Reimagining our Intellectual Apostolate through the House of Writers

This article reimagines the Jesuit intellectual apostolate by proposing the revival of ‘houses of writers’ as agile, mission-focused complements to universities. While universities remain valuable for Jesuit education, their institutional ‘sclerosis’ and bureaucratic demands can limit flexibility and responsiveness. Drawing on the historical role of houses of writers, with a contemporary case study of Brotéria in Lisbon, the essay argues for the establishment of ‘houses of public intellectuals’ as dynamic spaces fostering hospitality, erudition, and independence. These houses would enable Jesuits to engage directly with society, offering an alternative intellectual model suited to cosmopolitan and urban contexts. The essay advocates a hybrid approach where Jesuit intellectual life can flourish beyond the confines of university structures, enriching the apostolate’s reach.