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4. Directly out of this contemporary mission with its integrating principle of faith and justice comes
social apostolate and its specific focus, as Complementary Norms explain. ‘The social apostolate, like every form of our apostolate, flows from mission; in planning of our apostolic activities, in fulfilling today's mission of Society in service of faith, it should take its place among those having priority. Its goal is to build a fuller expression of justice and charity into structures of human life in common.’ In each Province and Assistancy, this social apostolate incarnates social dimension of our mission, concretely embodies it in real commitments and renders it visible. In different places and in varying circumstances, social apostolate takes multiple forms: social research and publications, advocacy and human development, and direct social action with and for poor.
The Jesuit social apostolate today exhibits some noteworthy positive elements. Above all, it faces very different challenges in all corners of world with dedication, energy and creativity. There are countless examples of Jesuits involved, collaborating with others, in projects and movements to bring greater justice and charity to society. Moreover, social apostolate keeps showing capacity to attract gifted and generous co-workers, as well as candidates to Society. As if to confirm mission of faith and justice, God has providentially granted Society mysterious gift of martyrdom in recent years.
4. At same time and paradoxically, this awareness of social dimension of our mission does not always find concrete expression in a vital social apostolate. On contrary, latter manifests some troubling weaknesses: There seem to be ever fewer Jesuits available and less prepared for social apostolate, while those already in field are sometimes discouraged and scattered, somehow lacking in collaboration and organisation. Factors external to Society are also weakening social apostolate: The times are marked by unforeseeable and very rapid socio-cultural changes, not easy to read and even harder to respond to effectively (e.g., globalisation, excesses of market economy, drug traffic and corruption, mass migration, ecological degradation, outbreaks of brutal violence). Formerly-inspiring visions of society and broad strategies for structural change have ceded to scepticism or a preference, at best, for more modest projects and restricted approaches.
5. Thus social apostolate risks losing its vigour and momentum, its orientation and impact. Were this to happen in a given Province or Assistancy, then for lack of a vital and well-organised social apostolate, essential social dimension would also probably fade away bit by bit. Such a process of erosion would inevitably reduce Our mission today (GC32) and Our mission and justice (GC34) to a few obligatory but rhetorical phrases in discourse of Society, leaving our option for poor and our promotion of justice hollowed out.
May we not find ourselves ever less capable of being present - or even of hearing call to go – ‘wherever in Church, even in most difficult and extreme fields, in crossroads of ideologies, in front line of social conflict, there has been and there is confrontation between deepest desires of man and perennial message of Gospel,’ in ringing words of Pope Paul VI addressing delegates of GC32 and of Pope John Paul II addressing those of GC34.
6. So it seems of vital importance to keep striving to translate our social awareness, identity and image into effective, evangelically meaningful service to poorest and most suffering of God's people. It is a matter of continually re-discovering and re-discerning - in situ - demands and challenges which recent General Congregations pose to our social action in today's societies, cultures and religions. In "the dialogue of action," for example, we are to collaborate with others, rooted in their own religious traditions, for integral development and liberation of people.
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