Universal Apostolic Preferences

“These are the four areas of concern the Jesuits are going to live with,” explained Fr. Chris Schroeder, S.J., Chaplain of De Smet Jesuit. After thorough discernment and 16 months of work, the Society of Jesus prioritized these four areas of ministry for the next 10 years and committed to:

1. showing the way to God,
2. walking with the excluded,
3. journeying with youth, and
4. caring for our common home.

“The universal apostolic preferences will help us to overcome every form of self-centeredness and corporatism, so that we may become authentic collaborators in the Lord’s mission,” stated Fr. Arturo Sosa, S.J. in his letter to the whole society on February 19, 2019.[1] Confirmed by Pope Francis earlier that month, the UAPs are not meant to be items to cross off a list. The preferences will help, said Fr. Sosa, S.J. “if we understand them as orientations that go beyond ‘doing something’ and enable us to achieve our transformation as persons, as religious communities, and as apostolic works and institutions in which we collaborate with others.”

For the De Smet Jesuit community, “Our challenge is to find out how can we, as a school, can be a part of that,” said Pete Musso, Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction. “How can we be in companionship with the Jesuits in their journey?”

Pope Francis recommends we start at the beginning

[1] Sosa, Arturo. “Universal Apostolic Preferences of the Society of Jesus, 2019-2029 to the Whole Society.” Jesuits Global, Society of Jesus, 19 Feb. 2019, https://jesuits.global/en/documents/send/8-uap-docs/63-universal-apostolic-preferences.

Spartans lived out all four preferences on their recent mission trip to Puerto Rico. Two teachers and four students drew nearer to God, served those in dire need, and cared for people and the earth, including their work at La Esperanza Nature Preserve. Visit the blog section of our News Hub and scroll to the Service Blog section for student reflections from this trip.

Read Service Blog

• Pray and listen for God’s guidance.
• Attend Spiritual Exercises for Dummies with Fr. Schroeder, S.J.

• Volunteer for Catholic Charities.
• Help a neighbor who is marginalized.
• Vote pro-humanitarian.

• Spend time with children.
• Become familiar with struggles faced by today’s youth.

• Know what can be recycled and what goes into a landfill.
• Blue bins are for recycling aluminum or steel cans, plastic bottles, paper, and cardboard.
• Blue bins should have NO paper towels, NO napkins, NO tissue, and NO plastic bags. Only plastics 1-7 belong.
• Trash cans are for soiled paper, all napkins, tissues, paper towels, plastic cups, containers, Styrofoam, and frozen food containers.