The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops in 1999 authored a pastoral plan for adult faith formation in the United States entitled Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us. This document made clear a new priority for adult faith formation, highlighting the idea that we are all called to grow in discipleship throughout life, to build vibrant parish and diocesan communities of faith and service, and to continue to foster spiritual growth for parents of school-age students.
As the Bishops stated, “We seek to form adults who actively cultivate a lively baptismal and Eucharistic spirituality with a powerful sense of mission and apostolate. Nourished by word, sacrament and communal life, they will witness and share the Gospel in their homes, neighborhoods, places of work, and centers of culture.”
That same spirit is embedded in the Jesuit mission and apostolate of adult faith development. From Our Way of Proceeding from the Jesuit Schools Network, “After nearly five centuries of experience, the Jesuit and Ignatian charism can readily be recognized in… a spirituality that fosters a relationship with Christ as a model for adult living… in our commitment to the goodness and uniqueness of every individual, every person … and a commitment to partnership with companions who share the Ignatian vision.