The General Congregation is an assembly of the Jesuit representatives from all parts of the world, and serves as the highest authority in the Society of Jesus. A General Congregation (GC) is always summoned on the death or resignation of the administrative head of the order, called the Superior General or Father 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 36 general congregations.^{[citation needed]}

The first General Congregation took place in 1558, when Father Diego Laynez was elected Superior General. It had been delayed for two years after St. Ignatius’ death because of a war between King Philip II of Spain and Pope Paul IV.

General Congregation 5 took place in 1593-4. A decree was issued preventing people of Jewish or Muslim ancestry from becoming Jesuits. This decree was formally abrogated by the 29th General Congregation in 1946.

General Congregation 11 took place in 1661. The case of Baldassare Diego Loyola, a Moroccan prince who had converted to Christianity and wanted to become a Jesuit, was discussed during this congregation. An exception was made and he was allowed to become a Jesuit priest despite being a former Muslim.

General Congregation 22 was held in June 1853. The Belgian priest Peter Jan Beckx was elected as Superior-General.

General Congregation 23 took place in Florence in 1893. Decree 46 declared that "the Society of Jesus accepts and receives with an overflowing spirit of joy and gratitude the most agreeable duty entrusted to it by our Lord Jesus Christ to practise, promote and propagate devotion to his divine heart".

General Congregation 27 took place in 1923.