In Part VII, Chapter 2, 'The missions received from the Superior of the Society', Ignatius offers a generous number of criteria to help the Superior send Jesuits on mission. Where are they to be sent?Where the need is greatest and most urgent, where the mission will bear more fruit, where you can reach 'multipliers' (a word preciousto Fr Arrupe), where you can reach a greater number, or where there is no one to do the work, where the Society's reputation is at stake etc. Who is to be sent? How and for what length of time? Here again, Ignatius gives various criteria. It is up to the Superior to discern which criteria should be brought to bear in any given situation. The Constitutions do not give a blueprint for missions. Rather they give the Superior a discernment tool to help him take the best decision in a real situation. (Rotsaert, Mark. Continuity and Innovation: 34th GC)

1. LABORERS IN THE LORD’S
VINEYARD
Part 7 Chapter of the Constitutions : How Superior General Should Mission
Jesuits
European Jesuit Tertianship in Dublin
Jeffrey Pioquinto, SJ and Angelo Silerio, SJ (Philippine Province)

2. I ASK OF OUR
LORD THE
GRACE NOT TO
BE DEAF TO HIS
CALL, BUT
READY AND
ENTHUSIASTIC
TO
ACCOMPLISH
Id Quod Volo

3. These norms and criteria are presented in part
VII of the Constitutions.. In choosing and in
specifying missions we are to look outward to
the world, the vineyard, and examine where
are the greater possibilities for gaining fruit for
God’s greater glory (622-626).
Synthesis

4. Expressions like “the
more universal good,”
“the greater divine
service,” and the “greater
glory of God” appear
more that seventy times
in the constitutions. They
all mean basically the
same.
AMDG

5. Part VII of the Constitutions, Ignatius explains how
Superior General should mission Jesuits to various
works:
[T]here are many who request help [of Jesuits] while consid

6. HENCE,

7. the superior general [of the Jesuits], or whoever holds
this authority from him, ought to bestow much
careful thought on missions of this kind in order that
. . . that procedure may always be used which is
conducive to the greater service of God
and the universal good.20

8. To be sure, it is not always obvious which choice
serves the more universal good. Desiring it is
one thing (Ignatius calls it a “right and pure
intention” below), but knowing what that
means in actual practice is another.

9. THEREFORE

10. A Superior General
should make a
decision only after
prayer, rational
deliberation, and
consultation with
others.
DISCERNMENT

11. It appears that in the vineyard of the
Lord, which is so extensive, the following
procedure of selection ought to be used:

12. When other considerations are equal (and this should be
understood in everything that follows), that part of the
vineyard ought to be chosen which. . .
1. has greater need.
2. where people already are enthusiastic
about their spiritual renewal.
“If two places are equally needy, but one is less dange
From: What Magis Really Means and Why It Matters” by Fr. Barton Geger, SJ

13. If two places are equally needy, but one is less
dangerous to the welfare of the Jesuit being missioned,
the safer option should be chosen.
“There will be greater chance of success, and the one
missioned will be better preserved and disposed for sub-
sequent works. Sometimes the less risky option is the
universal good”
From: What Magis Really Means and Why It Matters” by Fr. Barton Geger, SJ

14. if two places are equally needy, but in one the
mission can be accomplished more quickly, the
easier mission should be chosen.
“For that reason, the more universal
good should not be defined as the
harder option.”From: What Magis Really Means and Why It Matters” by Fr. Barton Geger, SJ

15. If two places are equally needy, but in one the
Society owes much to benefactors, then Jesuits
should choose that place.
“Here Ignatius does not spell out his reasoning, but
he seems to mean that, aside from a matter of justice
to the benefactors in that place, the long-term
viability of the Society requires that it cultivate a
good reputation among current and potential
benefactors.”
From: What Magis Really Means and Why It Matters” by Fr. Barton Geger, SJ

16. if certain works have more lasting
value than others, they should be
preferred.

17. serving those who are influential
in society is beneficial, since they
will be a good influence on others.

18. To be clear, Ignatius was
not saying that the more
universal good is the
only legitimate criterion
for making a good
decision. Rather, it is the
distinguishing
characteristic of the
Jesuit way of proceeding

19. HENCE, THE
NEED FOR
DISCERNMEN
T

20. “The Constitutions do not give a
blueprint for missions. Rather
they give the Superior a
discernment tool to help him take
the best decision in a real
situation.”
(Rotsaert, Mark. Continuity and Innovation: 34th GC)

21. Constitutions the central
scriptural motif is, clearly,
taken from Matthew 10:
The Commissioning and
Mission of the Twelve to
go out on mission in
poverty, preaching the
good news. Jesuits see
themselves as ' ones who
are sent’.

22. Part VII of The
Constitutions
builds on ' the
election' to follow
Christ the King
in The Exercises.

23. Prayer points:
Colloquy regarding my missions in the Society (Annot. 53)
What have I done for Christ?
I recall the various assignments given me in the Society. In the spirit of
gratitude and praise,I relish in prayer the moments when I have successfully
carried out my mission.
I also recall the failures and mistakes I had committed. I then try to determine
the Lord’s message for me in these events.
What am I doing for Christ?
I recall my most recent assignments, I then celebrate in prayer the insights I
have gained because of these tasks.
I remember the challenges/struggles I have experienced and ask the Lord for
enlightenment so that I may see more clearly how He wants me to respond to
the situation.
What must I do for Christ?
Here I present to the Lord my apostolic dreams.

24. B.I then create a symbol to represent an insight or the
fruits I have received in prayer.
Drawing
Mixed medium
Objects around us

25. REFERENCES:
Rotsaert, Mark. Continuity and Innovation: 34th GC
Peter Schineller, S.J. FROM AN ASCETICAL SPIRITUALITY OF THE EXERCISES TO THE
APOSTOLIC SPIRITUALITY OF THE CONSTITUTIONS: LABORERS IN THE LORD’S VINEYARD
Fr. Barton Geger, SJ. What Magis Really Means and Why It Matters”
The constitutions of the Society of Jesus and their Complementary Norm. St. Louis, 1996