Ministry
Jesuits desire to walk as the first companions of St. Ignatius did, following the ways and teachings of Jesus and seeking God in all things. With honesty and integrity, Jesuits aim to serve, educate, and inspire while living the value of “Cura Personalis” – to care for the entire person and show every individual respect and dignity as a child of God.
Ministerial activities are part of the contextual formation at Loyola University, in which young Jesuits make connections between their studies and the social realities of the people they serve, and in so doing help to build the Kingdom of God.
Following Christ’s Lead.
While Jesuits in First Studies at Loyola are full-time students, they are also active in communities throughout Chicago, engaging in 8-10 hours each week of apostolic work in service to others.
The First Studies program offers a variety of ministerial opportunities bringing young Jesuits into the world of the poor and the marginalized, honoring the recommendations of the 34th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus for sustained contact coupled with careful reflection as part of academic and spiritual formation.
Ministering to those in marginal communities
Weekly ministries include work at several schools that educate students in Chicago.
Jesuits in formation at Loyola have served at various local sites, including:
- Arrupe College
- Centro Romero
- Chicago Jesuit Academy
- Christ the King Jesuit College Prep
- Cristo Rey Jesuit High School
- Kolbe House Jail Ministry
- Labre
- Loyola University Medical Center
- Marjorie Kovler Center
- Misericordia
- St. Francis Catholic Worker House
The First Studies program adheres to three criteria when missioning men to their ministerial assignment:
- The centrality of working with those on the margins.
- The experience must provide opportunities for developing the skills and competencies necessary to be an effective minister.
- The usefulness of such work in providing an experiential basis for the philosophical and theological analysis of the Integrative Seminar.
Each Jesuit in the First Studies Program, meanwhile, is expected to consider the following regarding ministry placement:
- The site should provide an ongoing opportunity for ministry covering at least one academic year. The preference, however, is that the Jesuit spend three years at his placement site.
- The site allows for a measurable contribution of 8-10 hours per week.
- The experience includes regular supervision with the Director of Ministry.
- Men have found it quite helpful to participate in ministry with at least one of their brothers going on the same day, traveling together to and from the site.
For the greater glory of God
Jesuits in First Studies serve as lectors and acolytes at liturgies in Madonna della Strada chapel as well as nearby parishes.
Men in First Studies can also participate in additional ministerial activities on the Loyola campus, including:
- Thursday Night Mass
- Java with the Jesuits
- Chaplaincy
- Christian Life Communities
- Jesuit Jam
- Eco-Anxiety Relief
- Retreats
Following Christ’s Lead.
While Jesuits in First Studies at Loyola are full-time students, they are also active in communities throughout Chicago, engaging in 8-10 hours each week of apostolic work in service to others.
The First Studies program offers a variety of ministerial opportunities bringing young Jesuits into the world of the poor and the marginalized, honoring the recommendations of the 34th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus for sustained contact coupled with careful reflection as part of academic and spiritual formation.
Jesuits in formation at Loyola have served at various local sites, including:
- Arrupe College
- Centro Romero
- Chicago Jesuit Academy
- Christ the King Jesuit College Prep
- Cristo Rey Jesuit High School
- Kolbe House Jail Ministry
- Labre
- Loyola University Medical Center
- Marjorie Kovler Center
- Misericordia
- St. Francis Catholic Worker House
The First Studies program adheres to three criteria when missioning men to their ministerial assignment:
- The centrality of working with those on the margins.
- The experience must provide opportunities for developing the skills and competencies necessary to be an effective minister.
- The usefulness of such work in providing an experiential basis for the philosophical and theological analysis of the Integrative Seminar.
Each Jesuit in the First Studies Program, meanwhile, is expected to consider the following regarding ministry placement:
- The site should provide an ongoing opportunity for ministry covering at least one academic year. The preference, however, is that the Jesuit spend three years at his placement site.
- The site allows for a measurable contribution of 8-10 hours per week.
- The experience includes regular supervision with the Director of Ministry.
- Men have found it quite helpful to participate in ministry with at least one of their brothers going on the same day, traveling together to and from the site.