Mission and Identity Activity at Jesuit Colleges and Universities in the United States

Preface

The twenty-eight Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States have made remarkable progress academically, professionally, and financially over the past thirty years, but it is not uncommon for some to question just how "Jesuit" and "Catholic" they are and will continue to be.  The following survey provides substantial evidence that indeed these schools are serious about their Jesuit, Catholic identity and mission, and are taking many and various steps to promote and foster that identity and mission now and into the future. 

The information gathered here has come from the campus offices responsible for programs that have been designed specifically to foster Jesuit, Catholic mission and identity.  But that mission and identity is integral to many other dimensions of college and university life: the kind of teaching, learning and research that is pursued, not only in theology but throughout the curriculum; the kind of caring relationships that are experienced in and out of the classroom; and the kind of values that permeate the institution. 

Targeted programs involve boards of trustees, faculty, administrators, staff, students, and alumni in richly varied ways. Schools are more and more concerned about hiring for mission in sensitive but effective ways, and about orientation and development programs that include ongoing discussions, seminars and colloquia. 

The entire college or university community is encouraged, in a very inclusive manner, to share in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, the most authentic way of experiencing the Ignatian vision.  Curricular, service and immersion programs express an institutional commitment to link faith with a concern for justice, to educate "men and women for others," and more recently, to respond to Fr. Kolvenbach's challenge to develop a "well-educated solidarity" for a world of globalization.

Pope John Paul II set an ambitious agenda for Catholic colleges and universities in his Apostolic Letter, Ex corde Ecclesiae. This survey provides evidence that Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States are making Ex corde come alive in active faith and learning communities engaged in rich dialogue across faiths and cultures, and serving both Church and society.  Multiple forms of service to the local church continue to characterize relationships with the local diocese: collaborating with schools and school boards, training lay ministers, assisting in parishes, faculty and staff serving as resources for diocesan projects, etc.

This second survey of mission and identity activity, while telling only part of a developing story, reflects an increased earnestness and sophistication when compared to the first survey of five years ago.  New and better ways are being found to make mission and identity concerns integral and energizing to the task of building a college or university in a pluralistic society.

 Deanna I. Howes and Charles L. Currie, S.J.