathering in Watertown, MA (Click here to view photos).

In Phase II, The Jesuit Collaborative staff will lead selected participants in a review of Phase I and a prayerful consideration of prioritized lists. Articulate representatives from Phase I will speak to the spirit of their groups and suggestions for action. Participants will also gather input from their colleagues across ministries, including but not limited to retreat ministry.  The group may also invite individuals knowledgeable in the Exercises to meet with them.   Each of these activities will help in discerning a vision for the future ministries of the Spiritual Exercises.  The process charges Phase II with developing two approaches for provincial consideration.  Phase III will involve discernment by the provincials.

In his allocution to 35th General Congregation, Pope Benedict called for an increased focus on the Spiritual Exercises: “Finally I invite you to reserve a specific attention to the ministry of the Spiritual Exercises that has been characteristic of your Society from its origins.” Decree 6 of General Congregation 35, “Collaboration at the Heart of Mission,” places the Spiritual Exercises at heart of the formation of Ignatian partners.   In his December 2009 letter to each Jesuit conference, Fr. General Nicolas called for formation of young Jesuits to become specialists in the Exercises, indicating it is a priority for the renewal of the Society and also a means of sharing the Jesuit charism with lay colleagues.  The apostolic discernment process being led by The Jesuit Collaborative will help direct provincial responses to these requests and invitations and form a vision for the future of the ministry.