On Friday, June 27th, Jesuits and lay collaborators from the Brussels-based works of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials (JCEP) gathered at the St. Benedict Community for an evening of fellowship and celebration. Colleagues from JCEP, JRS-Europe, JESC, the Chapel for Europe, and the team of religion teachers at the European Schools were joined by family members to enjoy a delicious meal. Due to the exceptionally high temperatures, the traditional barbecue was replaced by a meal prepared indoors, allowing everyone to spend the evening together in a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. The annual gathering provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen relationships across the different Jesuit ministries in Brussels and to celebrate the shared mission that unites them. As many Jesuits and collaborators prepare to embark on their summer commitments, the evening offered a fitting moment to exchange good wishes before the holiday period. The occasion also served to thank Marcin Firmanty SJ, who worked as a religion teacher at the European Schools and collaborated at the Chapel for Europe and Benoît Willemaers SJ, who was the secretary for European Affairs at JESC, as they conclude their mission in Brussels. On behalf of those gathered, Bernd Günther SJ, Superior of the St. Benedict Community and Director of the Chapel for Europe, together with Filipe Martins SJ, Director of JESC, expressed their heartfelt appreciation for the dedication, generosity, and faithful service that both have offered over the last years. Their commitment, collaborative spirit, and friendship have enriched the Jesuit works in Brussels, and they were warmly wished every blessing and success as they begin this new chapter of their mission. Our sincere thanks go to the St. Benedict Community for its generous hospitality and for once again providing such a warm and welcoming setting for this cherished annual gathering.    

The Jesuit European Committee for Primary and Secondary Education (JECSE), the network that brings together Jesuit and companion schools across Europe to promote collaboration, formation and the shared mission of Ignatian education, gathered its executive team on June 16-19 in Brussels for an in-person meeting. As the members of the team work remotely from different parts of Europe, the gathering provided a valuable opportunity to meet face-to-face, strengthen relationships and reflect together on the future of the network. Alongside discussions on strategic priorities, upcoming programmes and the future development of the network, the gathering offered an opportunity to deepen connections across the wider Jesuit family. The team met with Dalibor Renić SJ, President of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials (JCEP) and JECSE, to exchange perspectives on Jesuit education and the Society of Jesus' mission in Europe. The team also visited the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Europe, Jesuit European Social Centre (JESC), and the Chapel for Europe learning more about their work and exploring opportunities for greater collaboration. The encounters highlighted how different Jesuit apostolic works—education, social justice, advocacy and accompaniment—are interconnected in responding to the challenges facing Europe today. The gathering also provided time to strengthen community through shared meals and informal conversations, recognising that personal relationships are at the heart of effective collaboration.    

On 16–17 June, colleagues from across Europe working in advocacy and communications gathered in Brussels for the annual meeting of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Europe network. Based in Brussels, JRS Europe – regional office of JRS in Europe under the European Conference of Provincials – coordinates advocacy, policy engagement and collaboration among JRS country offices, supporting the Society of Jesus' mission of accompanying, serving and advocating for refugees and other forcibly displaced people across the continent. The two-day meeting provided an opportunity for participants to reconnect, exchange experiences and strengthen collaboration between the advocacy and communications teams. Through a combination of joint and parallel sessions, participants reflected on current priorities, shared best practices and explored how the two fields can work more closely together to increase the impact of JRS' mission. Key topics included developments in national and European advocacy, collaboration with the JRS International Office, effective fundraising communication, campaign development, and the relationship between advocacy and public narratives. Participants also discussed the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, identifying common priorities for the JRS Europe network as the new Common European Asylum System enters into force, while communications colleagues reflected on the ethical use of artificial intelligence and responsible storytelling. The meeting reaffirmed that effective advocacy and communication go hand in hand. By combining policy expertise with compelling, human-centred narratives, JRS Europe aims to strengthen its common voice and better accompany refugees while promoting a more just, welcoming and humane Europe.

Living Stones (Pietre Vive) is a network of young adults inspired by Ignatian spirituality who seek to share the Gospel through art, beauty and encounter. Through guided visits to churches, cathedrals and places of cultural heritage, Living Stones volunteers invite people to discover the Christian meaning behind works of art and architecture, creating spaces for dialogue, prayer and spiritual reflection. Present in many cities across Europe and the Americas, the network sees beauty as a path that can lead people towards God and as an opportunity for evangelisation in contemporary society. This year, Paris hosted the international gathering of the network. Each year, around the beginning of May, Living Stones communities meet in a different city for several days of prayer, formation, friendship and shared mission. The 2026 gathering followed the annual theme "Behold, I Make All Things New" (Revelation 21:5). The theme came to life through visits to some of Paris' most symbolic sites, including the Basilica of Saint-Denis, the birthplace of Gothic architecture, and Notre-Dame Cathedral, whose restoration after the devastating 2019 fire has become a powerful symbol of renewal and hope. The programme also included workshops and moments of reflection, taking participants in the footsteps of St Ignatius of Loyola during his years in Paris, exploring the stained-glass windows of Sainte-Chapelle and the masterpieces of the Louvre Museum, engaging in dialogue with LGBTQ+ Christians, and taking part in a musical composition workshop. More than a cultural exchange, the gathering reflected Living Stones' conviction that art, beauty and encounter can become paths towards God. It also showed how the Church itself can be renewed through young people who bring creativity, faith and openness to the mission of sharing the Gospel today.

