The highest authority in the Society of Jesus is the General Congregation, an assembly of the Jesuit representatives from all parts of the world. A general congregation is always summoned on the death or resignation of the administrative head of the order—called the Superior General—to choose his successor, and it may be called at other times if circumstances warrant. A smaller congregation of worldwide representatives meets every three years to discuss internal business and to decide the need for a general congregation. Through its four-century history, the Society has convened only 34 general congregations, the 33rd of which installed Peter Hans Kolvenbach as Superior General of the Order. One of the most important recent congregations took place in two sessions (1965–1966) to revise Jesuit law and accommodate it to the spirit of the Second Vatican Council. IHS gold blue logo of the Society of Jesus This image depicts a seal, an emblem, a coat of arms or a crest. ... Seal of the Society of Jesus. ... The Society of Jesus (Latin: Societas Iesu), commonly known as the Jesuits, is a Roman Catholic religious order. ... The Very Reverend Peter Hans Kolvenbach, S.J. serves as the current Superior General. ... Peter Hans Kolvenbach, current Superior-General of the Catholic order or the Jesuits, in Goa, India, Nov 9, 2006. ... 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1965 calendar). ... 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1966 calendar). ... The Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, or Vatican II, was an Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church opened under Pope John XXIII in 1962 and closed under Pope Paul VI in 1965. ...

On February 2, 2006, the Superior General Peter Hans Kolvenbach convoked the 35th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus, to begin January 5th, 2008, in Rome, after "having heard the representatives and obtained the consent of His Holiness Benedict XVI". At the same time he announced his resignation to the post of Superior General of the Society of Jesus. The 35th general Congregation will therefore elect a new Superior General as well as discuss some "very important matters concerning the whole body of the Society of Jesus", the situation which requires a General Congregation [1]. Peter Hans Kolvenbach, current Superior-General of the Catholic order or the Jesuits, in Goa, India, Nov 9, 2006. ... Seal of the Society of Jesus. ... The Very Reverend Peter Hans Kolvenbach, S.J. serves as the current Superior General. ... The Very Reverend Peter Hans Kolvenbach, S.J. serves as the current Superior General. ...