The International Jungmann Society for Jesuits and the Liturgy convened for its tenth biennial congress from July 1st through 6th. Forty-five Jesuits from seventeen provinces across the globe engaged the Congress theme, “Liturgy and Liturgical Formation in the Society of Jesus.” Meeting in Asia for the first time in twenty years, members and visitors enjoyed the hospitality and services of the Cebu Center for Ignatian Spirituality, Cebu, Philippines.
In his opening address to the congress, President Jérôme Guingand, S.J., articulated strengths and weaknesses in the contemporary Jesuit relationship with the Church’s liturgy, ad intra and ad extra. His address was followed by the congress plenary speaker, Professor Josefina Manabat, SLD (Graduate School of Liturgy, San Beda University), titled “Pope Francis’s Desiderio Desideravi and Liturgical Formation in the Society of Jesus.”
Over the next two days, the participants discussed in depth, through plenary sessions and small groups, presentations of four dimensions of Jesuit liturgical life today: ‘Liturgy in Jesuit Communities’ by Fr. Mark Aloysius, S.J. (Malaysia-Singapore); ‘Liturgy in the Apostolates’ by Fr. Vlasto Dufka, S.J. (Slovakia); ‘The Daily Celebration of Mass in Jesuit Communities’ by Fr. Tony Lusvardi, S.J. (USA); and ‘Praying the Liturgy of the Hours’ by Fr. Guingand (France).
Members took a work break on an excursion day in the city of Cebu that included visiting Magellan’s Cross and the Basilica del Santo Nino, as well as fully restored early Jesuit house.
The Jesuits’ General Counselor for Formation, Father Mark Ravizza, S.J., has asked the Jungmann Society to produce multiple educational videos for the new global Jesuit formation website. Jungmann members will soon undertake this process through multiple stages. Final production of the videos will comprise the major work of the June 2026 congress at the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts.