Education

Jesuit Education: A Living Education Tradition at the frontiers... Learning, empowering, serving

Secretariat for Secondary and Pre-secondary Education

We are a secretariat, at the service of Fr. General to facilitate communication and coordination between the General Curia and the educational apostolate and promote the apostolic vigor of the Secondary and Pre-secondary Jesuit school apostolate in the world according to the mission of the Society of Jesus as defined by GC 36 - Companions in a mission of Reconciliation and Justice: with God, within Humanity and with Creation - and the UAPs as mission of the Church entrusted to us by Pope Francis and promulgated by Fr. General, Arturo Sosa, SJ.

International Commission on the Apostolate of Jesuit Education - ICAJE

ICAJE serves as an advisory commission to the Secretariat for Education. ICAJE played an important role in outlining the contemporary official documents of Jesuit Education: The Characteristics of Jesuit Education (1986), Ignatian Pedagogy: A Practical Approach (1993); and, Jesuit Schools: A Living Tradition in the 21st Century.

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The Jesuit Global Network of Schools

Today we count more than 2,300 schools in the Jesuit network in partnership between the Jesuit schools and a number of companion schools. Together we educate more than 2 million students, from all kinds of religious, cultural, social and language backgrounds in 5 continents and more than 70 countries.

Map of the Jesuit Global Network of Schools

mao_jgns_2022_en

You can find the locations and characteristics of our schools in the interactive version of the map in Educate Magis

Global Statistics Report

Every year, the Secretariat for Education publishes a report with the number of schools in the Jesuit Global Network. This report is prepared using the statistics provided by the ICAJE members. The report compiles general statistics of the network, such as the number of schools and students and the number of Jesuits and lay people working in education.

Summary Statistics 2023 | June 16, 2023 - Rome
Summary Statistics 2022 | May 24, 2022 - Rome
Summary Statistics 2021 | May 3, 2021 - Rome
Summary Statistics 2020 | August 10, 2020 - Rome
Summary Statistics 2019 | June 11, 2019 - Rome

Educate Magis

Educate Magis is the global online community of Jesuit and Ignatian educators, collaborating in the process of renewing, innovating and re-imagining the Living Tradition of Jesuit Education.

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Official Jesuit Education Documents and Resources

Jesuit Schools at the Service of our Universal Mission: An Integrated Perspective
 

This resource presents an integrated perspective on the most important recent documents that shape Jesuit Education Today.

Each document has its own purpose, but together they present a comprehensive response to the mission of the Society of Jesus as it has been defined by GC-36: A Mision of Reconciliation and Justice with God, within humanity and with creation.

An Integrated Perspective - English

For additional information, resources, webinars and the interactive version of the infographic visit the "Jesuit Schools at the Service of Our Universal Mission: An Integrated Perspective" section in Educate Magis.

Jesuit Schools: A Living Tradition in the 21st Century - An Ongoing Exercise of Discernment
 

This document follows the tradition of assisting our education apostolate in reflecting and discerning the particular challenges and opportunities of our time and provides 10 global identifiers of Jesuit Education nowadays.

The purpose of this document is to invite all stakeholders of Jesuit schools to begin, continue or renew a process of discernment as the way to proceed in response to our historical context, our roots and our identity. We are aware, as never before, of the everchanging nature of history, the acceleration of change and the many challenges we face. However, we are also called to rediscover that our Ignatian heritage provides us with the appropriate instruments to find God in this context and to continue offering quality education in the humanist Jesuit tradition of preparing students to become agents of change at the service of the common good.

We ask that the directors of our educational ministries set aside the time and organize a process for our faculties and staffs to participate in a discernment on each of the 28 sections that call for reflection and actions for the greater good. This discernment must be seen as a continuation, in general, of our living educational tradition and in particular as a continuation of the discernment called for by the JESEDU-Rio 2017 Action Statement and the Universal Apostolic Preferences.

This is a huge commitment of time for our institutions and it is essential. To engage in thoughtful, prayerful conversations, to discern our way within and for our institutions; then to communicate and collaborate with our global network is essential. Listen to one another across the regions; strengthen our ties; work to achieve the greater good. Set in motion what we can do as our Gospel response to the new signs of the times.

