Ignatian leadership and discernment in light of the Universal Apostolic Preferences

Over 50 Jesuits and lay collaborators gathered at Monte Cucco, just outside of Rome, to reflect on how Ignatian leadership and discernment can help realise the newly identified Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAPs), a mission from the Holy Father released to the Society of Jesus.

The participants composed of leadership development practitioners coming from a range of ministries – from parishes to retreat centres, high schools to universities, outreach centres to refugee services to province offices – included six from the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP): Fr Jojo Magadia SJ, Regional Assistant for Asia Pacific; Fr Adrianus Suyadi SJ, JCAP Secretary for Social Ministries; Fr Non Yamauchi SJ of the Japanese Province; Fr Benny Juliawan SJ of Sanata Dharma University in Indonesia; Dr Edna Franco of Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines; and Fr Karel San Juan SJ, President of Ateneo de Zamboanga University also in the Philippines.

Fr General Arturo Sosa SJ told all those gathered that the UAPs are “a call to conversion” and not merely a strategic plan or a checklist of ministries and activities. He also underlined the use of the term “preferences” rather than “priorities”. Whereas priorities emphasise the primacy of certain apostolates, probably establishing new ones and relegating some old ones, preferences should be understood more as “orientations” for focusing all Jesuit apostolates in the next 10 years.

“‘Orientations’ primarily are about giving direction which helps us reconsider and recalibrate our life and mission. UAPs are not about what to do, rather they are an inspiration about how to do, as Fr General put it”, shared Fr Juliawan.

“Working in institutions that are heritages of Jesuit legends and having very limited number of Jesuits and lay collaborators, I used to feel very lonely and powerless to respond to our mission. The conference gave me a new inspiration”, said Fr Yamauchi.