The UN climate negotiations known as the SB64 meetings concluded in Bonn on 18 June, after two weeks of discussions preparing the ground for the next major climate summit, COP31, which will take place in Antalya, Türkiye, in November 2026. The SB (Subsidiary Bodies) meetings are technical and political negotiations held each year under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). They bring together governments, experts and civil society organisations to advance discussions on issues such as climate finance, adaptation, emissions reduction and the implementation of previous climate commitments. A team from the Jesuit European Social Centre (JESC) and the Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat (SJES) participated in the meetings in Bonn, representing the Jesuit commitment to ecological justice and bringing the Jesuits for Climate Justice calls to the attention of international decision-makers. The team followed the negotiations closely, engaged with other actors and reported from the ground on the progress and challenges of the talks. These experiences show the need of a Conference and networking approach to socio-ecological issues that are ultimately global and do not understand of provincial borders.  While a more detailed analysis will follow, one central tension emerged throughout the negotiations: the urgent need for immediate climate action and the political difficulties involved in transforming commitments into concrete and fair policies. As governments debated responsibilities, implementation mechanisms and climate finance, the consequences of the climate crisis continued to be felt most severely by vulnerable communities and countries. Civil society organisations repeatedly called on decision-makers to move beyond dialogue and ensure that climate commitments translate into real action. For the Society of Jesus, these negotiations are closely connected to the mission of promoting ecological justice—recognising that environmental degradation is inseparable from social inequality and that those who have contributed least to the climate crisis are often those who suffer its greatest impacts. The Bonn meetings represent an important step towards COP31, where governments will continue negotiations on how to strengthen global climate action. Jesuit participation seeks to ensure that the voices of vulnerable communities remain present in international discussions and that climate responses are rooted in justice, solidarity and care for our common home. The Jesuits for Climate Justice coverage of SB64 is available through the SJES channels.    

During his apostolic journey to Spain in June 2026, Pope Leo XIV visited several significative Christian communities and ministries form the Church in Spain, highlighting key dimensions of the Society of Jesus' mission: accompanying young people, welcoming migrants, and promoting a faith committed to justice and human dignity. The Province of Spain organized a series of events and encounters to accompany the Pope’s visit and stress the connection of the work already done in many areas with the messages of the Pope. In Madrid, more than 1,500 young people from Jesuit schools and the MAG+S network gathered for prayer, celebration and community. The encounter culminated in a prayer vigil and the Corpus Christi celebration, offering participants an opportunity to deepen their faith and experience the richness of the universal Church. For many, the gathering was a reminder that Jesuit education seeks not only to form minds but also to help young people encounter God in one another and become agents of hope. In the Canary Islands, Pope Leo XIV became the first Pontiff to visit the archipelago, drawing attention to one of the world's most dangerous migration routes. His visit recognised the hospitality of the local Church and reaffirmed the Church's commitment to accompany migrants and refugees. Jesuit ministries serving in the region, including those working with the Jesuit Migrant Service and ECCA Social, welcomed the Pope's call to uphold the dignity of every person forced to flee hardship and conflict. In Catalonia, the Holy Father presided over the Eucharist at the Basilica of the Sagrada Família and blessed the cross crowning the Tower of Jesus. Reflecting on the meaning of the Cross, he reminded the faithful that authentic Christian faith is inseparable from solidarity with those who suffer. During a prayer vigil with young people in Barcelona, he encouraged them to "find God in the reality in which we live," inviting them to face today's challenges with hope, faith and a spirit of community. The Pope also visited social ministries, including Brians 1 prison and the Parish of Sant Agustí in Barcelona, where he met organisations accompanying vulnerable people. His presence reinforced the Church's call to stand alongside those whose dignity is most at risk. Throughout his journey, Pope Leo XIV encouraged Jesuits and their collaborators to continue living the Gospel through education, pastoral ministry and social engagement. His visit offered a powerful affirmation of the Society of Jesus' mission in Spain: finding God in all things while serving those most in need with compassion, hope and faith.