We see ourselves anew in the decree on our identity, “A Fire that Kindles Other Fires: Rediscovering our Charism” which tells our Jesuit story particularly at its source, bringing back the experience that places a Jesuit, quite simply, with Christ at the heart of the world. (cf. CN 246, 4°; 223 §§ 3-4.) Its central image is of Jesuits entering, with Christ who offers living water,(Cf. John 4: 10-15) into a world that is confused about why it is turning the wonders of life and the opportunities of technology in a dry and life-killing lifestyle that does not satisfy.

Globalisation was a major background to our new vision, with its new global culture, the vast numbers to whom it brings bitterness while bringing great opportunities to many. As the decree “Challenges to our Mission Today: Sent to the Frontiers” says, “…our commitment to the poor calls us to see the world from the perspective of the poor and marginalised, acting with and for them.” It calls us to use new communications technologies, which have a tremendous impact on all of us, and “in this changing post-modern culture to walk with young people, learning from their generosity and compassion and helping them to grow through their fragility and fragmentation to an integration of their lives with God and others”.

The decree “Collaboration at the heart of Mission” presents our way of working with the many who have chosen both to work with us and to share our sense of mission. It calls for us to share leadership positions with these collaborators – whether lay, religious or diocesan, Christians or those of other traditions – and to develop opportunities and structures for the formation of these to know the Jesuit spirit and history and choice of mission.

The spirit of always doing more than just what is expected is seen in the decree on Obedience which presents Jesuit obedience as one where, following the example of Ignatius, a Jesuit will exercise creativity in carrying out his mission as he sees circumstances require and will go beyond what has been asked in the true spirit of the magis.

GC 35 official site