The 35th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus came to a close on 6 March, with a Mass at the Church of the Gesù.

In his homily at the Mass, Father Adolfo Nicolás said that the 225 Jesuits at the Congregation had come together in a spirit of love to accomplish something important, but that love and concern must now be extended to everyone.

‘This collaboration, this mutual help must
become our way of life', Fr Adolfo Nicolas said.

He said that guidelines and directives written for others would not change the Church and the Society. These bodies will only change if people in them know how to become new persons.

‘The question is not what we wish to do in community, but what kind of community men we need to become in order to remain obedient, men who know how to discern, who are always companions, always', said Fr Nicolás.

Fr Nicolás again highlighted the challenge for the Society to go out and proclaim the Gospel among those who most need to hear it. He said ‘going' did not simply mean getting on a plane, but also immersing oneself in the culture and life of the people.

‘We have understood that proclaiming the Gospel requires that the Word of God be visible', he said. ‘It is not enough to proclaim it with our lips. Visibility is necessary, visibility in our life, in our work, in our openness to others, in service, in forgiveness, in compassion, in reconciliation, in our capacity to help others become healthier, freer, more human.'

The final two days of the General Congregation involved reviewing emendations to the previously discussed documents and voting from the assembly to approve or reject the emendations. It was a long process, as some documents elicited as many as 48 emendations. This was then followed by a vote from the assembly on the entire document.

Before the official closing at the Church of Gesù, an informal ceremony was held where the Father General expressed his gratitude those the many who had contributed to the success of the Congregation.

The translators who had contemplated the assembly from their booth on the second floor of the aula assigned humorous awards (dubbed ‘Adolfo Awards') to several members of the Congregation.

Outcomes of the General Congregation

Six decrees were approved by the General Congregation. The full texts of the decrees themselves are yet to be released, but here are some short summaries of what to expect.

This document places the Jesuit story in today's context. It is about sustaining the mission of the Jesuits in companionship with others who share the Society's calling.

This document affirms obedience as central to the mission and unity of the Society. Taking as a model the experience of St Ignatius and the First Companions, it places obedience in its contemporary context. It also includes a discussion of the Fourth Vow.

This document outlines some directions for the current structure of governance of the Society. Its guiding principles include a perspective of greater universality, the streamlining and modernisation of governance structures, and greater articulation of Ignatian values and ways of proceeding.

Further to work done in GC34, this document reflects on ways in which collaboration in mission calls the Society to a new and often challenging renewal. It asks how Jesuit works might be sustained with non-Jesuits in leadership, as well as what formation elements are needed to ensure growth in the spirit and practice of mission.

This document reaffirms the Society's mission, particularly to those on the frontiers. Where once those frontiers included remote geographical places, today the frontiers need to be re-imagined. The document includes a call to establish ‘right relationships' with God, with one another, and with creation.

Pope Benedict's guidance to the General Congregation came through his letter addressed to delegates on 10 January, as well as his audience with them on 21 February. This document provides a response from the delegates, outlining among other things the Society's adherence to the faith and teaching of the church and its willingness to achieve or continue what the Pope calls on them to achieve or initiate.

A number of other topics that were discussed have been entrusted to the care of the Ordinary Governance of the Society.