“Jesuit Education Today: A Mission for Justice” Reading Group
“Jesuit Education Today: A Mission for Justice” is a series of six luncheon gatherings for faculty and staff at Santa Clara University to learn, discuss, and delve into the roots of the mission of contemporary Jesuit higher education.
Participants explore key documents that trace their roots back five centuries, with a pivotal moment in 1975 when the Society of Jesus committed itself to faith, justice, and reconciliation. The conversations aim to show how these documents have shaped and continue to inform Santa Clara’s mission today and Jesuit higher education worldwide.
1. Deepen understanding of the origins of the contemporary Jesuit mission (1975).
2. Engage with Santa Clara’s mission through the lens of a faith that does justice.
3. Explore Jesuit leaders in the last century, including Rev. Pedro Arrupe, S.J., Rev. Ignacio Ellacuría, S.J., and Jesuits in Latin America.
– The vast majority of participants have rated the program very well, expressing a high level of satisfaction with the selected readings.
– The majority of participants expressed that this program helped them connect more deeply with the unique characteristics of Santa Clara’s shared mission and identity as a Jesuit, Catholic university.
– Participants expressed that they enjoy the connections, readings, and environment.
– Suggestions: add another session; consider facilitating this program in other weeks to avoid finals; have a second part of the reading group; add more time for discussion, as one hour was not enough; invite more people, but keep groups small.
Additional feedback: “It was a small enough group that everyone had the opportunity to participate, the readings went in-depth and were challenging (in a good way), and the discussions really supported a sense of shared mission and solidarity at a time when forces outside of Santa Clara feel like they threaten so much of our Jesuit mission.”
After the first reading group, a second iteration was created, called: “The Global Jesuit Network | Paths to Embody Our Shared Mission.”
In this iteration, participants journey through the global network’s origins and new consciousness of being in the world—with and for the people—under the leadership of the late Jesuit Superior General, Rev. Pedro Arrupe, S.J. Participants also address and examine the emerging structures, apostolic frameworks, and collaborative efforts shaping the Jesuit network, including higher education. The sessions highlight how the Ignatian tradition urges participants to embrace a new global imagination in order to live the mission today.
Participants expressed great satisfaction with this second program.