The Jesuit, Catholic Mission of U.S. Jesuit Colleges and Universities - Preface - Defining Character and Apostolic Rationale

Sep 29, 2026

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A consensus reflection outlines the Jesuit, Catholic identity and apostolic mission shared by twenty-eight U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities. It explains the defining character of “Catholic, Jesuit universities,” linking university education and formation to the Society of Jesus’ broader national apostolic strategy. It details the apostolic rationale, the role of academic freedom and qualified professors in pursuing truth and values, and situates these institutions as a significant ministry for both the Catholic Church and the Society of Jesus.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages32

Reading Time1 h 21 min

AccessFree to download

Preface

Defining Character: Catholic, Jesuit Universities

Further Dimensions of Our Apostolic Rationale

Collaboration and Governance

Jesuits and Jesuit Communities

Presidents, Rectors, and Provincials

Relationship with Bishops

The Jesuit, Catholic Mission of U.S. Jesuit Colleges and Universities The Jesuit, Catholic Mission of U.S. Jesuit Colleges and Universities Table of Contents PREFACE............................................................................................... 1 Defining Character: Catholic, Jesuit Universities ......................................................................................3 Further Dimensions of Our Apostolic Rationale...........................................................................................6 Collaboration and Governance.......................................9 Jesuits and Jesuit Communities ....................................... 13 Presidents, Rectors, and Provincials ......................... 17 Relationship with Bishops ................................................. 20 The following statement offers a consensus reflection of the twenty-eight presidents of U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities on the Jesuit, Catholic identity shared by these institutions. It was developed through several drafts in preparation for a dialogue between presidents and the U.S. provincials of the Society of Jesus in October 2010. The consensus statement has been written in such a way that it can stand on its own and can be used, independently of the dialogue with the provincials, in other conversations, e.g. with our boards or university colleagues, Jesuit communities, etc. The statement describes how the presidents understand theapostolate of Jesuit higher education within the framework of the overall national Jesuit apostolic strategy, and addresses key relationships and important issues as seen by the presidents. We see this statement as part of an ongoing dialogue and welcome feedback from our colleagues andfriends. This statement was approved by the presidents of U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities in January 2010. Presidents ofthe Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities Preface The apostolate of higher education has a prominent role in the mission of the Society of Jesus in the United States and internationally. From the beginning of its history, the Society of Jesus has seen the importance of this ministry for bringing about the greater apostolic good and has invested significantly in it as a primary way of striving to fulfill the Society’s mission. More than in any other country Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States, now twenty-eight in number and positioned across the country, have been in the forefront of the Society’s apostolic mission, and have contributed significantly to that common mission. As the Society of Jesus in the United States discerns its apostolic future and determines a more coordinated and focused national apostolic strategy, the Jesuit colleges and universities will play a vital, new, and often leading role in that strategic mission. The future is apostolically promising for the Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States as they respond to new opportunities, face common issues and challenges, work together with one another more closely, link with the international Jesuit higher education network, and engage as apostolic partners with all Jesuit works within a common mission. In order to open up this way to the future, it is important to have a clear understanding of the nature of this apostolate, underscore its proper way of operating, and clarify its key relationships with the Society of Jesus and with others. This consensus statement of the presidents explains first of all the defining character and apostolic rationale of the Jesuit colleges and universities, articulates their manner of collaboration and governance, and addresses a set of key relationships vital to engaging positively in the common Jesuit apostolic mission. A s s o c i ati o n of J e su it C oll eg e s a n d U n iver s iti e s 1 Defining Character: Catholic, Jesuit Universities B eing “Catholic, Jesuit universities” is not simply

FAQs

What is the defining character of U.S. Jesuit universities according to the statement?

They are “Catholic, Jesuit universities,” presented not as one trait among many but as their defining character. This defining character is the source of their apostolic rationale.

How do the universities describe their primary mission?

Their primary mission is the education and formation of students for the sake of the kind of persons they become. The statement connects this mission to students’ influence for good in society and in their lives, professions, and service.

What role does academic freedom play in the Jesuit university apostolate?

University education is carried out by highly qualified professors and colleagues acting with academic freedom. This freedom supports the full pursuit of truth and the students’ free attainment of knowledge and values.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Adam