Men and Women for Others

In this landmark speech to Jesuit Alumni in 1973, Father General Pedro Arrupe SJ stressed the need for Jesuit education to lead to a commitment to work for justice in the world.

The document is available here.

We Live in a Broken World

This reflection on environmental issues, how Ignatian spirituality provides an orientation for responding to them, and ways in which Jesuit communities and works might take action was issued in 1999.  It was a response to GC 34's request that Father General commission such a study.

The document is available here.

The Service of Faith & the Promotion of Justice in American Jesuit Higher Education

Father General Peter Hans Kolvenbach SJ, speaking at a conference in 2000, reflects on what faith and justice has meant for Jesuits since 1975.  He notes the concrete circumstances of the day, suggests what justice rooted in faith could mean in American Jesuit higher education, and concludes with an agenda for the first decade of the millennium.

The document is avaailable to read here.

Letter to the Whole Society on Poverty

Father General Peter Hans Kolvenbach SJ explores the meaning and practice of evangelical poverty and the new statutes on poverty in this 2003 letter.  He stresses the need for conversion of heart, and communal discernment by Jesuit communities taking into account three criteria set by St Ignatius.

The document is available here.

Jesuit Social Centres - Structuring the Social Apostolate

This study on Jesuit-run Social Centres all over the world was published in February 2005. It includes a comprehensive overview over the history and current activities of the Social Centres and makes recommendations for the future.

The document is available here.

Characteristics of the Social Apostolate

The Social Justice Secretariat of the General Curia explores the purpose of Jesuit social ministries in this 1998 document which seeks to establish a common basis on which Jesuits and companions can meet, reflect and work more closely together in this area.

The document is available here.

Letter on the Social Apostolate

Peter-Hans Kolvenbach in this January 2000 letter summarizes the characteristics of the Social Apostolate and its current strengths and weaknesses. The letter explains "why and how to strengthen the social apostolate, locally and beyond, so that the social dimension of the Society's universal mission may find ever more concrete and effective expression in who we are, what we do, how we live."

The document is available here.

Where the Mind is Without Fear and the Head is Held High

In this 2003 address to the World Congress of Jesuit Alumni/ae, Father General Peter Hans Kolvenbach SJ stresses that our faith in God, our religion and prayer, are barren and meaningless unless they open our eyes to fellow human beings in need. He challenges recipients of Jesuit education to act for justice and human dignity.

The document is available here.

Globalisation & Marginalisation: Our Global Response

In this 2006 report, the Task Force on Globalization & Marginalization of the Social Justice Secretariat of the General Curia presents regional reports on the situation, challenges for discernment, and principles to guide responses. It proposes a series of global strategies for the Society of Jesus internationally. 

The document is available here.  

A summary and discussion guide are available here.