Ever-widening vision, total availability and a union of hearts – Fr General’s recommendations to our Province

Fr Arturo Sosa, Superior General of the Society of Jesus, made a clear call yesterday to every Jesuit and all companions in misson in our Province, recommending an ever-widening vision, total availability and a union of hearts. Jesuits and non-Jesuits from all over the EuroMediterranean Province of Malta, Italy, Albania and Romania have gathered for a three-day meeting in Sassone, Italy, for Superiors and Directors of works.

In addressing the conditions for the Province to move forwards in hope and unity, Fr General placed emphasis on each person having an encompassing vision, one that is not constrained by horizons that can be narrowed by personal attachments, attachment to particular works or to territorial or ethnic identity. ‘What I ask of you is to grow always more in apostolic availability and interior liberty. Let us take Jesus as our model,’ Fr General said, ‘Jesus who didn’t let any attachments come in the way of His mission, not even the attachment to being God.’

The movement towards a total union of hearts was also emphasised by Fr General. The EUM Province has faced challenges in the past and is called to continue to overcome today’s challenges of a sense of deep unity amidst diverse cultures, territories and languages, and for all to grow in fraternal respect and trust.

Recommendations for the new EUM Provincial

Fr General reiterated a number of recommendations for the newly appointed Provincial Ronny Alessio SJ.

– To give priority to investing energy and human resources into the implementation of the new plan of governance presented during the Province Assembly in February 2024

– To further develop a Province Apostolic Plan after extensive consultation with Jesuits and non-Jesuits, who are all collaborators in Christ’s mission through the Society of Jesus

– To create and offer formation for misson in the Society, for Jesuits and non-Jesuits

– To create and maintain ongoing and transparent communication of government processes and of the implementation of the apostolic plan, so that there will be a great union of heart and spirit among Jesuits and other companions in mission, reinforcing the sense of one apostolic body. “St Ignatius chose to be free from the constraints of monastery walls, in order to create the best conditions for expansive, face to face and multi-cultural circles and channels of communication,” Fr Sosa said.

Fr General thanked Fr Roberto del Riccio for his service as Provincial and his availability, generosity and serenity throughout the process which led to the nomination of a new Provincial. Fr Sosa also addressed Fr Ronny Alessio and thanked him for his availability in taking on the role of Provincial, for the trust Fr Ronny showed and for the hope he inspires while turning to the Lord for His help in carrying this new responsibility.

Fr General concluded by thanking the whole Province for the spirit of liberty, availability and participation with which the process leading to the appointment of our new provincial was conducted.