Download the document: ENG, ESP, FRA, ITA, POR, POL, ALB, CHM, CAT, ARA.

A Living Tradition is also available as an interactive webpage located at Educate Magis. This on-line community connects educators from Jesuit and Ignatian schools worldwide. At the end of each section of the webpage, educators can enrich A Living Tradition through interactive conversations, videos, photographs and links, reflecting the rich diversity of the six Jesuit conferences: Africa and Madagascar, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, North America and South Asia.

Structure of the Document

Part 1: Foundational Documents

To reflect on the foundational documents that have been promulgated in the past thirty years:
A. The Characteristics of Jesuit Education 1986
B. Ignatian Pedagogy: A Practical Approach 1993
C. The Universal Apostolic Preferences of the Society of Jesus, 2019
D. Other Important Documents

Part 2: The New Reality of the World

To reflect on some of the major changes that have taken place over this time period:
Introduction
1. The Socio-Political Reality
2. Education
3. Changes in Religious Practice
4. Changes in the Catholic Church
5. Changes in the Society of Jesus

Part 3: Global Identifiers of Jesuit Schools

To strengthen our schools’ participation in the new global reality. This document presents 10 key identifiers that should be present in all Jesuit schools.
To act as a universal body with a universal mission
1. Jesuit Schools are committed to being Catholic and to offer in-depth faith formation in dialogue with other religions and worldviews
2. Jesuit Schools are committed to creating a Safe and Healthy Environment for all
3. Jesuit Schools are committed to Global Citizenship
4. Jesuit Schools are committed to the Care of all Creation
5. Jesuit Schools are committed to Justice
6. Jesuit Schools are committed to being Accessible for All
7. Jesuit Schools are committed to Interculturality
8. Jesuit Schools are committed to being a Global Network at the service of the Mission
9. Jesuit Schools are committed to Human Excellence
10. Jesuit schools are committed to Life-Long Learning

Discourses of Frs. General on Education (1973-today)
 

Main presentations on education from the last General Superiors of the Society of Jesus: Fr. General Pedro Arrupe, Fr. General Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, Fr. General Adolfo Nicolás and Fr. General Arturo Sosa.

To see the documents available in Spanish, French and Italian, select the desired language in the box located at the top right of this website.

Presentations on Education by Father General Arturo Sosa (2016-today)

July 14, 2022
Barcelona, Spain
Allocution of Fr. General in the Tenth Congress of the World Union of Jesuit Alumni/ae (WUJA).
Jesuit alumni invited to be partners in the mission of reconciliation and justice in today’s world - English
November 26, 2021
Rome, Italy
Homily of Fr. General in the Feast of St. John Berchmans on the 400th Anniversary of his Death. Inauguration of the Jesuit Global Network of Schools - English
September 29, 2018
El Escorial, Spain
Allocution of Fr. General to the 47th Congress of Fe y Alegria - English
We Educate at the Borders, Fe y Alegría, Global Movement
July 10, 2018
Loyola, Spain
Allocution of Fr. General to the World Meeting of Universities entrusted to the Society of Jesus - English
The University as a Source of Reconciled Life
20 October 2017
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Allocution of Fr. General to the JESEDU Congress - English
Jesuit Education: Forming Human Beings in Harmony with teir Fellows, with Creation and with God
18 February 2017
Delhi, India
Address of Fr. General to the Vidyajyoti Theology Faculty - English

Presentations on Education by Father General Adolfo Nicolás (2008-2016)

16 January 2014
Seoul, Korea
Allocution of Fr. General to Sogang University Community. The Jesuit University as a Community of Wisdom and Service - English
11 October 2013
Chicago, USA
Allocution of Fr. General to the Presidents and Board of Trustee Chairs of AJCU. Exercising Spiritual and Heroic Leadership - English
15 August 2013
Medellín, Colombia
Allocution of Fr. General to the World Congress of World Union of Jesuit Alumni. Jesuit Alumni and their Social Responsibility: The Quest for a Better Future for Humanity - English
6 May 2013
Valladolid, Spain
Allocution of Fr. General to the Superiors and Directors of Works of the Province of Castilleon. Ignatian Leadership - English
23 April 2010
Mexico City, Mexico
Allocution of Fr. General in the International Jesuit Higher Education Conference. Challenges to Jesuit Higher Education Today - English
26 July 2009
Bujumbura, Burundi
Allocution of Fr. General to the World Congress of World Union of Jesuit Alumni. Service for Africa - English
20 July 2009
Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines
Allocution of Fr General on the Occasion of the 150th Anniversary of Jesuit Education in the Philippines. Challenges & Issues in Jesuit Education - English

