All the major superiors of the Jesuit Conference of South Asia (JCSA), headed by Fr Stanislaus D’Souza, along with the General Assistants, Frs. Vernon D’Cunha and M K George gathered at Christ Hall, Calicut, Kerala on 18 – 24 February 2024. During the six days, the Major Superiors deliberated on several issues and took many decisions for the good of the Society of Jesus in South Asia and the Society in general.

Continuing with the last JCSA meeting in Pune, the main concern of the Major superiors was the process of Re-imagining and Re-structuring of the Society of Jesus in South Asia. A Resource Team headed by Fr Dionysius Vaz, shared with the Major superiors the inputs they prepared and the way forward. Afterward the Major Superiors shared among themselves in different groups the measures taken in their Provinces regarding the reimagining process and burning Issues.

One full day was given to Fr Sebastian Jeerakassery, the General Treasurer, to explain to the group the Statutes on Poverty (SOP) and the Instruction on Administration and Finance (IAF). Fr Jeera, who was thorough with the topic, meticulously went through the whole book to provide a clear understanding of our way of proceeding.

Another day was spent on the sharing by the Secretariats. The different secretaries of the Conference before sharing their report with the Major Superiors had a meeting with the coordinators of the forums and networks under them. They summarized the report under different headings like main focus & objectives, programs & activities, achievements & challenges for the academic year 2023, and future plans and expectation from the Major Superiors. After the Secretaries presented their reports and interacted, the Major superiors acknowledged and appreciated the good work done by the Secretaries and assured them of support.

Fr Vernon had a session on the governance in the Society of Jesus and cautioned the Major Superiors about the problems in vocation promotion, planning for personnel within and beyond the province/region needs especially of the Conference and global Society. Fr Brian Paulson, the president of JCCU spoke about the challenges they face in the United States and Canada. Fr Jesu Benjamin requested the support from Major superiors on the occasion of the centenary of the AICUF and its new building.

The Major Superiors spent a good amount of time in faith sharing at the beginning of the meeting and in spiritual conversation during the meeting. At the end of the meeting, the budget of Jesuit Conference of India for the financial year 2024-25 was discussed and passed, the three outgoing Major Superiors, Fr Roland, Fr Donald and Fr Melvil were felicitated and about fifteen small and big decisions were taken.

All the participants were happy to appreciate the hospitality they received from the host province, Kerala. The host Provincial, Fr E P Mathew and the team, the Christ Hall Community in particular, went out of their way to make the meeting a memorable one. The varieties of delicious food served were highly praised. Above all the company of the senior citizens at table and in the campus added flavor to their stay at Christ Hall.

– Thomas Perumalil, SJ
Socius to POSA