Working-Class Communities Close, Elite Schools Remain
The first recent closure came in Bellvitge, where the Jesuit community founded in 1968 ended its presence at the close of 2025. It was one of the Jesuits' flagship social apostolates in post-war Spain. The Jesuits also handed over responsibility for the parish of Mare de Déu de Bellvitge.
The Jesuïtes Bellvitge – Centre d'Estudis Joan XXIII school continues to operate within the Jesuit education network.
The reorganization of Jesuit communities continued in El Clot, where the Jesuit residential community at the end of the academic year 2025-2026.
The Society cited the same reasons: fewer active Jesuits, a lack of vocations, and the high average age of its members.
Institutions Staffed by Lay Collaborators
Jesuit educational and pastoral activities continue through Jesuïtes El Clot and the Sant Pere Claver Christian Community, but there are no longer Jesuits living permanently in the neighborhood.
These closures reduce the number of Jesuit houses in Catalonia to six, located in Barcelona, Badalona, Lleida, Manresa, and Sant Cugat del Vallès. The Jesuit Platform of Catalonia currently comprises around 80 Jesuits, who are responsible for educational, social, pastoral, and spiritual ministries across the region.
Their educational apostolate includes schools such as Casp, Sarrià, Gràcia, Clot, and Bellvitge, together educating approximately 12,000 students. Most of these institutions are now staffed primarily by lay professionals rather than Jesuits.
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