Just what is a Jesuit education?

You’ve probably heard the term “Jesuit education,” but what exactly does that mean? Will it make a difference? Yes, it will. A Jesuit education is not simply about reading from a textbook or researching information online. It’s about educating the whole person: YOU! In the tradition of Jesuit education, you’ll learn to think on a larger scale and be encouraged to ask questions and challenge perceptions. A Jesuit education isn’t just about completing a college degree – although that’s something you’ll certainly accomplish here. It’s about an education of mind, body and soul, and instilling a love of learning, spiritual growth, and commitment to service that you’ll take with you long after you graduate from Le Moyne College.

The Search: What It Means to be Jesuit

Video

Who was St. Ignatius? What is the Society of Jesus? And why is Jesuit education so important in today's world? Watch this short video and get answers to all these questions -- and more.

Who are the Jesuits?

Founded by St. Ignatius Loyola, the Society of Jesus began in 1534 at the University of Paris by a group of students dedicated to living in the service of God through education and allegiance to the Pope. Today, the Jesuits are the single-largest order of priests within the Catholic Church, comprised of approximately 17,000 working in over 100 countries on six continents. The Jesuits have been brought further into the spotlight recently with the election of Pope Francis, the first Jesuit Pope. The order has long been known for its rigorous standard of education at schools and institutes of high learning around the world, including 28 universities and colleges in the United States. Le Moyne College is the second youngest Jesuit college in the U.S., although it’s been around since 1946, and those Jesuits who live and work on our campus continue to be an important presence here as they actively participate in their roles as clergy, professors, mentors, and spiritual guides for students and faculty.

Inspired by St. Ignatius

The Jesuit community at Le Moyne is much more than just the number of priests who live and teach on our campus. It extends to the many members of our college community involved with various Ignatian-inspired programs and activities -- taking place both on and off campus -- for the benefit of our students.

With the overall number of avowed religious continuing to decline, the development of programs such as the Ignatian Colleagues Program (ICP), a national program that allows faculty and administrators to learn and experience first-hand the tenets of a Jesuit education. On campus, the College has several programs for faculty, administrators and staff to examine Ignational spirituality -- and put what they learn into practice in the classroom, in residence halls and in any interaction with students.

Why choose Le Moyne College for a Jesuit education?

College isn’t just about choosing a major that will land you career opportunities. Of course, that’s important, but it’s not the entire picture. College is a time to learn about a variety of subjects you’ve always been interested in, about your ethical standards and your faith, about the person you want to be – today and tomorrow. Of course, in the Jesuit tradition, academic expectations are high and the liberal arts-based curriculum is challenging – but isn’t that what you want from a college education? However, a Jesuit education also cultivates mind, body and spirit. It builds leaders and individuals with a desire to serve others, and it forms students into those who aren’t afraid to examine their own values, attitudes and beliefs. Isn’t that the kind of person you want to be? 

Terms of Interest

 

Ignatian
St. Ignatius Statue

This refers to aspects of the spirituality initiated by Ignatius and the Jesuits that are applicable for all people. 

Le Moyne Dolphins

Latin for “more,” this is the challenge to strive for excellence.


Cura Personalis

This Latin term means “care for the individual person” and describes respect for the dignity of each person as a child of God. It leads to the teacher involving the student in the process of learning and expressing personal care for each individual.


Educating the whole person

Peter­-Hans Kolvenbach, S.J., a recent superior general of the Society of Jesus, said that Jesuit schools should “educate the whole person of solidarity for the real world.” This translates to learning through contact, not just concepts: first­-hand experience, service­-learning, outreach.

Finding God in All things

Those at Jesuit institutions should seek to find God in all things — divine revelation, the natural world, human experience and every academic discipline that explores these orders of knowledge. This active discernment can lead to spiritual development made possible by the liberal arts ideal of studying a broad spectrum of topics to have a sense of the unity of knowledge.

For others

Coined by Pedro Arrupe, S.J., who’s considered the founder of the modern, post­-Vatican II Society of Jesus, this phrase speaks to the heart of the Jesuit tradition: We must become “people who cannot even conceive of love of God which does not include love for the least of their neighbors.” A Jesuit education encourages students to integrate contemplation and action, so they become men and women with well­-developed minds, generous hearts and reflective souls — “agents of change” who work to bring about a more just, humane world.

— Information from “Do You Speak Ignatian?” by George W. Traub, S.J.

St. Ignatius

After recovering, he traveled to the monastery of Montserrat near Barcelona, and there dedicated himself to the service of God. His conversion was deepened through ten months of prayer at Manresa, a town about ten miles away. There he experienced visions and anxieties, joys and scruples, and learned to discern the difference between the workings of God and those of the evil spirit. In mystical visions beyond words, Ignatius experienced the love of the Trinity communicating itself to us and acting within creation out of love for us. He began to free himself from anything holding him back from God. And he greatly desired to share his experience of God with others.

Excerpt from manresa – sj.org