World Teacher’s Day is celebrated annually on 5 October, in honor of teachers all over the globe, who are shaping the future by nurturing students and driving educational progress. Jesuits also have a long tradition of education, and many members of the Society of Jesus serve as teachers. Today, in partnership with other educators, Jesuits continue to provide holistic education focused on academics, spiritual development, and social service.

By José Alberto Mesa, SJ |Secretary for Education

Ignatius and the first companions wanted to share with their generation the spiritual experience that had transformed them and led them into the service of God and neighbor. These were men in love with Jesus and his Gospel. They dreamed of becoming pilgrims to the Holy Land and of preaching the Gospel there. However, they had to adjust their expectations to reality. It was not possible to go to the Holy Land as they desired. Thus, they presented themselves to the Pope and offered their service to the Church aspiring to become itinerant preachers, confessors, and offering the Spiritual Exercises.

However, God had other plans. Soon, prominent benefactors, including Francis Borgia, Duke of Gandia and later a Jesuit, along with various civil and ecclesiastical authorities, began to urge the Jesuits to establish schools and to educate non-Jesuits. In response, Ignatius authorized the opening of the first schools and sent some of the early Jesuits to lead this effort. For many Jesuits, the initial ideal of being a pilgrim transformed into the reality of being a schoolmaster, dedicating their time to preparing classes, teaching different subject matters, and managing schools. Jesuits had to learn pedagogy and how to manage complex institutions like schools and universities.

Ignatius soon recognized the apostolic potential of schools to share the transformative spiritual experience he had undergone and to contribute to the common good, as advocated by the humanists of the time. Pedro de Ribadeneyra, an early Jesuit, captures this shift, asserting that “all the goodness in Christianity and of the whole world depends on the proper education of the youths” (Letter to King Philip II of Spain, 1556). Consequently, many Jesuits dedicated their entire apostolic lives to education. In 1560, Polanco, then secretary of the Society of Jesus, wrote on behalf of Fr Laínez, General of the Society: “two ways of helping our neighbors: one in the colleges through the education of youth in letters, learning and Christian life, and the second through sermons, confessions, and other means” (O’Malley, The First Jesuits, p. 200). Many Jesuits became respected teachers, inspiring new dreams and opportunities for their students and entire communities, from Paris to Mexico City, Goa to Rome, and among various social classes, including the aristocracy, the nascent bourgeoisie, indigenous peoples of the Americas, and Indian castes.

Many Jesuits through their teaching and knowledge, made an important impact in the cultures they served. Matteo Ricci taught math and astronomy in China and opened the doors for the Gospel in this culture through his pedagogy of friendship. Many missionaries in Latin America dedicated their lives to teaching in schools in the Reductions where the indigenous population learned Latin, Spanish and learned to write their own native language.

Today, Jesuits continue to provide education through hundreds of schools and universities worldwide, partnering with thousands of educators who embrace Ignatius’ vision. They offer new generations a robust educational experience grounded in strong academics, social service formation, and religious/spiritual development. Our educators work diligently to provide a holistic approach that develops the capacities of individuals and communities for the benefit of others and the society at large. Education has become a specialized endeavor that requires professional training, certifications, and a command of new pedagogies and learning styles that honor our educational tradition. Today, we witness how our lay and other religious partners enrich our schools and have made it possible for our students to become persons for and with others, inspired by Christ as a model of a fulfilling life dedicated to faith and justice, as Fr Pedro Arrupe encouraged our alumni 50 years ago.