General Congregation

Called to Rome 

Fathers Pat Lee, S.J., and John Whitney, S.J., were each chosen to serve as delegates to the 35th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus held in Rome in early 2008. The new father general is Adolfo Nicolas. It was the first time the General Congregation elected a father general (superior of all Jesuits) while his predecessor was still in office. Although the position is a lifetime appointment, Father General Peter Kolvenbach asked the pope to accept his resignation.
 
The General Congregation, which has met just 34 times in the 465-year history of the Jesuit order, is the ultimate authority for the Society. It is the Society’s legislative body and sets its direction until the next Congregation convenes, most likely when the new father general dies. While selecting a new superior is the most important work that Fr. Lee and the delegates accomplished, they also addressed globalization, ecology, lay partnership in mission and internal governance issues.

Click on the links below to view Fr. Lee and Fr. Whitney’s presentation at the General Congregation.

View 35th General Congregation Intellectual Apostolate Presentation.

View Slideshow for General Congregation Prayer.