Social Ministries and the UAPs

In February 2019, the Jesuits launched four universal apostolic preferences (UAPs), received as a mission from the Holy Father, to guide the work of the global Society over the next 10 years. The UAPs are:

• To show the way to God through the Spiritual Exercises and discernment
• To walk with the poor, the outcasts of the world, those whose dignity has been violated, in a mission of reconciliation and justice
• To accompany the young in the creation of a hope-filled future
• To collaborate in the care of our Common Home

Inextricably interrelated, the UAPs are orientations for every Jesuit, each of our ministries, and all lay collaborators, intended to set our hearts on fire and move us to act. They are not a strategic planning checklist, but away of being to focus all our apostolates. The preferences go beyond doing something- rather they are about personal, communal and institutional transformation.

Social ministries leaders have vital experiences and voices to bring to prayer, spiritual conversations and communal discernments about animating the UAPs. We are called to bring the cries of the poor, the young and the Earth that we hear in our accompaniment and work for justice. Through collaboration with our community, organization and interfaith partners, we can work towards the transformational change the UAPs ask of us.