To host key colloquium in Salamanca-Spain from November 23 to December 3
Fr Joseph Cardozo SJ along with Fr John Dardis.
GLOBAL GOENKARS SPEAK
The Society of Jesus has taken a major initiative to support the Catholic Church’s synodal process to build capacity across the Church in the discernment processes.
The international project has been envisioned in three phases: Starting (2025), Sharing (2026-2027), and Strengthening (2028+).
The project is being steered under the leadership of Fr John Dardis, and I have been assisting this project in Rome.
While highlighting the project, Arturo Sosa, the Superior General of Jesuits, states, “This is a project rooted in Vatican II. While it goes back a long time, this vision is as relevant now as it was years ago. That vision is for a synodal church: a church walking together, a humble church, and a pilgrim church. All of us are going together hand in hand trying to bring liberation, reconciliation, and justice to a wounded world. It is the vision of the Beatitudes.”
Thus, in Salamanca, Spain, from November 23 until December 3, 97 people, comprising Jesuits, laity, religious sisters and brothers, and diocesan priests, will be initiated into the project "Ignite the Way: Training of Facilitators in Discernment in Common".
There will be eleven participants from India. The participants will be trained to deepen discernment in common and towards promoting synodal transformation. It will serve as a launchpad for the systematic development of the Jesuit congregation’s approach to the 'Discernment in Common' method.
The overall goals and aims of the colloquium will be to:
* Develop essential skills in training for facilitation of common discernment.
* Explore the diverse discernment in common approaches in our organisations and cultures.
* Explore rules for discernment of St Ignatius as applied to groups.
* Arrive at an agreed core curriculum.
* Build awareness of other initiatives on Synodality, and decide on how we can support each other to go forward.
The project is envisaged in the style of a colloquium with the idea that we share expertise with each other and arrive at a deeper appropriation of discernment in common, both at the theoretical and practical levels, by using methodologies, presentations, silent reflections, and spiritual conversation.
Besides the daily liturgical celebrations, interactive sessions will be conducted on listening to our stories of accompanying discernment in common, such as theological and biblical foundations by linking it with synodality; how the Society and my organisation/diocese can implement and support synodal reforms; the history and graces of discernment in common; building a sense of a shared mission; indifference; discerning spirits in a group; case studies; arriving at a core curriculum through conference; and organisational group sharing.
A key outcome of the colloquium will be the formation of teams, who will train facilitators in ‘Discernment in Common’ at the regional level, both within the Society of Jesus and in the wider Church.
Personally, I have found it inspiring to be part of this global initiative, and I feel it is a real privilege. I have found it motivating to meet the various participants online, to hear their joys, sorrows, and dreams.
Already, we are building a movement. I think this project will contribute in however humble a way, as it offers the Church some ways of discerning in common. It is not just a project for Jesuits; it is a project that also helps dioceses, other congregations, parishes, and even lay-led organisations who want to build a different culture, a culture of discernment.
Together we can make a new dream. In a world where public discourse is so divided, I am convinced that the Church and the way of the Gospel, with its humble listening, have so much to offer.
Thus, in moving forward from here and going back to their own different cultures and places of work life, the participants will be able to transform their cultures, societies, organisations, and the Church. This colloquium can be like a stone thrown into a pond with ripples across continents and cultures.
[The writer is a member of the Goa Jesuit Province and is assistant project manager in Rome.]
