The Characteristics of Jesuit Education was published in 1987 as the charter for Jesuit schools. Composed by an international commission, which met over four years and consulted worldwide, it is based on the life and writings of the Jesuit founder St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556), on the history of Jesuit education since the first school was founded at Messina, in Sicily, in 1548, and on best contemporary practice. What follows, including the headings, is the summary of The Characteristics of Jesuit Education by Bruce Bradley S.J. from the website www.colaisteiognaid.gaillimh.edu.ie.
2. Rev. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S.J, Superior General
of the Society of Jesus
•"We aim to form leaders in service, men and
women of competence, conscience and
compassionate commitment."
3. Jesuit Education
•Since the time they launched their first
school in 1548, the Jesuits have believed
that a
•high quality education is the best path to
meaningful lives of leadership and service.
4. Forming Leaders – Sui Generis
• They have understood that the liberal arts, the natural and social
sciences, and the performing arts, joined with all the other
branches of knowledge, were a powerful means to
develop leaders with the potential for
influencing and transforming society.
6. Jesuit education is a call to human
excellence
• to the fullest possible development of all human
qualities. It is a call to critical thinking and disciplined studies,
a call to develop the whole person, head and heart, intellect and
feelings.
Jesuit education strives to give learners ongoing development of their
imagination, feelings, conscience and intellect, and to encourage and help
them recognize new experiences as opportunities to further growth.
Learners see service to others as more self-fulfilling than
personal success or prosperity.
7. Is world affirming.
•It assists in the total formation of each
individual within the human community. It
includes religious dimension that permeates
the entire education. It promotes dialogue
between faith and culture.
8. CURA PERSONALIS (Personal Care)
•Insists on individual care and
concern for each person,
emphasizes activity on the part of
the students and encourages life-
long openness to growth.
9. Is value oriented.
•It encourages a realistic knowledge,
love and acceptance of self and
provides a realistic knowledge of
the world in which we live.
10. Is preparation for active life commitment
• It serves the faith that does justice,
seeks to form men and women for
others and manifests a particular
concern for the poor.
12. Stresses lay- Jesuit collaboration.
•It relies on a spirit of community among
teaching staff and administrators; the Jesuit
community; governing boards; former
students and benefactors.
14. Non Multa Sed Multum
•Not many but much
"Give me a child for for his
first seven years and I'll give
you the man"
Jesuit Maxim
15. Rev. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S.J, Superior General
of the Society of Jesus
•"We aim to form leaders in service, men and
women of competence, conscience and
compassionate commitment."
Forming
Young men and women for others
16. Credo – Statement of belief
•Write you own credo as an Ignatian
Educator
•Synthesis of the Characteristics of
Jesuit Education