Jesuits' 10 year Universal Apostolic Preferences 2019-2029

By Our Own Correspondent

Rome, Italy, 20 February 2019 -- One year before the GC28 each Salesian is called to ponder the discernment question: "What kind of Salesians for the Youth of today?" Each of the three previous SDB General Chapters has chosen a similar discernment path of 3 steps: Listen - Interpret and Discern the Way Forward.

The Society of Jesus (Jesuits) have the spirituality of discernment as part of their DNA. Two years after their General Chapter (GC36 in 2017) yesterday they made public their 'Universal Apostolic Preferences'. What we can learn from this discernment process?

"Universal Apostolic Preferences are the fruit of a process of discernment lasting almost two years.

All Jesuits were invited to take part and in addition our mission partners. 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. 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."

In the letter released by Fr Arturo Sosa SJ, Superior General of the Society of Jesus, are explained the four 'Universal Apostolic Preferences":

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".

On the World Jesuit Website is stressed, that An apostolic preference is a “priority for discernment”, a recognition that our common discernment has highlighted certain movements of the Holy Spirit that demand our attention and our resources.

The Apostolic Preferences give “accents” for our mission, designed to invite and inspire all Jesuits, along with partners in mission, to hear the voice of the Spirit and to take action. Superior General is asking Jesuits and our colleagues to focus on how our current and future ministries can integrate the Universal Apostolic Preferences and address the real-world issues that they contain.

The process of discerning began when the delegates of the General Congregation 36 in 2016 asked Fr General to review the preferences from 2003: Challenge to our Mission Today and Decree 40: “We invite Fr General to continue to discern the preferences for the Society, to review the above preferences, to update their specific content, and to develop plans and programs that can be monitored and evaluated. The Universal Apostolic Preferences were given to Pope Francis on February 6, who prayed with them before returning them to Fr General Sosa as a MISSION from the Holy Father. Currently there are 15, 536 Jesuits around the world carrying out this mission."

Within the broader Universal Church communion, the Salesians too might especially learn the art and skills of discernment from another religious congregation during this period of Provincial Chapters in 2019 which are taking place in our provinces.

Full text of the Four Universal Mission Preferences: https://jesuits.global/en/uap

Message on the Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgUJvtzUuZA (Fr General Sousa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80znqqitP48 (Presentation of 4 Preferences)

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