This universal Jesuit social apostolate website seeks to provide a comprehensive listing of Jesuit social centers, programs and institutions. The primary resource for this compilation is the Society of Jesus: Universal Catalogue of the Social Apostolate (2008).

 These projects are categorized into the general thematic areas which include:

1. Direct Service/Solidarity and Accompaniment (EXPERIENCE)
2. Justice Research and Education (REFLECTION)
3. Advocacy/Social Change/Empowerment (ACTION)

These three general categories are further sub-divided according to the specific focus of a center. You will also find a fourth resource section with links to some of the foundational Jesuit documents relevant to the social sector.

1. Direct Service/Solidarity and Accompaniment:

1.1 Migration / Immigration / Refugees
1.2 Human Rights
1.3 Homeless / Housing
1.4 Worker Rights / Just wages and conditions
1.5 Indigenous People
1.6 Gender / Women
1.7 Health Services
1.8 Education to economically poor
1.9 Children and Families
1.10 Poverty / discrimination
1.11 Jesuit Inspired Volunteer Programs

2. Justice Research and Education

2.1 Social Analysis (General)
2.2 Social Analysis (Regional Focus)
2.3 Service Outreach/Awareness Programs
2.4 Human Rights 2.5 Trade / Globalization
2.6 Environmental Justice / Sustainability
2.7 Healthcare Access
2.8 Social Justice and Spirituality
2.9 Peace Action / Non-Violence
2.10 Restorative Justice / Conflict Resolution
2.11 Media

3. Advocacy/Social Change/Empowerment:

3.1 Self-Help / Social Entrepreneurship / Rural Development
3.2 Legal Advocacy
3.3 Policy Advocacy / Community Organizing Efforts
3.4 Shareholder Advocacy
3.5 Leadership Training
3.6 Fundraising Organizations

This inventory only lists centers which maintain a website. Please note that several of the focus issues are quite broad in scope. For example: Human Rights is listed under Section 1) “Direct Service” and also Section 2) “Justice Education” depending on the orientation of the work (providing direct service to the oppressed or building awareness of human rights through education or research).

While every effort has been made to assign each apostolate to the appropriately themed category, the range of activity within a particular center may indeed cross into multiple categories. Therefore, it may be best to check related headings to get a fuller picture.

After password clearance, project directors are welcome to edit and update the information regarding their respective center. All registered users may utilize the blog and/or calendar feature of the website. For larger edits or additional entries, please contact socialapostolate@jesuitswisprov.org. We welcome your feedback, additions and suggestions realizing this is a work in progress!

We appreciate the promotion of this website by all social justice secretaries/coordinators and the social apostolate provincial assistants. As centers open, close or develop new websites, we ask that conference secretaries or provincial assistants periodically update us.