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The Universal Apostolic Preferences. The fruit of a process of discernment.

“There can be a temptation to rush ahead, or to fit what we are already doing into the Preferences, or to tick the boxes to affirm our current plans. But by doing this we would miss the call to a deeper conversion and to a deeper renewal; we would miss the magis. If the Preferences are truly to be a dynamic path that can guide us for the next ten years, then beginning the journey patiently and prayerfully is of the utmost importance.” Fr. General Arturo Sosa, SJ

We are invited to reflect on these Universal Apostolic Preferences and to discern our response to them.



REFLECT on the Apostolic Preferences

Pray and deepen your understanding of the Universal Apostolic Preferences.

SHARE through Spiritual Conversations

Speak with others and listen to them about the Universal Apostolic Preferences.

DISCERN with your Community

Discern in community how to respond to the Universal Apostolic Preferences.

RESPOND with Apostolic Planning

Set strategic directions for your school to act on
the Apostolic Preferences.

 

“The Universal Apostolic Preferences are a call to conversion.

They are an invitation to rethink how we live, how we work and how we relate to the people we serve.”

Fr. General Arturo Sosa, SJ.

If you wish, watch this short video and read Father General’s letter on the Universal Apostolic Preferences. Watch and read them prayerfully.

What if God spoke to you?

In this short video Fr. General Arturo Sosa, SJ explains the new Universal Apostolic Preferences.

Watch Video

The Official letter by Fr. General Arturo Sosa, SJ

This is the official letter by Fr. General Arturo Sosa, SJ presenting the Universal Apostolic Preferences.

Read Letter

 

Spend some time praying and reflecting on this question:

In what ways are we being called to respond to the Universal Apostolic Preferences in the way we live, work and relate to the people we serve?

48 minutes presentation by Fr. General Arturo Sosa, SJ.

Interview with Fr. John Dardis SJ, General Counsellor for Discernment and Apostolic Planning.

The Preferences: a movement of profound change. A webinar with Fr. General Arturo Sosa SJ (Spanish)

Universal Apostolic Preferences #UAP by Fr. Arturo Sosa, S.J.

Slide deck about the UAPS with questions for reflection and analysis by Fr. José Mesa, SJ.

Prayer services on the four Preferences by JEASA, Bombay Province.

Introducing the Universal Apostolic Preferences by Philip Endean sj

Discerning Preferences by John Dardis, S.J.

Eight Days Ignatian Retreat with the Universal Apostolic Preferences by José de Pablo, SJ

 

“What we share in spiritual conversation are personal experiences. Spiritual conversation is the practice of finding God in those experiences while paying attention to our emotions, desires and dreams.”

Luz Marina Díaz, PhD.

The type of spiritual conversation we practice usually have three rounds and on this First Round, you are invited to share with your group your reflections on the question below. Each participant will be given five to ten minutes to share and the designated timer is requested to remind each speaker about the time.

In what ways are we being called to respond to the Universal Apostolic Preferences in the way we live, work and relate to the people we serve?

First round: Personal Sharing

Active and Attentive Listening

  • Listen to others without judgement
  • Pay attention not only to the words, but also to the tone and feelings of the speaker
  • Avoid the temptation of using the time to prepare what you will say instead of listening

 
Intentional Speaking

  • Express your experiences, thoughts, and feelings as clearly as you can
  • Listen actively to yourself, mindful of your own thoughts and feelings as you speak
  • Monitor possible tendencies to be self-centered when speaking

Introduction to Spiritual Conversation by Fr. John Dardis, S.J.

Short document about the method of Spiritual Conversations

Comprehensive article about the method of Spiritual Conversations

Guidelines for Spiritual Conversation

 

“The conviction that God is acting in history and is constantly communicating with human beings is the assumption on which our efforts to discern in common are based. For this reason, we should seek out those conditions which allow us to hear the Holy Spirit and be guided by Him in our life-mission.”

Fr. General Arturo Sosa SJ.

There will be two rounds of sharing and discernment here, and in every round each participant will be given five to ten  minutes to share. The designated timer is requested to remind each speaker about the time.

Second round: Reflective Sharing

Hearing

  • What struck you during the First Round?
  • Were you struck by a common theme?
  • Was there something that you expected but did not hear?

Feeling

  • Where did you experience harmony/dissonance while listening to others share? Why did you feel that?
  • What emotions are you feeling now? What do you think does this mean?
  • What insights have occurred to you during this round?

Third round: Discussion and Consensus

  • What spiritual movements can we identify from the two rounds of sharing?
  • Are there emerging consensus points?
  • What next steps do you think are we being asked to take?

Prayer of Thanksgiving

  • To close the process, each one may share a prayer of thanksgiving

Official letter by Fr. General Arturo Sosa, SJ on Discernment in Common

Article by Former Fr. General Alfonso Nicolás, SJ about Common Apostolic Discernment

Discernment in the everyday by Fr. John Dardis, S.J.

Comprehensive document about Apostolic Discernment in Common 


FIND INSPIRATION IN HOW OTHER REGIONS ARE RESPONDING TO THE UAPs


Sunny Jacob, SJ shares his views on the UAPs

#JESUITSTORIES: Living the Universal Apostolic Preferences

When suitable and desired, you may proceed with the Apostolic Planning to discern and define apostolic strategies and specific actions for your school.

In this additional page you will find a simple guide to conduct Apostolic Planning for your institution using Discernment in Common in light of the Universal Apostolic Preferences.

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