Leadership Lessons from the Jesuits

Discerning insights into how an Ignatian principle can redefine leadership and recenter organizations

Cura apostolica is a Latin phrase used by the Jesuits that simply means "care for the apostolate." More amply, this term implies the stewarding of a God-given collective enterprise, and thus it connotes caring for work that precedes the present moment and has the potential to accomplish something necessary and important for the human community across the horizon of the future. It complements―but can be overshadowed by―the idea of cura personalis, or "care for the whole person."

Leadership Lessons from the Jesuits shines a new light on the importance of cura apostolica in mission-driven organizations. Through his curation of valuable contributions from experienced leaders of Jesuit institutions, Matthew E. Carnes, SJ, articulates the ways in which conscientious care for the work, cultivation of the mission, and attention to identity can transform institutional behavior, business strategy, and the act of leading itself. The book reveals that where cura apostolica takes root, an organization's greater purpose flourishes.

Leaders in mission-driven, educational, and nonprofit sectors will grow as they reflect on these unique perspectives and Jesuit lessons.

Fr. Matthew E. Carnes, SJ, is the vice president for mission and ministry of Santa Clara University, as well as the executive director of the Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education.

Fr. Michael J. Garanzini , SJ, is former president of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities.

Fr. Arturo Sosa Abascal, SJ, is the Thirty-First Superior General of the Society of Jesus.