The year 2008 began with a significant meeting of the Society of Jesus in Rome involving delegates from each of the Society's Provinces. The 35th General Congregation began on 7 January and continued until the 6 March.

After the election of Fr Adolfo Nicolás as the new Father General, the Congregation discussed a range of issues related to the mission, structure and identity of the Society.

Decrees of the 35th General Congregation

Decrees are official pronouncements from a General Congregation of the Society of Jesus providing direction for Jesuits. The need for decrees arises out of changes in the Church or broader society, or proposed questions on Jesuit identity and organisation. Decrees can serve a legislative or juridical purpose, or provide direction on a specific challenge facing the Society.

The decrees from the 35th General Congregation were:

Decree Two: A Fire That Kindles Other Fires
Decree Three: Challenges to Our Mission Today, Sent to the Frontiers
Decree Four: Obedience in the Life of the Society of Jesus
Decree Five: Governance at the Service of Universal Mission
Decree Six: Collaboration at the Heart of Mission

For an overview of the General Congregation and the process of putting the decrees together, read this Historical Introduction.

A number of other issues were referred to the ordinary government of the Society. Read about them here.

Reflections

Overview: What do the decrees say?

Decree Two: Identity - A glance at the new decree, by Fr James Corkery SJ

Decree Three: From Centre to Frontiers (Part one) (Part two) by Fr Adrian Lyons SJ

Decree Three: What's new in the Decree on Mission? by Fr Marcos Recolons SJ

Decree Four: Obedience in Service by Fr Andrew Hamilton SJ

More reflections coming soon.