Fr. General at Mass of Thanksgiving

General Congregation 35 n a cold but sunny January 7, 2008, Fr. Thomas challenges facing the . All congregations ORegan, SJ, provincial, Fr. Michael Boughton, SJ, and deal with two important concerns: What would best help Fr. Ronald Mercier, SJ, from the New England Province the Society serve God in the Church for the world? What of Jesuits participated in the Opening Mass for the 35th would preserve and advance Jesuit religious life? How is General Congregation of the Society of Jesus. God inviting us to discern the , God’s greater glory, today? Since the first official approval of the Order by 7 What is a General Congregation? Paul III in 1540, there have been 26 Congregations A General Congregation, the highest governing body summoned to elect a General and 8 called only to review in the Society of Jesus, is summoned on the death of a and direct the work of the Society. General to elect his successor or when a General asks The 35th General Congregation was unique in that, to resign; in the latter case, with the Pope’s permission, for the first time in the history of the Society, a General the Congregation may accept the resignation and elect a Congregation was called by the Father General to elect his new General. At the same time it may address issues and successor.

Key Events n January 19 • Delegates elected Fr. Adolfo Nicolás as the new Superior General Fr. Regan wrote: “On Saturday, in a very moving ceremony, the delegated elected a dynamic and saintly Jesuit, Fr. Adolfo Nicolás, SJ, to assume the post of Superior General. A Spaniard, he has spent most of his adult life in Asia. He has a very comprehensive view of the modern world, growing out of his own extensive experiences. Most of all, he is clearly a man of deep prayer. The delegates are simply delighted at his election and the spirit of hope that he engenders.” His Holiness Benedict XVI with the new Fr. General, Adolfo Nicolás n The next phase n January 20 • Fr. General Adolfo Nicolás offered first Father General has created four commissions to Mass study: Jesuit Mission and Identity Today, Obedience, Fr. General Adolfo Nicolás presides and preaches at a Mass Collaboration with Others, and Governance Questions of Thanksgiving for all the Jesuits in Rome and many within the Society, based on extensive discussions among friends of the Society at the , followed members of the Congregation. These commissions are by a reception at the Gregorian University. tasked with developing strategies and will eventually submit written documents to address the key issues facing n January 26 • His Holiness Benedict XVI received the Society of Jesus today. Fr. General Father General was received by Pope Benedict XVI. In a short but cordial encounter Father Nicolás, following the i Visit www.sjweb.info/35 custom of previous Generals, renewed his vow of obedience ▼ to the Pope.