February 6, 2026 – The Jesuits and colleagues of the USA Central and Southern (UCS) Province welcomed Superior General Arturo Sosa Abascal, SJ, for his province visitation beginning Jan. 26.
During his 18-day visitation, Fr. General Sosa is stopping in six cities of the province: Denver, St. Louis, Houston, New Orleans, San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Belize City, Belize. In each location, he meets with leaders of the local apostolates and celebrates the Eucharist with the Jesuits of the region.
His homilies and talks in each place return to central themes of reconciliation, the service of justice – specifically the Jesuit mission to the frontiers, the universality of the Society and collaboration with others. At every opportunity, he emphasizes the importance of remaining close to Christ.
Father General Sosa is accompanied by Fr. Provincial Thomas P. Greene, SJ, former Missouri Province provincial and current general counselor and regional assistant for Canada and the USA Fr. Douglas W. Marcouiller, SJ, province socius Fr. Steven Schoenig, SJ, and Fr. Vernon D’Cunha, SJ, Fr. General’s Sosa’s regional assistant for south Asia.
Denver – Where it Begins
Father General Sosa appropriately began his visit in the same place Jesuits entering the UCS Province begin: at the Novitiate of St. Stanislaus Kostka in Denver. Located just off the campus of Regis University and with a view of the awe-inspiring Rocky Mountains, the novitiate is home to 14 novices who are discerning their Jesuit vocation to live lives of poverty, chastity and obedience in the service of the faith and justice in the Church today.
The Province Curia
Father General Sosa’s next stop was in St. Louis, Jan. 28 and 29. The seat of the UCS Province, St. Louis is also home to the largest number of Jesuits and Jesuit works in the province.
During his visit, Fr. General met with senior Jesuits, as well as Jesuits in formation from around the United States, Canada and the Caribbean who are studying at Saint Louis University. At St. Ignatius Hall and the Bellarmine House of Studies, respectively, he offered brief presentations, responded to questions and enjoyed a meal with his brother Jesuits.
Students at Loyola Academy of St. Louis, a school for underserved upper-elementary and middle school boys, shared with the superior general why they value their Jesuit education. Later, at Saint Louis University, Jesuits and lay partners from apostolates across the area related how they collaborate for their shared mission.
Two Jesuits Profess Final Vows
During the visitation, two Jesuits of the province, Fr. W. Penn Dawson, SJ, and Fr. Randall S. Gibbens, SJ, professed final vows in the Society of Jesus, with Fr. General Sosa receiving their vows.
Father Gibbens professed his vows on Friday, January 30, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Houston.
Father Dawson professed vows on Monday, February 2, in the Holy Name Chapel at Jesuit High School in New Orleans.
While in New Orleans, in addition to presiding at Fr. Dawson’s vow Mass, Fr. General visited the Harry Tompson Center, named for a Jesuit priest, which provides services to people without housing. He toured the center and chatted and prayed with guests.
La Isla del Encanto
Father General Sosa’s next stop was in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Feb. 3-5. He first visited the Centro Universitario Católico (or Catholic University Center, CUC), on the campus of the University of Puerto Rico in Río Piedras (UPR–RP). The CUC has served the university community for nearly a century. Since its founding – and especially following its apostolic renewal in August 2023 – the CUC has served as a space of fellowship and spiritual formation for university students and young professionals.
Today, a team of student leaders, accompanied by local Jesuits, coordinate and plan activities for the students who utilize the CUC. Activities – Masses, spiritual formation workshops, Eucharistic adoration, fellowship activities and more – are closely oriented to their spiritual needs and attentive to the issues that most concern them today.
The CUC enables university students to take greater ownership of their Catholic faith and to commit themselves more fully to their Church, especially amid the secular university environment.
Visitation Continues in Belize
Father General Sosa departed San Juan on Feb. 5, but he has not left the USA Central and Southern Province. He is currently in Belize City, Belize, preparing to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Jesuit service there. More news to follow on this grace-filled time with the superior general!
