After a quarter-century, the superior general of the Jesuits is stepping down.  Father Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S.J., who is also the general director of the Apostleship of Prayer, will officially resign at the 2008 General Congregation of the Society of Jesus.  He has held the post since 1983.

In a letter addressed to all Jesuits, Father Kolvenbach called for a congregation both to elect his successor and to discuss other important matters.

The Dutch-born Jesuit cited his lengthy tenure and his age – he’ll be 79 when the congregation begins – as the reasons for his resignation.

Although the Jesuit Constitution specifically stipulates that the position is for life, Pope Benedict XVI approved Father Kolvenbach’s proposal for resignation.

The congregation will meet in Rome on January 5, 2008, in Rome. 

Since the Society was founded back in 1540, there have only been 34 general congregations.  The last was held in 1995.  The one before that – in 1983 – was the congregation that elected Father Kolvenbach as Father Pedro Arrupe, S.J.’s replacement.

Father Claudio Barriga, S.J., the general director's delegate for the Apostleship of Prayer, is asking all Apostleship members to pray for the upcoming congregation.  Specifically, Father Barriga is requesting that members include an intention for the congregation in their daily offering prayer.

“The idea is to have as many people as possible praying for General Congregation 35,” he said. “The suggested prayer is based on our Daily Morning Offering, so it can replace the usual prayer for these few months.”

As the general director's delegate, Father Barriga oversees each of the national directors, including Father James Kubicki, S.J. here in the United States.

The modified prayer, which also emphasizes the Holy Trinity, is as follows:

God, our Father,
I wish to respond to your love
in all I will do today. 
I offer you my prayers, thoughts, words,
actions, joys, and sufferings
in union with your Son Jesus Christ,
who continues to offer himself in the Eucharist
for the salvation of the world.

I pray for the Society of Jesus
preparing to celebrate its 35th General Congregation,
bringing together Jesuits from all over the world.
May the Holy Spirit, who guided Jesus,
guide them to your Son’s Heart
so that they may love and serve you in all things
to your greater glory and honor.

With Mary, the mother of our Lord and of the Church,
I pray especially for this month's intentions
as proposed by the Holy Father.