
Leadership Lessons from the Jesuits
Cura Apostolica and the Mission-Driven Organization
Matthew E. Carnes(Editor)
Georgetown University Press
Will be published approx. on 7. July 2026
Book
Hardback
194 pages
978-1-64712-715-2 (ISBN)
Description
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.
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.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Washington, DC
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
US School Grade: College Graduate Student and over
Illustrations
Not illustrated
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
417 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-64712-715-2 (9781647127152)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Matthew E. Carnes
Leadership Lessons from the Jesuits
Cura Apostolica and the Mission-Driven Organization
E-Book
approx. 07/2026
Georgetown University Press
€28.99
Available for download
Persons
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.
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.
Content
Introduction
Matthew E. Carnes, SJ
1 Cura Apostolica: The Long and the Short of It
Linda M. LeMura, PhD, and John T. Ryan, EdD
2 Found and Founders at Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles
Gregory J. Boyle, SJ
3 Cura Apostolica: Constructing and Reconstructing in Jesuit Higher Education
Nancy Dallavalle, PhD
4 "It's Safe Here": Cura Apostolica in My Experience
William Muller, SJ
5 The Audacity to Lead: Shaping the Next Generation of "Leaders for Others"
Travis Russell, SJ
6 Cura Apostolica: Leading in Community
Stephanie Russell, EdD
7 The Beginnings of Things: Humility, Curiosity, and Other Critical Leadership Traits
Tania Tetlow, JD
8 The Paradox of Caring Too Much as a Leader: The More You Care, the Harder Communication Can Be
Jeanine W. Turner, PhD
9 Finding Organizational Groundedness Amid Constant Movement
Joanna Williams
Afterword: A Superior General Speaks About Cura Apostolica in the Context of US Jesuit Universities
Michael J. Garanzini, SJ, and Arturo Sosa, SJ
Acknowledgments
About the Editor and Contributors
Matthew E. Carnes, SJ
1 Cura Apostolica: The Long and the Short of It
Linda M. LeMura, PhD, and John T. Ryan, EdD
2 Found and Founders at Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles
Gregory J. Boyle, SJ
3 Cura Apostolica: Constructing and Reconstructing in Jesuit Higher Education
Nancy Dallavalle, PhD
4 "It's Safe Here": Cura Apostolica in My Experience
William Muller, SJ
5 The Audacity to Lead: Shaping the Next Generation of "Leaders for Others"
Travis Russell, SJ
6 Cura Apostolica: Leading in Community
Stephanie Russell, EdD
7 The Beginnings of Things: Humility, Curiosity, and Other Critical Leadership Traits
Tania Tetlow, JD
8 The Paradox of Caring Too Much as a Leader: The More You Care, the Harder Communication Can Be
Jeanine W. Turner, PhD
9 Finding Organizational Groundedness Amid Constant Movement
Joanna Williams
Afterword: A Superior General Speaks About Cura Apostolica in the Context of US Jesuit Universities
Michael J. Garanzini, SJ, and Arturo Sosa, SJ
Acknowledgments
About the Editor and Contributors