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Our Jesuit Heritage: General Congregation 36 Meets in Rome

10/12/2016

With General Congregation 36 now meeting in Rome, our global Jesuit community is experiencing a historic moment. GC36, as it is called, is only the 36th time a Congregation has convened since the Society of Jesus was formed in 1541.

A General Congregation is called for when a new Superior General needs to be elected or, less often, when circumstances of the day necessitate a meeting for discussion and discernment of issues. GC36 is happening due to the former -- Superior General, Father Adolfo Nicolás, has stepped down and a new Superior General must be elected. Father Nicolás, at the age of 80 and with the permission and blessing of Pope Francis, has chosen to resign, making way for younger, more robust leadership.

The selection of a new Superior General is a momentous task. He will be following in the footsteps of Ignatius of Loyola, the first Superior General. The Superior General is entrusted with the sacred duty of protecting and promoting the Jesuit mission of finding God in all things, loving all mankind, and working for justice and equality for all people.

Brophy asks that you keep the GC36 participants in your prayers as they gather to determine who will lead and guide the Jesuits, and all of our Jesuit communities, well into the 21st Century. A leader with great wisdom, great love, and great devotion to our Jesuit mession has never been more crucial. With devout faith, love, and trust, we pray for the Jesuit Fathers gathered in Rome as they choose our next leader who will, in the words of St. Ignatius..."Go forth and set the world on fire."

FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR GC36 NEWS AND MORE INFORMATION.