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Showing the Way to God: Ignatian Spiritual Direction and the Universal Apostolic Preferences

  • Office of Ignatian Spirituality 8600 Lasalle Road, Suite 620 Towson, MD, 21286 United States (map)

This online program presented by Barbara Quinn, RSCJ, and Fr. Joseph S. Costantino, SJ, offered spiritual directors who attended the chance to connect the deep listening that is at the heart of spiritual direction with the distinct call to listen to the needs and groaning of the larger world. Watch above!

Participants learned more about the UAPs and the insights and inspiration they hold for the ministry of spiritual direction. This program:

  • Explored how spiritual directors relate now or might relate to the UAPs in their personal and professional lives.

  • Examined the spirit of listening that is integral to the UAPs and their development.

  • Offered spiritual directors ongoing formation in Ignatian spirituality as it is being lived out globally today.

  • And prepared and uniquely position Ignatian spiritual directors to bring a listening presence to the needs of the world that are begging to be heard.


The Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAPs) guide the global Jesuit mission in four areas vital for our world today. They are the fruit of listening to the spirit, and they offer spiritual directors a pedagogy for listening.

  • How are we called in these complex times to listen to the spirit at work in our personal lives and in the lives of our directees?

  • How can we bring that listening spirit to the needs and groaning of the larger world?

  • What can the UAPs teach us about staying attuned to the larger world while also turning our attention to the world of the directee and what they bring to us?

Learn more about the UAPs by clicking here.

About our Presenters


Barbara Quinn, RSCJ, is a member of the Religious of the Sacred Heart, an international community of women.  Barb is currently serving as the Associate Director of Spiritual Formation at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry.  She previously served as the founding director of the University of San Diego's Center for Christian Spirituality.  Barb has given talks and facilitated spiritual direction and retreats for over 40 years in the US, Uganda, India, Australia, Ireland, the Philippines, and Japan.  She earned a BA in Psychology from Rosemont College in Pennsylvania, a Master of Divinity from Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, and a Doctor of Ministry from the Catholic Theological Institute in Chicago.


Fr. Joseph S. Costantino, SJ, presently serves as the Jesuit superior of the St. Peter’s Jesuit Community in Jersey City, N.J where he is overseeing a new Jesuit residence. He served as a delegate from the Northeast Province for the Society of Jesus’ General Congregation 36 in 2016. and as the pastor of St. Ignatius of Loyola Church in Chestnut Hill, MA from 2016 through June 2022. Prior to that, he served as president of Canisius High School in Buffalo, New York from 2013 to 2015 and as pastor of the Church of St. Francis Xavier in Manhattan from 2006 to 2013. He has also served as director of vocations in the New York and Maryland Provinces and as executive director of the St. Ignatius Retreat House in New York. He earned a master’s degree in philosophy from Fordham University in New York and a Master of Divinity and Licentiate degree from Weston Jesuit School of Theology.

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November 22

Virtual Book Launch: "The Spiritual Exercises Reclaimed, 2nd Edition"

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March 25

Gazing Upon the Crucified Christ: Ignatian Compassion and Presence in Times of Suffering and Struggle