Presentations on Education by Father General Peter-Hans Kolvenbach (1983-2008)

October 7, 2004
Omaha, USA
Allocution of Fr. General on the Occasion of Celebrating 125 years of Jesuit/Lay Partnership. Cooperating with Each Other in Mission - English
22 January, 2003
Kolkata, India
Allocution of Fr. General to the World Alumni Congress. Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high - English
May 27, 2001
Rome (Monte Cucco), Italy
Allocution of Fr. General in the International Meeting of Jesuit Higher Education. The Jesuit University In The Light Of The Ignatian Charism - English
October 6, 2000
Santa Clara, USA
Allocution of Fr. General in Santa Clara University. The service of faith and the promotion of justice In American Jesuit higher education - English
May 10, 1997
Washington, DC, USA
Allocution of Fr. General to the Georgetown University Board of Directors - English

Presentations on Education by Father General Pedro Arrupe (1965-1983)

July 31, 1973
Valencia, Spain
Allocution of Fr. General in the Tenth European Congress of Jesuit Alumni. Men and Women for Others - English
September 10, 1980
Rome, Italy
Allocution of Fr. General in the Symposium on the Apostolate of the Society in Secondary Education. Our Secondary Schools: Today and Tomorrow - English
Society of Jesus Education Documents (1967-today)
 

Constitutions
Part IV, Chapters 7, 10-17 - English

Complementary Norms
Part VII, 277-297 - English

General Congregation 31 Decree 28 (1967)
The Apostolate of Education - English

General Congregation 31 Decree 29 (1967)
Scholarly Work and Research - English

General Congregation 34 Decree 17 (1995)
Jesuits and University Life - English

General Congregation 34 Decree 18 (1995)
Secondary, Primary and Non-formal Education - English

Characteristics of Jesuit Education (1986)
Letter from Father General Kolvenbach SJ - English
Document on the Characteristics of Jesuit Education - English

Ignatian Pedagogy: a Practical Approach - The IPP (1993)
Letter from Father General Kolvenbach SJ - English
Document on Ignatian Pedagogy - English

Human Excellence - The Four Cs (2015)
HUMAN EXCELLENCE - English

Some Considerations on the Construction of New Facilities for Jesuit Schools (2017)
Construction Manual - English

Ignatian Pedagogy: Classic and Contemporary Texts on Jesuit Education from St. Ignatius to Today (2018)
Ignatian Pedagogy - English

Roles and Responsibilities of the Education Delegate (2021)
Roles and Responsibilities of the Education Delegate - English

Global Gatherings (2012-today)
 

Our own schools have greatly benefited from globalization and the opportunity to come, reflect and work together. The recent first cycle of global gatherings - Discovering our Apostolic Potential - is a testimony to it.

These global gatherings (Colloquium - Seminar - Congress) have renewed the enthusiasm and have brought a new awareness of what we can accomplish when we work together. The second cycle - Walking as a Global Network at the Service of the Mission - will begin in 2021 with the II Colloquium JESEDU-Global2021.

Second Cycle – Walking as a Global Network at the Service of the Mission (2020-today)

II Colloquium JESEDU-Global2021
Vision Statement - English
Click here for more information

First Cycle - Discovering our Apostolic Potential

International Congress for Jesuit Education Delegates JESEDU-Rio (Rio de Janeiro 2017)
Action Statement - English
Highlights of JESEDU-Rio2017: Fr. General Arturo Sosa in Rio (Rio de Janeiro, 2017) - English
Click here for more information

International Seminar on Ignatian Pedagogy and Spirituality SIPEI (Manresa 2014)
Vision Statement - English
Click here for more information

International Colloquium on Jesuit Secondary Education ICJSE (Boston 2012)
Vision Statement - English
Click here for more information

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