JESUIT BULLETIN - No. 2 - Letter and General Congregation on Father John Baptist Janssens, S.J. (1889-1964)

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Noah

Jesuit Bulletin issue No. 2 (Vol. 10) provides an editorial letter and coverage of the recent death of Very Reverend John Baptist Janssens, S.J., including Pope Paul VI’s visit shortly before his passing. It highlights Jesuit general governance, the role of the General Congregation, and the selection process for a new General amid post–World War II reconstruction. The issue also references maps and notices related to Jesuit provinces and staff, along with funeral and memorial elements.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time40 min

AccessFree to download

Letter from the Editor

Very Reverend John Baptist Janssens, S.J. 1889-1964

Selection and election of the new General

Style of governing and directives

Funeral and editorial closing

General Congregation

Legislative power and composition

General

His Holiness,Pope Paul VI,after visit to Jesuit General before death of latter. JESUIT SEMINARY ASSOCIATION1612 Book Building ·Detroit,Michigan 48226Phone 961-4744 1964 Letter from the Editor As you know,the Very Reverend JohnBaptist Janssens,S.J.(General of the Jesuitorder)died recently,and so it is appropriatewe give a brief account concerning him andalso a short explanation of the general gov-ernment of the Society of Jesus in this issueof the Bulletin. His Holiness,Pope Paul VI,visited theGeneral shortly before his death.The covershows Very Reverend John L.Swain,S.J.,thanking His Holiness for the kind visit.Itwas taken just 17 minutes before the Generaldied. This issue also has a map of the AmericanAssistancy of the Jesuits—showing its division into eleven Provinces.It is one ofeleven Assistancies into which the Society isdivided.There are also some photographs ofthe staff of the Provincial of this Province. In the Jesuit Miscellany section you willfind a notice concerning His Eminence Augus-tine Cardinal Bea,S.J.,an announcement ofplans for a new building for the Loyola Re-treat House For Youth,enrollment statisticsfor the Jesuit high schools of the AmericanAssistancy,and photographs of young menwho recently became postulant brothers,novices or took their First Vows. In conclusion we wish you a very HappyChristmas and many blessings during theNew Year. NO.2 VOL.10 Maurice J.Hussey,S.J.editor Janes B.Brady.S.J.managing editor JESUIT BULLETIN is published quarterly(September,December,March and June)bythe Jesuit Seminary Association,1720 Consumers Bldg.,220 S.State Street,Chicago,IIl.60604,in the interest of the Chicago andDetroit Provinces of the Society oJesus.Entered as second-classmatter October 23,1947 at thePost Ofice at Chicago,IUinois,under the act of March 3,1879,and at an additional mailing oficeSubscription,25 cents a year. Funeral services for Very Reverend John Baptist Janssens,S.J. # VERY REVEREND JOHN BAPTIST JANSSENS,S.J.1889-1964 deliberation,even before the election,it was clear who the new General wouldbe:“One man plainly emerged,”wasthe way Father Dugre put it. by C.J.McNaspy,S.J. Few men in the Society's four cen-turies of effort can have been electedGeneral under more taxing circum-stances.When Father John BaptistJanssens was chosen,Sept.15,1946,as 27th General of the Society of Jesus,Europe and much of the world were inthe agony of picking up the piecesafter World War II.The Society hadbeen without a General for four years,following the death of Father WladimirLedochowski in 1942. Father Janssens came to his formid-able new office with exceptional giftsand equally exceptional preparation.He had had professional training inboth Civil and Canon Law;from per-sonal research in Istanbul he was ac-quainted with problems in the NearEast:his ten years as a professor inthe theologate at Louvain kept himabreast of important currents in Catho-lic thought;his six years as Rectorthere,three years as Tertian Instructor,and especially his experience as Pro-vincial in Belgium during the periodof the War and Occupation,gave him aknowledge of human limits and possi-bilities such as few are able to achieve.Little wonder that reports from the When the 29th General Congrega-tion was finally able to meet,on Sept. 6,its first business was the choice of aman who could best guide it duringthe harrowing years of reconstruction.Shortly after the Congregation,I re-member being told by the former Brit-ish Assistant that after a few days of his interests.His series of memorabledirectives to the Society insisted ratheron serious spiritual formation,on theimportance of specialization,on theneed for the Society to play a signifi-cant role in the liturgical apostolate,and perhaps most of all on the socialapostolate. Congregation spoke of something likcunanimity in his election. As General,Father Janssens showeda“style”of governing that was insharp contrast to his predecessor's.Whereas Fa

FAQs

Who was the recent Jesuit leader discussed in this issue, and what is the key event mentioned?

The issue focuses on Very Reverend John Baptist Janssens, S.J., whose death is discussed, including a brief account of Pope Paul VI’s visit shortly before he died.

How does the document describe the selection of a new General?

It explains that when the General Congregation meets, its first business is the choice of a man who can guide the Society during difficult years of reconstruction.

What role does the General Congregation play in Jesuit governance?

According to the Constitutions cited in the text, a General Congregation alone has full legislative power and is composed of delegates from around the world, convened for electing a new General and for other special matters.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Noah