Fr General appeals to youth

The Superior General of the Jesuits, Fr Adolfo Nicolás, has identified the nurturing and formation of young people as a central concern for the Society of Jesus in the 21st century.

Speaking at a gathering of Jesuits and their religious and lay colleagues and supporters at St Ignatius’ College, Riverview, in Sydney last week, Fr Nicolás said there was a strong need for a deep and ongoing investment in youth, especially with regard to their education.

‘We cannot build our societies unless we respect and honour the young people in our midst. They are the ones with the imagination, the energy, the desire to change things’, he said.

Fr Nicolás said this concern for the formation of young people was shared by Jesuits around the world, and that the ongoing accompaniment of the youth as they progressed into adulthood was needed now more than ever. While young people were honest, direct and willing to ask tough questions, they were finding it increasingly difficult to make decisions, he said.

‘How do we accompany them after graduation and into adulthood? This is an area where we have room for reflection. The aim of St Ignatius was that we would be internally transformed. If our education does not contribute to transformation then something very important is missing from our schools.’

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