The Account of Conscience

A long time ago (!) I wrote that my Provincial (Rev. Fr. Michael Holman SJ) was visiting me in early January for my annual 'account of conscience' (also called the 'manifestation of conscience' or simply 'manifestation' in older documents). But what is an account of conscience and what does it mean in the life of a Jesuit?

Later [1], in conformity with our profession [2] and manner of proceeding, we must always be ready to travel about in various parts of the world, on all occasions when the supreme pontiff or our immediate superior [3] orders us. Therefore, to proceed without error in such missions, or in sending some persons and not others, or some for one task and others for different ones, it is not only highly but even supremely important that the superior have complete knowledge of the inclinations and motions [4] of those who are in his charge, and to what defects or sins they have been or are more moved and inclined; so that thus he may direct them better, without placing them beyond the measure of their capacity in dangers or labors greater than they could in our Lord endure with a spirit of love; and also so that the superior, while keeping to himself what he learns in secret, may be better able to organize and arrange what is expedient for the whole body of the Society. (Constitutions of The Society of Jesus, [93])

Notes:

[1] i.e. after formation

[2] of vows

[3] usually referring to the Provincial

[4] Spiritual “motions” or movements. In Ignatian literature, it refers to the interior desires, feelings etc. that each person experiences as a result of the action of the Holy Spirit (or its opposite). Discernment of spirits is the keystone of Ignatian and Jesuit spirituality.

As a missionary order, Jesuits are called to be ready to accept any mission asked of them. But how does the missioning superior (usually the Provincial) know which of his charges is up to the particular task? Of course, a vital input into any such decision is the feedback the superior receives from the peers, community members, colleagues, previous superiors etc. of his charges. Just as important, however, is the direct knowledge the superior has of his charges in the annual heart-to-heart conversation called the 'account of conscience'.

Every Jesuit makes an annual account of conscience to his Provincial or Regional/Mission superior. In addition, Jesuits in formation make an account of conscience to their local (i.e. community) superiors once every six months. The mode of giving/receiving the account of conscience can vary from place to person and person to person. Most commonly, the account of conscience takes the form of an interview/conversation that lasts about an hour. However, I do know of an instance where a superior received the account of conscience spread out over a whole morning whilst the two of them visited museums, coffee shops etc.! Often superiors take great pains to to help Jesuits (especially less experienced ones) relax into the process (Many superiors of Jesuits in formation refer to it simply as the annual or six-monthly “check in”). I should point out that the annual account of conscience is not an obligation under pain of sin as per Canon 630. Great care, especially in recent decades, has been taken to foster an environment of openness between superiors and charges that allows spiritual conversations like this to take place.

Why is the account of conscience so important in Jesuit mission and life? After all, the vast majority of religious orders (or non-religious organisations like the armed forces or even corporations, for that matter) get along perfectly well without it.

I think the answer has to do with our particular charism and spirituality. As I mentioned above, the keystone of Ignatian spirituality is the conviction that the Holy Spirit can and does interact directly with the created person. God's will for each Jesuit is mediated through a number of channels – personal movements of spirit, mission given by superiors, decisions of the hierarchical Church etc. By engaging in a personal, spiritual conversation (which is what the account of conscience is, at its heart) with each Jesuit, the superior participates in the discernment process of, for and with that individual.