LAGOS, NIGERIA | June 23, 2025 – Under the resonant theme “Different Path, the Same Mission,” the second gathering of Jesuit Brothers from the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar (JCAM) was held in Lagos, Nigeria. The event, hosted by the North West Africa Province (ANW), brings together brothers from across the continent for a week of fraternity, reflection, and strategic planning on their unique vocation within the Society of Jesus.

The meeting began with arrivals on June 21st, an exercise in perseverance as participants navigated complex travel logistics to reach the St. Ignatius Jesuit community at the curia in Lagos, where they were warmly welcomed.

The spiritual heart of the gathering started on Day Two, Sunday, June 22, with the Brothers joining the faithful of Christ the King Parish in Illesamaja for Eucharist. The Mass, presided over by Parish Priest Fr. Onukwuli Francis, featured a poignant talk by Sr. Nathalie Becquart, a keynote speaker for the event, on the Church’s synodal journey. She inspired the congregation by illustrating how synodality fosters listening and participation, setting a perfect tone for the days of discussion to follow.

The formal proceedings opened with a virtual welcome from Fr. John Kobina Ghansah, SJ, Provincial of the ANW province. Fr. Ghansah framed the gathering as a “pivotal moment for deepening the collective understanding of the Jesuit Brother vocation.” Drawing from the recent International Commission on Jesuit Brothers in Rome, he challenged participants to move beyond reflection into “concrete imagining” on how to strengthen the formation, identity, and integration of brothers across all provinces.

He called for new pathways of collaboration that affirm the brother’s role as “co-missionaries and co-creators,” anchoring his message in the Synod on Synodality’s spirit of “listening, mutual discernment, and unity in diversity.”

This message was powerfully echoed by Fr. José Minaku, SJ, President of JCAM, who delivered the inaugural address. After expressing profound gratitude to the hosts and organizers, Fr. Minaku urged the brothers to see the gathering as a “sacred pause” to rediscover their vocation through companionship with Christ.

“The identity of a Jesuit Brother is not tied to function or clerical status,” he affirmed, “but to a distinct call to presence, communion, and humble service.” He recalled the 34th General Congregation’s decree that Jesuit brothers are full companions in mission. Weaving together biblical narratives, African proverbs, and the legacy of saints like Brother Alphonsus Rodriguez, Fr. Minaku painted a spiritual roadmap centered on hope, a lived fidelity sustained through daily service and hardship.

The day’s highlight was the keynote address by Sr. Nathalie Becquart, XMCJ, the Undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops and the first woman with voting rights in the Synod. Speaking on “The Role of Jesuit Brothers in a Synodal Church,” Sr. Becquart provided a rich theological and practical framework, outlining synodality as a journey of listening, discerning, and walking together.

She described listening as the "first act of love" and the heart of synodality, encouraging the brothers to practice a deep, humble attentiveness to the Holy Spirit and to others, especially the marginalized. She then highlighted discernment as a communal, Spirit-led process where the brothers’ contemplative gaze is essential for shaping the Church’s response to the world.

Finally, she called on them to embrace walking together, a pilgrimage marked by co-responsibility, shared leadership, and unity in diversity. “Jesuit brothers are uniquely equipped to foster communion and bridge-building,” she said, reminding them that the Church must be a “home” where all are welcomed.

Sr. Becquart’s talk was less a lecture and more a commissioning, calling the brothers to become “protagonists of synodal conversion” and to offer their lives as signs of hope, rooted in joy and ready to accompany others.

The gathering continues through June 26th, with brothers engaging in further dialogue aimed at sparking concrete pathways for greater inclusion, servant leadership, and a renewed spirit of evangelization within their shared mission across Africa and Madagascar.

Who is a Jesuit Brother?

A Jesuit Brother is, above all, a Jesuit, fully part of the Society of Jesus and dedicated to its mission. His vocation is deeply apostolic, rooted in a total commitment to the service of the Church and the people of God.

Responding to a particular call from Christ, the Brother lives out his consecration through the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. His purpose is to advance God’s work among the women and men of his time. Like every Jesuit, he draws strength and clarity from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, from personal prayer, and from daily participation in the Eucharist. He also finds ongoing support within the companionship of his fellow Jesuits.

Although a Jesuit Brother does not serve as a priest, his formation is closely aligned with that of Jesuit priests. He may study theology, sometimes for a shorter period to strengthen his capacity for ministry. Depending on his mission, a Brother may pursue further academic studies or move directly into apostolic service.

In essence, the Jesuit Brother embodies a vocation of service, community, and mission, wholly dedicated to bringing God’s presence into the world.