Adolfo nicolás biography sj

Adolfo Nicolás Pachón SJ (29 April 1936 – 20 May 2020) was a Spanish Jesuit priest of the Catholic Church.
Spanish-born Adolfo Nicolás, SJ, (1936–2020) was the 30th Superior General of the Society of Jesus.
Biography, images and documents of Adolfo Nicolás (1936-2020), 30th Superior General of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits).

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Celebrating the Life of Fr. Adolfo Nicolás, SJ, 30th Superior General of the Society of Jesus

Jesuits mourn the passing of former Superior General, who was “a man of grace and wisdom, simple, unpretentious, dedicated”

May 20, 2020 — Fr. Adolfo Nicolás, SJ, 30th Superior General of the Society of Jesus, died May 20, 2020, in Tokyo, Japan. Fr. Nicolás, 84, was a member of the Jesuit community of Loyola House in Kamishakujii and had been ill for a number of years. He is deeply mourned by the Jesuits of Japan and Asia Pacific, his family and friends in Spain, and by Jesuits and friends around the world.

“I offer my sincere condolences to the Jesuit Province of Japan, to Fr. Nicolas’ family, to the Jesuits in Spain and the Philippines and to his many friends all around the world,” said Fr. Arturo Sosa, SJ, current Superior General. “Fr. Nicolás gave of himself throughout his life. It was a life marked by intense service, calm availability and a deep ability to inculturate in Japan, where he went as a young Jesuit. It was a culture he loved dearly and to which he commit

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Remembering Fr Nicolás

Adolfo Nicolás Pachón SJ 1936 – 2020

Born 29 April 1936, 30^th Superior General of the Society of Jesus

Fr Adolfo Nicolás SJ (middle) with fellow former East Asia and Oceania (now Asia Pacific) Conference President Fr Mark Raper SJ and current President President Fr Tony Moreno SJ.

Infectious humour, refreshing simplicity, clear insight and natural warmth have characterised Fr Adolfo Nicolás in many roles and responsibilities. Jesuits and collaborators across the world could relate to him as a leader certainly and easily as a friend. Somehow the roles of leadership to which he was called, which included Provincial of the Japanese Province (1993 – 1999), Conference President (2004 – 2008) and later General (2008 – 2016), were a surprise to him. Yet he fulfilled each with a distinctive simplicity, grace and warmth.

As a Spanish missionary in Japanese society, Nico, as he was affectionately and widely known, developed a sensitivity and respect for cultural difference. He guided and taught at the richly diverse East Asian Pastoral Ins

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«For everything – whether it is spirituality or social apostolate, whatever it might be – there is no shortcut. There is always a long way; real change and real insights come through a long process.»

Early years and vocation

Father Adolfo Nicolás was born on April 29, 1936 in Palencia, Spain. His parents were Adolfo Nicolás Rico and Modesta Pachón.

The political turpitudes of that time in Spain forced his family to leave their region of origin and to move often. Adolfo spent a large part of his childhood in Barcelona.

After thinking about a career in education among as a member of a congregation of Brothers, he was put in contact with the Jesuits by his brother and he attended a Jesuit school in Madrid. He entered the novitiate in September 1953 in Aranjuez.

During his philosophy, he responded to a call from the then General, Father Jansens, who invited Jesuits to volunteer for missions abroad. This is the origin of his vocation as a missionary in Japan.

In Japan and the Philippines

He graduated in philosophy in Alcalá and Madrid, then went to Japa