A new chapter in Jesuit history began on Saturday, January 19.  Father Adolfo Nicolás, S.J. was elected as the new Superior General of the Society of Jesus. The election capped the first phase of the 35th General Congregation of Jesuits in Rome, where 217 voting delegates represented more than 19,000 Jesuits worldwide.

Father Nicolás’ election coincides with the retirement of Superior General Hans Klovenbach, S.J., who cited age and health as his reasons for retirement.  Though the appointment to Superior General (or Father General) is for life, Pope Benedict XVI granted Father Klovenbach’s request, and the congregation approved the retirement on Monday, January 14.

The election followed four days of prayer, silence, and murmurationes – one-on-one conversations wherein electors determine who will make the best general.  On the morning of January 19, the 217 electors gathered into the “aula,” a large meeting room where the vote took place. 

The doors closed at 9:30 A.M., not to open again until the election of a new general.  Only the electors themselves were allowed inside the aula.  Everyone else waited anxiously to hear who would be St. Ignatius’ next successor.  At 11:45 A.M., the door opened.  A decision had been reached.

Father Adolfo Nicolás was born in Spain on April 29, 1936.  He was ordained to the priesthood in Tokyo, where he taught systematic theology at Sophia University from 1971 to 2002.  He then spent three years working in a poor immigrant parish in Tokyo.  Before his election to Superior General, he had been Moderator of the Jesuit Conference of East Asia and Oceania.

In addition to his native Spanish, Father Nicolás speaks French, Italian, English, and Japanese.

On Sunday, the new Father General celebrated Mass at Gesu Church in Rome.  In his homily, he reminded his fellow Jesuits of the importance of service.

“It is a clear message regarding our mission as Jesuits, as Christians, as the people of God,” he said.  “The more we become servants, the more pleased God is.”

As Superior General of the Jesuits, Father Nicolás also becomes the General Director of the Apostleship of Prayer.  Father Claudio Barriga, S.J., who serves as the General Director’s Delegate to the Apostleship of Prayer, was enthusiastic. 

“Thanks be to God,” he wrote to national directors around the world.

Father James Kubicki, S.J., National Director of the Apostleship here in the United States, believes Father Nicolás bears more than a few similarities to a past superior general.

“Father Pedro Arrupe, S.J., who was also from Spain and spent years in Japan before becoming the General Superior of all the Jesuits, had a deep devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus,” Father Kubicki said.  “I hope that Father Nicolás shares the depths of Father Arrupe's devotion.”