New priorities for the Jesuits announced

Feb 19th, 2019

Fr Arturo Sosa SJ

Source: Jesuits in Britain

Earlier today, (19 February) Fr General Arturo Sosa SJ announced four new Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAPs) of the Society of Jesus for the next ten years. The Jesuits say in a statement; "An 'Apostolic Preference' is a 'priority for discernment', in which we recognise the calls made to us by the Holy Spirit as we read the signs of the times."

The four UAPs are as follows:

1. PROMOTING DISCERNMENT AND THE SPIRITUAL EXERCISES

Helping people find Jesus Christ and follow Him.

We want to:

Help people find Jesus Christ and to live His Way

Accompany people as they discern complex choices

Promote in depth study of the Spiritual Exercises

Offer a deeper alternative to secularism

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.

We desire, first and foremost, a conversion in our own hearts, that makes us alive and sensitive to the suffering Christ in our midst.

Our communities desire to be more hospitable and open, learning how to live more deeply in the Spirit of Jesus, a Spirit that welcomes.

3. CARING FOR OUR COMMON HOME

Work, with Gospel depth, for the protection and renewal of God's Creation.

Our centres of higher learning want to make a difference and contribute to a change of mind and heart.

Our social centres will study root causes in collaboration with Higher Education.

Schools will ensure new generations are made aware and able to integrate this issue with their faith.

Spiritual and pastoral centres can collaborate to highlight God's call to care for His Creation.

4. JOURNEYING WITH YOUTH

Accompany young people in the creation of a hope-filled future.

We want our ministries to be spaces open to youthful creativity.

We commit to providing a heathy and safe environment for children and young people.

We will help young people to know Jesus Christ and to feel themselves loved, saved and forgiven.

We will adapt the Spiritual Exercises so that young people can deepen their knowledge of Jesus.

Fr General is asking all Jesuits worldwide, and our partners in mission, to focus on how our current and future ministries can integrate these four UAPs and address the real-world issues that they contain.

British Provincial Fr Damian Howard SJ said: "These four themes provide us with a focus which will help us to take decisions about the mission of the Jesuits in Britain. They reflect this moment of history in all its urgency. They also bear the hallmark of Pope Francis, whose desire to accompany people as they grow into a mature discerning faith is expressed in all his teaching. The Jesuits in Britain have already launched a number of initiatives to engage with young people and to help the Church to deepen its commitment to integral ecology. But there is always more we can do and these preferences call us to prayer and action."

The process of implementation now starts across the global Jesuit world. Each Jesuit, each community, each Province and Conference of Provincials will discern how to implement these preferences in concrete and practical terms.

Watch Fr General's announcement on Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgUJvtzUuZA