Overview
The USA East Province of the Society of Jesus is the second largest province in the world and the largest in the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. With nearly 60 apostolates and institutions up and down the East Coast and in Micronesia, Jesuits USA East dedicates itself to Catholic education, spiritual formation, missionary work, justice and advocacy, all for God’s greater glory. For generations now, Jesuits and their lay colleagues have collaborated in a common mission to serve the Church and the people of God.
The USA East province faces certain realities, particularly in diminished financial resources and the number of Jesuits available to serve in ministry. In faith, we look deeper into the horizon to see more than just challenges, but also opportunities to serve anew, to forge a future of hope, justice, reconciliation, and spiritual growth.
Apostolic Priorities of the Plan
Foster Transformative Jesuit Communities
Jesuits of the USA East Province commit to fostering within our communities a transformative shift toward a more authentic living of the Jesuit vocation. We envision cultivating a prayerful, supportive, welcoming, and prophetic environment that enriches our shared faith and strengthens our commitment to justice. To achieve this, we envision the restructuring of the Jesuit life-mission to walk with Christ poor and humble.
Reimagine Apostolic and Institutional Commitments
With the number of apostolically active Jesuits declining and the simple reality of scarcity of time and resources, reducing the number of institutions to which Jesuits are missioned and reimagining our apostolic engagement is imperative. Focusing on the quality of Jesuit presence more than the quantity of those missioned is more reflective of the magis. We thus recognize the need for greater intentionality in the missioning of Jesuits to province-sponsored works.
Strengthen Ignatian Spiritual Formation for Mission
By fostering Ignatian spiritual formation for mission, the USA East Province will equip and empower more people to develop a unique personal relationship with God that is grounded in the realization that God is actively at work in all creation.
Engage with Greater Freedom in the Mission of Ecological and Social Justice
Jesuits USA East will commit intellectual talents, pastoral efforts, and organizational strengths to promote environmental justice and work for racial justice and reconciliation. We also seek to empower second- and third-generation Latino Catholics for Church leadership.
Click here to read the Executive Summary of the Apostolic Plan for Jesuits USA East.
Click here to read the Apostolic Plan for the Jesuit Community in Micronesia.
Click here to read the approval letter from Father General Arturo Sosa, SJ.