Spiritan Congregation Launched New Spirituality Phase
The international religious order has prioritized intercultural community life across its global network.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Religion — General
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The Congregation of the Holy Spirit has launched a new spirituality phase aimed at fostering reconciliation and intercultural community living among its members. This initiative focuses on equipping leadership with tools for listening and shared discernment as the organization evolves.
Why it matters
With a large majority of members now hailing from African nations, the Congregation seeks to align its community life with its founders' legacy while addressing the practical challenges of a diverse global membership.
The Congregation reports 2,714 total members worldwide, with 1,906 of those coming from African circumscriptions. Additionally, there are 532 total professed scholastics, of which 480 originate from African nations.
The players
Congregation of the Holy Spirit
Also known as the Spiritans, this is a Catholic religious congregation founded in France with a global presence.
Enlarged General Council
This is the primary governing body responsible for setting strategic direction and policy for the Congregation of the Holy Spirit.
The details
The initiative follows a mandate established during meetings in Tanzania and Chevilly-Larue, where leadership identified the need for better encounter and accompaniment. Superiors will utilize the Spiritan Academy online platform to access specific resources for training in shared discernment and hospitality.
Timeline
October 2021: The Bagamoyo II General Chapter occurred in Tanzania.
April 30, 2024: The date for the reported membership statistics.
October 2, 2024: The spirituality phase was officially launched.
June 2025: The Enlarged General Council took place in Chevilly-Larue.
October 2026: Superiors are scheduled to begin training for the new phase.
Culture Shift
The spirituality phase follows the organizational trajectory established by the 2021 Bagamoyo II General Chapter. This initiative serves as the direct implementation of policy mandates formulated during that specific assembly.
Members and affiliated groups will have access to new guides and resources via the Spiritan Academy online platform to support community efforts. These tools are designed to facilitate hospitality and accompaniment within local religious communities globally.
The takeaway
This development marks a significant institutional pivot toward integrating members from the Global South more deeply into the order's leadership. The focus on listening and discernment offers a replicable model for other large international organizations managing diverse internal demographics.
What happens next
Superiors are scheduled to begin their training program for the new phase in October 2026.
Further reading
For more information on current global religious trends, visit Religion — General.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ACI Africa.
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