The Australian Province of the Society of Jesus has announced a new agile operating model and governance structure for their Spirituality Ministry, in response to a changing world and an evolving, more spiritually discerning community.
The changes, to come into effect in January, support the first of the Universal Apostolic Preferences of the global Society of Jesus for the next 10 years, announced in February this year, and priorities identified in the Australian Jesuits’ five-year Apostolic Plan announced in April.
The Ministry will transition from a fixed location service based at five centres of Ignatian spirituality around the country to an outreach model staffed by mobile teams that focus on bringing Jesuit and Ignatian spirituality and mission formation to those who seek it, where they seek it.
New Jesuit initiative aims to use technology to enhance ministry outreach in rural and regional Australia.
The changes, which demonstrate the Ignatian maxim of living with ‘one foot raised’ in the direction of greatest need, a sixteenth century articulation of the modern concept of ‘agile’, will create new opportunities not only for those seeking an experience of Ignatian spirituality, but also for spiritual directors delivering those services. Ignatian spiritual directors and presenters have until now been largely restricted to physical retreat centres for the delivery of Ignatian spirituality and mission formation. The new operating model draws heavily on the pioneering efforts of the Faber Centre of Ignatian Spirituality in Brisbane and specifically its outreach services delivered through mobile teams and electronically.
“Whilst the idea of spirituality by Skype may seem a little incongruous, the reality is that there is growing demand for a more flexible type of ministry in rural and regional areas and outside of Australia – places where the Ministry does not necessarily have a physical presence at the moment”, Australian Provincial Fr Brian McCoy said.
“The changes present an opportunity to serve new seekers of spirituality and minister to this need.”
Key elements of the new operating model include:
Changing from multiple fixed location spirituality centres to a centralised outreach model delivered by mobile teams who engage locally with those seeking an experience of Ignatian spirituality – not only in Australia.
Establishing a national office for the Ministry at Peter Canisius House (PCH) in Pymble NSW.
Investing in one dedicated residential retreat centre at Sevenhill SA.
Maintaining one conference facility (which can also be used for residential retreats) and ministry head office at PCH.
Encouraging all Jesuits to work within this province-wide priority in partnership with lay companions.
The changes respond to a report on the review of the Ministry by Sr Elizabeth Dodds RSC in 2018.
Drawing on the words of Pope Francis to the 36th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus in 2016, Fr Brian invoked the Ignatian concept of Magis, seeking the ‘more’ or ‘deeper’, distinguishing a particular aspect of Jesuit and Ignatian spirituality. As Pope Francis reminded the Jesuits at their most recent General Congregation, “Initiating processes is different from occupying spaces. The Society [of Jesus] initiates processes and leaves spaces. This is important. Other religious occupy spaces, the monasteries. The Society initiates processes”.
“The announcement today is our response to this call. It is this new process, a process that is more open, collaborative and agile, that we are now tasked to implement and develop,” Fr Brian said.
To see the full announcement from the Jesuits click here.