The Hijas de Jesus sisters actively participated in the recently concluded International Conference on Ignatian Spirituality held at the Loyola School of Theology from April 22 to 24, 2026. Gathering religious men and women, lay collaborators, seminarians, and clergy from different parts of the world, specifically Asia,  the conference served as a dynamic space for reflection, dialogue, workshops, and renewal rooted in the Ignatian spirituality.

Over three days, the conference explored timely themes that bridge spirituality with contemporary realities. On the first day, participants reflected deeply on mental health. Fr. Christopher Staab, SJ, opened the session with a talk on “Finding Grace in Dispersion, Illness, and Conflict.” Drawing from the experiences of the first Jesuits and Ignatius of Loyola, he highlighted how God’s grace is encountered even amid trials and uncertainty. This was followed by Fr. Jordan Orbe, SJ, who explored the relationship between spirituality and mental health. He emphasized three key Ignatian practices: noticing, sifting, and choosing as essential movements toward growth, offering practical tools for discernment and inner healing in a world marked by stress and complexity.

On the second day, Dr. Christina Kheng led the reflection on communal discernment, a vital practice in Ignatian spirituality. She outlined its essential characteristics and habits, inviting participants to examine how deeply these are lived in their communities. Her input called the delegates to rediscover the grace of listening together for the movements of the Spirit.

The third and final day turned to the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence and its implications for faith, discernment, and mission, particularly in the field of religious education. Fr. Francis Alvarez, SJ, guided participants through emerging concerns and opportunities surrounding AI. He highlighted the importance of crafting thoughtful prompts and critically evaluating outputs, noting that genuine learning occurs in this reflective process. His talk underscored how Ignatian values, especially discernment, can shape a responsible and meaningful engagement with technology.

During the afternoons of the first two days, the sisters joined various workshops that provided practical applications of the themes discussed in the plenary sessions. These workshops fostered deeper interaction, allowing participants to share insights, pastoral experiences, and creative approaches to ministry.

The presence of the Hijas de Jesus sisters at the conference reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing formation as they respond to the call of the Lord. Inspired by the richness of the sessions,  the sisters return to their respective ministries renewed in their call to serve with discernment, compassion for the people who surround them, and openness to the signs of the times, particularly in the evolving landscape of technology.

Below are some of the impressions shared by the sisters who participated in the conference:

Sr. Gemma Doguiles, FI

"I was very impressed by the keynote speeches at the International Conference of Ignatian Spirituality. My 3 R’s takeaway:

1. Refreshing Reflections that inspired me to "gustar y saborear" God's presence.
2. Relatable Topics that moved me to ask the what, why, where and how.
3. Revved Up Insights that set my heart on fire for the mission again.

Sr. Mary Mae Santorce, FI

Attending the three-day International Conference on Ignatian Spirituality has left my heart full of gratitude. I am thankful for the opportunity to listen, engage, and become more aware of God's presence within me. While all the topics were meaningful and enlightening, what resonated with me most were the words notice, shift, and choose. These continue to guide me as I practice the Examen and seek to find God in all things.

Sr. Marie Sweet Candelaria, FI

Attending ICIS 2026 was a gift I am truly grateful for. The experience left me with a simple yet profound takeaway: the importance of Noticing, Sifting and Choosing in both thought and action.

Sr. Marianita Teñoso, FI

The 3 days of ICIS were really informative, timely and renewing. Mental Health, Discernment in Common and AI are very hot topics for everyone on the planet today, especially for us living the Ignatian way. I also enjoyed the workshops on Spiritual Accompaniment and Synodality, having learned to move from I to We and Some to All as we try to see the Spirit's lead in the Church, in our communities and as individual Christians. So many blessings and learning to share and to put into action after this.Blessed be God who loves us so dearly and continuously leads us by His Spirit.

Sr. Flor Florece, FI

My last experience at an International Ignatian Conference was when Fr. Peter Hans Kolvenbach was the Superior General of the Jesuits and Pilar Martinez was our General Superior, so you can imagine how long it has been! This year, I am celebrating my thirtieth year as a missionary in Japan.

The Conference helped me update my knowledge on important issues in today’s world:  mental health, communal discernment, and artificial intelligence. It also provided an opportunity for me to personally reflect on my way of “being and doing” in the mission. I felt validated in my pedagogy as an Hija de Jesus, and I gained a deeper understanding of the challenges we face in the present epoch and in the future, particularly regarding the use of technology as a tool in religious education.

The Question and Answer portion was helpful, giving me insight into what fellow pastoral workers are experiencing in the “field” and how the Main Speakers provided answers based on their expertise. When participants were asked about their key “takeaways” from the Conference, I felt affirmed that what is most important is bringing "THE PRESENCE" (the Trinitarian God) into whatever circumstances we encounter and into whoever we accompany.

Thank you for allowing me to attend. It was a great gift for my ongoing formation, a rarity in Japan. The experience has renewed my energy and given me greater enthusiasm to continue serving the Lord where I am.