Lord, during this congregation, may we be attentive to the voice of the Spirit. Grant us the gift of discernment and the desire to serve the Church. Strengthen our fidelity to the Pope and our desire to make you known. Give to us an authentic love for the poor and the least, the desire to work for justice and peace, the heart of a good shepherd, enthusiasm in promoting dialogue.

St. Ignatius was adamant about removing as many temptations as possible for Jesuits to seek leadership positions in the church, since he had seen what ambition did to some of the churchmen of his time. Thus, when Jesuits pronounce their final vows, they make an additional promise against “ambitioning” for jobs, and even to turn in anyone who has been “ambitioning” or campaigning. So with no electioneering permitted, how to surface names for the right candidates in the General Congregation? The “murmurationes” is an elegant answer to that.