Rorate Caeli, which is a vast treasure trove of information, has a link to a translation of Pope Benedict XVI's letter to the Jesuits, which is up on Creighton University's site.
Like much of Benedict XVI's writing, there is steel beneath the velvet. He reads like a kindly old professor who nonetheless makes sure that his student understands the lesson. He is patient and thorough.
He makes some of the same points I suggested in this post as the first two things the Jesuits need to do -- so, I guess the Pope and I are on the same page at least.
To my first point, on the absolute fidelity to the pope:
Indeed regarding this theme, how can one not recognize the valid contribution which the Society offers to the Church’s activity in various fields and in many ways? Truly a great and meritorious contribution, one which only the Lord will be able to rightly reward! As did my venerated Predecessors, the Servants of God Paul VI and John Paul II, I too gladly wish to take this opportunity of a General Congregation to bring such a contribution to light and, at the same time, to offer for your common reflection some considerations which might be of encouragement for you and a stimulus to implement ever better the ideal of the Society, in full fidelity to the Magisterium of the Church, such as described in the following formula which is well familiar to you: “To serve as a soldier of God beneath the banner of the Cross and to serve the Lord alone and the Church, his spouse, under the Roman Pontiff, the Vicar of Christ on earth” (Apostolic Letter Exposcit debitum, 21 July 1550).One treats here of a “peculiar” fidelity confirmed also, by not a few among you, in a vow of immediate obedience to the Successor of Peter “perinde ac cadaver”. The Church has even more need today of this fidelity of yours, which constitutes a distinctive sign of your Order, in this era which warns of the urgency of transmitting in an integral manner to our contemporaries — distracted by many discordant voices — the unique and immutable message of salvation which is the Gospel, “not as the word of men, but as it truly is, as the word of God”, which works in those who believe.
In other words, "We appreciate everything you've done. Now, it is time to be loyal." Perinde ac cadaver -- which is the guidance of the Jesuits' founder, Ignatius of Loyola, on the subject of fidelity, I translate as "like unto a corpse", i.e., even unto death. As the body responds to the mind, so the Jesuits should respond to the Pope.
As for the second point, fidelity to the Magisterium,
That this might come to pass, it is indispensable — as earlier the beloved John Paul II reminded participants of the 34th General Congregation — that the life of the members of the Society of Jesus, as also their doctrinal research, be always animated by a true spirit of faith and communion in “humble fidelity to the teachings of the Magisterium” (Insegnamenti, vol. I, pp. 25-32). I heartily hope that the present Congregation affirms with clarity the authentic charism of the Founder so as to encourage all Jesuits to promote true and healthy Catholic doctrine. As Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, I had the opportunity to appreciate the valid collaboration of Jesuit Consultors and experts, who, in full fidelity to their charism, contributed in a considerable way to the faithful promotion and reception of the Magisterium. Certainly this is not a simple undertaking, especially when called to announce the Gospel in very different social and cultural contexts and when having to deal with different mentalities. I therefore sincerely appreciate such labor placed at the service of Christ, labor which is fruitful for the true good of souls in the measure in which one lets oneself be guided by the Spirit, remaining humble as regard the teachings of the Magisterium, having reference to those key principles of the ecclesial vocation of the theologian which are delineated in the Instruction Donum veritatis. The evangelizing work of the Church very much counts on the formative responsibility which the Society has in the areas of theology, of spirituality, and of mission. And, really so as to offer the entire Society of Jesus a clear orientation which might be a support for generous and faithful apostolic dedication, it could prove extremely useful that the General Congregation reaffirm, in the spirit of Saint Ignatius, its own total adhesion to Catholic doctrine, in particular on those neuralgic points which today are strongly attacked by secular culture, as for example the relationship between Christ and religions; some aspects of the theology of liberation; and various points of sexual morality, especially as regards the indissolubility of marriage and the pastoral care of homosexual persons.
In other words, we aren't changing church teaching, so it's time for you to do your job and start teaching it.
And now a bit of a digression, which is a little silly, but perhaps you will indulge me . . .
A point the Pope doesn't make is an observation that's come to my mind in the last few days. Remember, that in any anti-Catholic literature, the Jesuits are supposed to be the bad guys. For instance, in the detestable, but nevertheless always inadvertantly amusing Chick tracts, they are the secret force motivating the Nazis, as revealed in the Alberto comic book series (I've really got to do a panel by panel fisking of the Chick tracts; it would truly be entertaining).
Now think of recent anti-Catholic literature. In The Da Vinci Code, who are the bad guys? Not the Jesuits, but Opus Dei. Opus Dei isn't even a religious order, and Dan Brown had to invent the idea that Opus Dei has assassin monks. How badly have the Jesuits lost their way? They're no longer feared by the Church's enemies, or painted as bogeyman to scare small children. That job now belongs to Opus Dei.
Why criticize the Jesuits? No one's afraid of the Jesuits anymore.
If the Jesuits want to regain their status, they really have to get that bad guy mojo working again.
UPDATE: The Jesuits choose Father Adolfo Nicolas as their general. He's largely unknown outside the Jesuit order. Here's hoping he acts as an agent of reform within the order. It surely needs it.