The debate took place at the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences at UCP Braga.
 

Amid questions about the future of the university, the challenges of contemporary pedagogy, and the need to refocus education on people, the RENOVAR*TE gathering brought together diverse voices in an exercise of reflection and dialogue centered on the Ignatian educational mission.

From the presentations and testimonies shared at the meeting, which took place on May 20 at the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences of the Portuguese Catholic University of Braga, ideas, concerns, and perspectives emerged that help us reflect on the role of the university in a time of rapid social change.

The most striking ideas that stood out were the reaffirmation of the identity of the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences as an Ignatian institution and the centrality of discernment as an essential practice for personal and community life.

It became clear that renewal does not mean breaking with tradition, but rather embracing it, preserving its fundamental elements, and reinterpreting it in light of contemporary challenges. The commitment to the integral formation of the person, the promotion of justice, and the pursuit of the common good thus remain at the heart of the educational mission.

At the same time, discernment emerged as an essential dimension, not only for understanding the inner life, but also as a tool for making more conscious, free decisions oriented toward what leads to the deepest good.

Luísa Magalhães e Artur Ilharco Galvão

 
RENOVAR*TE: When Academia Meets Humanity
 

The RENOVAR*TE gathering took place on May 20 at the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences at UCP-Braga. It proved to be a unique experience within the academic context, distinguished by its ability to bring together reflection, identity, and human connection. Although the structure, technological resources, and guests suggested a formal gathering dedicated to Ignatian pedagogy and identity, it soon became clear that there was something different: an atmosphere of welcome, sharing, and humanity that went beyond traditional academic formats.

At the center of the reflections was the challenge posed by the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Arturo Sosa, who called on Jesuit universities to be living witnesses of hope: a hope rooted in spiritual identity, committed to justice, in solidarity with the excluded, critical of the pressures and trends of the times, yet always open to dialogue and deeply dedicated to the social and ecological transformation of the world.

Throughout the meeting, it became clear that Ignatian pedagogy continues to offer a relevant and necessary vision of education. It is a pedagogy that unhesitatingly embraces its Christian, humanistic, and holistic identity, placing the individual at the center of the educational process. Historically, this approach to education has helped refocus learning on the student, to value the teaching mission, and to form people capable of thinking freely, combining competence, critical thinking, and humanity.

More than presenting theories or methodologies, the meeting revealed something deeper: the transformative power of a living tradition. The words of St. Ignatius and Arturo Sosa did not emerge merely through the texts studied, but became experiences witnessed, lived, and shared firsthand. Knowledge was transmitted not merely as discourse, but as an expression of a shared identity and a spiritual and intellectual heritage already internalized by many of the participants.

There was also a sense that much remained unsaid—and perhaps that is one of the signs of the success of a gathering of this nature: leaving with a desire to continue the conversation. Because education, in the light of the Ignatian tradition, is not limited to techniques or models; it is a continuous exercise in human renewal, discernment, and commitment to the common good. At a time when there is so often more pedagogism than true pedagogy, gatherings like RENOVAR*TE remind us of the urgency of forming people who are competent, but also conscious, compassionate, and committed to building a more just and fraternal world.

Ana Paula Pinto e Susana Vilas-Boas

 
The Pedagogy of Hope: Humanism and Identity in RENOVAR*TE

The atmosphere created by the RENOVAR*TE gathering proved to be a unique space for reflection and connection, where Ignatian pedagogy and identity were experienced in a way that went far beyond the traditional academic format. The gathering was marked by closeness, listening, and sharing, transforming a “formal” gathering into a true exercise in community building, where academic rigor coexisted with a profound human dimension.

In a time of rapid social change, marked by the omnipresence of technology and the growing complexity of human relationships, it is increasingly necessary to educate people who are conscious, competent, compassionate, and committed to transforming the world. It is precisely in this context that the Jesuit university distinguishes itself: through a humanistic vision that places the person at the center of the educational process and views the student as an active, critical, and participating subject in the construction of knowledge. 

Throughout the meeting, it became clear how important it is to embrace the identity of Ignatian pedagogy without fear or ambiguity. Rooted in the Christian tradition and inspired by the charism of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, this educational vision has always sought to refocus education on the student and to deeply value the teaching mission. Rather than creating entirely new models, the Jesuit educational tradition has known how to reinvent, deepen, and systematize the best it has received throughout history, forming free, critical individuals capable of engaging with society with intelligence and ethical sensibility.

Educators also play a central role here: more than mere transmitters of knowledge, they are called to be agents of human, social, and cultural transformation. Inspired by the principles of Ignatian Pedagogy, they become true “sowers of hope,” promoting an education grounded in critical thinking, creativity, collaborative work, and an ethical consciousness oriented toward serving the most vulnerable.

Perhaps one of the strongest impressions left by RENOVAR*TE was precisely the desire for continuity. There was a sense that there was still so much more to share, discuss, and explore. And this confirms that education remains, above all, a path of encounter, discernment, and hope—a space where humanity remains more important than formalities and where educating continues to mean transforming lives.

José Manuel M. Lopes e Ângela Azevedo

 

RENOVAR*TE: University, Hope, and Educational Mission

The Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences at UCP Braga continues to draw its greatest strength from the people who are part of it and help shape it every day. This was one of the central ideas that emerged from the RENOVAR*TE meeting, an initiative that provided a space for reflection, dialogue, and sharing regarding the current challenges facing pedagogy and university identity.

Throughout the various presentations, faculty and students emerged not merely as participants in academic life, but as key players in the educational mission and true bearers of hope, capable of renewing the university’s meaning and purpose. More than an educational institution or a venue for the transmission of knowledge, the university was presented as a community built on human relationships and shared commitment.

The various perspectives shared highlighted a challenge that is becoming increasingly evident: conceiving an Ignatian pedagogy for our time requires more than ready-made answers or immediate solutions. It demands the ability to listen, discernment, closeness, and the courage to imagine new forms of university presence capable of responding to the demands and changes of the contemporary world.

Throughout the meeting, it became clear how important dialogue is as a starting point for developing ideas and finding common ground. The presentations helped highlight the need to rethink the educational mission in light of today’s challenges, reinforcing the idea that the university remains a privileged space for shaping individuals and fostering hope.

RENOVAR*TE thus left behind a shared conviction: in a time of rapid change, the university continues to assert itself as a place of encounter, reflection, and commitment, where education remains deeply linked to the capacity to transform people and open up horizons for the future.

Catarina Nogueira

Universal values that are easy to understand

Reflecting on the vocation of Jesuit higher education is a duty for all who recognize its value. We are speaking of universal values that are simple to understand: Openness, Freedom, and Hope. Openness to the world, Freedom of Thought, and Hope for the Future are the foundations for building a rich, pluralistic, and inclusive society that is attentive to others, particularly those living on the margins. Rich through open discussion and debate, pluralistic through the acceptance of different worldviews, and inclusive through the welcoming of the stranger. In this world where everything points toward the reign of antipathy, Jesuit-based education is a place, a space, and a reality that fosters empathy.

That is why being welcomed into these gatherings gives meaning to what I seek, strengthens my conviction that I am on the right path, and alerts me to the richness of life.

José Vale Machado

The event also featured presentations by academics Luís da Silva Pereira and Eugénio Oliveira.