The Mission Entrusted to the Society of Jesus

The Mission Entrusted to the Society of Jesus (1)

The most recent General Congregation of the Society of Jesus (the 36th, in October–November 2016) called for the Universal Apostolic Preferences to be examined. It proposed something unprecedented: a shared discernment involving the whole apostolic body of the 

Society of Jesus, including Jesuit communities, apostolic works, Jesuits and companions in mission. Pope Francis was involved from the very start of the discernment, first by approving decrees of the General Congregation — and thus the mandate to review the Apostolic 

Preferences — then by taking part in designing the process to be carried out, in monitoring it, and finally in confirming its fruits. Over more than two years, a complex and consoling process of shared discernment was carried out in the communities, apostolic works, Provinces, Conferences of Major Superiors and the Council of Fr General. In a letter dated 6 February 2019, Pope Francis confirmed the discernment and handed down the Universal Apostolic Preferences 2019–2029 as the mission entrusted by the Church to the Society of Jesus, which were promulgated on 19 February 2019. It is worth recalling them once again, paying special attention to the verbs used in their wording:

A. To show the way to God through the Spiritual Exercises and discernment;

B. To walk with the poor, the outcasts of the world, those whose dignity has been violated, in a mission of reconciliation and justice;

C. To accompany young people in the creation of a hope-filled future;

D. To collaborate in the care of our Common Home.

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