On 27 April, the Jesuit Province of Central Europe (ECE) was established, uniting the former Jesuit Provinces of Austria, Lithuania-Latvia, Switzerland and Germany. With this move, the Society of Jesus seeks to better focus its efforts on the apostolic priorities of the Society: to help people to discover God, to journey with the marginalised, to accompany young people and to care for the environment. The Jesuits are seeking to respond to the times with structural changes, believing that by uniting together they will be able to promote Ignatian spirituality and fulfil their mission more effectively.

The patron saint of the province is St. Peter Canisius, a 16th century Jesuit from the Netherlands. This theologian, reformer of the Church, founder of colleges and universities, was the first Jesuit Provincial of Germany, who foresaw the beginning of Jesuit activity in Lithuania. He died in Fribourg (Switzerland). The ECE Province is being established on 27 April, the 500th anniversary of his birth.

The Province will be headed by the Provincial, Fr Bernhard Bürgler SJ, Provincial of the former Jesuit Province of Austria. The Province will have 442 Jesuits in Austria, Latvia, Lithuania, USA (mission in Lemont), Sweden, Switzerland and Germany. The Province has a common logo, an updated website: www.jezuitai.lt.

The Provincial will be assisted by eight delegates from specific areas. The Delegate for Schools and Universities is Fr Christian Rutishauser SJ, Provincial of the former Swiss Province.

In Lithuania, the magazine "Laiškai bičiuliams" (Letters to Friends) will be replaced by the magazine " Jezuitai" (Jesuits) 3 times a year. It will publish articles on Ignatian spirituality, the Jesuit mission in Lithuania and Europe, and apostolic activities.

The Regional Office of the Jesuit Province of Central Europe (Didžioji g. 34) will be located in Vilnius, and Fr Vidmantas Šimkūnas, SJ, has been appointed to head it.

Source: jezuitai.lt

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