Building Momentum for the Future of the Spiritual Exercises in Africa
By Dr. Jean Luc Enyegue, SJ
Following the successful 2025 Nairobi Symposium on the Spiritual Exercises in the African context, the next phase is already underway — one of deepening engagement, wider collaboration, and bold planning.
Phase 1: Engage the Network (Mid-2025 to June 2026)
Coordinated by Joseph Mboya, SJ and Geoffrey Obatsa, this phase invites collaborators across Africa to contribute reflections and scholarly insights.
- Article submission deadline: August 31, 2025
- Peer review: September–October 2025
- Type-setting and pre-press: November 2025 (JHIA design team led by Denis Munyua)
- Publication: December 2025 (JHIA)
This publication will gather diverse voices on how the Spiritual Exercises are lived, adapted, and shared across African realities.
Phase 2: Extending Symposium Impact (2026–2027)
Beginning in September 2026, a monthly webinar series will reflect on specific areas of ministry shaped by the Spiritual Exercises:
- September 2026 – Spiritual Exercises and Formation in Africa
- October 2026 – Spiritual Exercises and Retreat Centers
- November 2026 – Spiritual Exercises and the Social Apostolate
- December 2026 – Spiritual Exercises, Youth, and the Digital World
- January 2027 – Spiritual Exercises and Family Life
- February 2027 – Spiritual Exercises in the Parish Setting
- March 2027 – Spiritual Exercises in Schools and University Chaplaincies
Group Coordinators will be identified for each theme to organize the webinars and help select papers for future publication.
Proposed 2027 Theme: Embracing Vernacularization and Popularizing the Spiritual Exercises in Africa
Looking Ahead: Preparing for the Second Symposium (2027)
Objectives:
- Promote best practices
- Deepen theological and pastoral reflection on the Exercises
- Address psychological and cultural dimensions in African contexts
Proposed venues:
- Hekima University College (Kenya)
- ITCJ (Côte d’Ivoire)
- Arrupe Jesuit University (Zimbabwe)
- Saint Paul (Côte d’Ivoire)
- Kimwenza (DR Congo)
Tentative date: During the 2027 academic year (October?)
Next step: Secure funding and begin planning.
