August 8, 2019 — This last article in the Prayer with Preferences series returns to the ultimate foundation of the whole process of Universal Apostolic Preferences, and thus to the basis of the whole discernment process that will guide their appropriation in the Jesuit apostolates and communities across Canada.
The capsule (PDF enclosed here) emphasizes the fundamental importance of our relationship with God, be it through Scripture excerpts, the Constitutions or Pope Francis’ letter of support for the Preferences.
The first preference is capital because it presupposes as a basic condition the Jesuits’ relationship with the Lord in a personal and communal life of prayer and discernment. I recommend to you that, in your service as Superior General, you insist on this. Without this prayerful attitude the other preferences will not bear fruit.
According to Philip Endean, SJ, the Universal Apostolic Preferences, born of a common discernment, should inspire us every day. They should bring about a personal, communal and institutional change. With the Praying with the Preferences capsules and other tools that we have provided, we hope we have been able to help Jesuit apostolates and communities master the UAPs to more fully grasp the path of renewal which they offer.
