John Carroll University has celebrated Ignatian Heritage Week since 2008, a week dedicated to honoring St. Ignatius and the impact he has had on Jesuit tradition. Starting Jan. 26, students can attend various events celebrating the life and legacy of St. Ignatius.

Ed Peck, vice president for University Mission and Identity, attributes Fr. Tom Pipp, SJ, director of Ignatian Formation and rector of the Jesuit University, in explaining the impact of St. Ignatius.

 “St. Ignatius of Loyola was a Basque soldier who was injured in battle. After a dramatic conversation, he turned his life over to the Lord and eventually founded the Society of Jesus, or Jesuits. The Society of Jesus founded John Carroll University back in 1886 and continues to sponsor the University today,” Pipp said.  

Peck further mentions that the spirituality of St. Ignatius and his followers lives on at JCU in such themes as “finding God in all things,” “cura personalis” or “care for the individual” and the “faith that does justice.”

“Fr. Pipp explains that St. Ignatius placed a great deal of emphasis upon the use of the imagination, both in praying and in acting, such as imagining a different and better world, more in accord with the Kingdom of God,” Peck said. “During IHW, students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to think about and reflect upon the gift of the imagination in working for social justice.”

Many universities have a similar week dedicated to the mission of the Ignatian heritage. A few, like Loyola University Chicago, draw the celebration out over an entire month. John Carroll’s Ignatian Heritage Week, which runs until Jan. 31, gives students the opportunity to explore the importance and significance of St. Ignatius’ message of social justice. 

Students can attend the opening Sunday night mass at 9 p.m. and the reception that follows. The mass will begin with an acknowledgement by Student Government President Erin Ahern ’21 of the many ways our students live the mission. There is a special session for students at 6 p.m. on Monday evening in which they will be encouraged to imagine solutions to the pressing social needs of Cleveland and the world.  Students are also invited to come to the Celebration of Service Award Ceremony on Tuesday at 4 p.m. to support their peers as well as faculty and staff who are being honored for their service.  

“Living the mission of John Carroll has become most prevalent to me through my participation in Campus Ministry and through Ignatian Heritage Week,” Campus Ministry Student Worker, Retreat and Immersion leader Ally Fritsch said.

“John Carroll’s Jesuit identity has allowed me to become more acquainted with the life of St. Ignatius and Ignatian spirituality mostly through several retreats and spiritual direction,’ she said. “In delving deeper into my faith and learning more about social justice through the immersion program, I have found that living the mission of John Carroll for me is as its essence to work for a more just world by growing in more loving kinship with those closest to me and those on the margins.”

Murphy Mass at 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday will focus on Ignatian themes, such as working towards a more just world. There will also be an Ignatian Heritage Exhibit Scavenger Hunt and the weeklong “Space” exhibit that will take place in the O’ Dea Room. Finally, there is a “Praise and Worship” service for students on Thursday at 7 p.m., again focusing on imagining how God calls us to live the gospel message of social justice.