Students and Faculty Renew the University’s Jesuit Tradition

The Rose Hill campus celebrated Fordham’s Jesuit heritage, from Nov. 16 through 22, with a series of events intended to help students get better acquainted with the life, vision and mission of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus.

“When you put it all together, what is Jesuit education all about?” asked Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham University, during the opening liturgy of Ignatian Heritage Week. “It is about nothing less than empowerment and transformation.”

Several lectures presented during the week centered on Ignatian philosophies and their influence on contemporary movements, such as Jesuit lay ministries and the transforming value of service. Kevin Burke, S.J., a theologian from Weston Jesuit School of Theology, delivered the keynote address titled “Philosophy of Jesuit Education.”

The week’s events also featured an open-mic night, a Jesuit vs. student kickball game and other activities that helped students get to know members of the University's Jesuit community. The week culminated with a talk titled “Creating a Culture of Peace,” presented by Daniel Berrigan, S.J., a University poet-in-residence. His talk was followed by an interfaith candlelight vigil, where prayers for peace were offered in 12 different languages, each one representing an area of the world plagued by violence.

“Attendance nearly doubled this year at all of the events, and the students got a real sense of the Society of Jesus as they learned about Jesuit ministries and the depth of the Jesuits’ commitment to these works,” said Joseph Carver, S.J., assistant to the University chaplain, who coordinated the week’s events. “We hope that the programs will animate conversation throughout the academic year about what it means to be a Catholic and Jesuit University today.”

Initiated in 2000, Ignatian Heritage Week is a collaborative effort involving the Fordham University Ignatian Society, the University Chaplain’s Office, the Fordham Jesuit Community, United Student Government, Residence Life, Campus Ministry and the Jesuit Scholastics of Ciszek Hall. In addition to this month's celebration, the Lincoln Center campus will sponsor a week's worth of Ignatian-themed events during the spring semester, Jan. 25 through 31.

— Elizabeth Sanders