February 20, 2019
Universal Apostolic Preferences are the fruit of a process of discernment lasting almost two years. All Jesuits and some of our mission partners were invited to take part in that process. It concluded with a confirmation from Pope Francis in a special meeting with Fr General Arturo Sosa. The Preferences give a horizon, a point of reference to the whole Society of Jesus. They capture our imaginations and awaken our desires. They unite us in our mission. The new Preferences are four areas vital for our world today, namely:
1. PROMOTING DISCERNMENT AND THE SPIRITUAL EXERCISES. Helping people find Jesus Christ and follow Him.
2. WALKING WITH THE EXCLUDED. Walk alongside the poor, the vulnerable, the excluded and those whom society considers worthless, in a mission of reconciliation and justice.
3. CARING FOR OUR COMMON HOME. Work, with Gospel depth, for the protection and renewal of God’s Creation.
4. JOURNEYING WITH YOUTH. Accompany young people in the creation of a hope-filled future.
The Society of Jesus will pay special attention to them in the next ten years. We invite you to learn more and take action with us! We want to make a Gospel difference.
To Love and Serve in all Things
We live in a world where so many people have not heard of Jesus; others, because of secularism, have turned away. In addition, the scandals of sexual and indeed other forms of abuse have wounded many people. Jesus is the Door to life. He builds up His body. He wants us to be light and salt for the world. He wants to bring fire, passion, love to all people. The door to carry out our mission of faith and to renew the Society, the Church and our broken world is through a closer contact with Jesus Christ and a deep love of Him. This comes before any priority and is the foundation of any planning.
We commit to engage in a new reflection on the key issues of our times and a rigorous intellectual study of them. In a time of fundamentalisms, we want to witness to a faith that faces emerging questions with honesty and that can debate them with sincerity and openness. Through these Preferences, we want to open ourselves to renewal. We want to strengthen our identity as a part of the Church which is a field hospital – a Church that goes out, a Church of the frontiers, a field hospital where wounds are bandaged, a Church where hearts are healed and love is once more made possible.
To know more about the Universal Apostolic Preferences, click here.