The largest gathering of Jesuits in the United States in nine years will take place June 15 – 19 at Loyola Marymount University.
Nearly 300 members of the Society of Jesus from the United States and Canada — from first-year novices to men in their third year of theology — are meeting to discuss the “Global Mission in a Digital Age.”
In a statement on last year’s Communications Day, Pope Francis said, “The digital world can be an environment rich in humanity. A network not of wires but of people.”
This meeting, just three months before Pope Francis’ visit to the U.S., is an effort to learn more about the digital world and how it affects the Jesuit mission.
“The mission of the Society of Jesus is no longer restricted to a Jesuit’s own province, or his own country, because all Jesuits need a global perspective on their ministry,” said David Godleski, S.J., the delegate for formation (training) and Jesuit life for the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States, which organized the meeting. “We’re an international society, and we’re called to minister around the world. Knowledge of the digital world is part of that.”
The meeting, the first in the U.S. since 2006, is being held to give these Jesuits an opportunity — during their formation — to meet everyone else. “The guys in formation are excited about getting together,” said Father Godleski.
Speakers will include Matt Malone, S.J., America magazine’s editor-in-chief; Timothy Kesicki, S.J., president of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States; Tom Rosica, C.S.B., CEO of Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation; and Peter Balleis, S.J., international director of Jesuit Refugee Service.
