Fordham Prep’s Jesuit Identity
Over 185 years of Jesuit Tradition
Opening in 1841 as St. John’s College, Fordham Prep was one of the very first Jesuit schools founded in the United States. Today, we are part of a network of 62 Jesuit high schools across the country. Our mission is to form young men of faith, scholarship, and service.
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Our Jesuit Identity in Action
The Core Pillars of a Jesuit Education
The Society of Jesus is guided by the belief that God can be found all around us, in the people and situations we encounter, and in circumstances from the everyday to the extraordinary. Working for the greater glory of God is the mission of Jesuits everywhere, including Fordham Prep.
Whether in the classroom, on retreat, on the playing field, at a club meeting, at a service site, or even simply passing someone in the hallway, this fundamental and ever-hopeful belief in God’s desire to meet us in our daily lives and in the lives of others is the cornerstone of all our interactions.
Jesuit CharacteristicsÂ
As a Catholic, Jesuit High School, Fordham Prep is guided by the characteristics we would like each graduate to acquire during his high school years.
We strive to graduate young men who are religious, loving, open to growth, committed to doing justice, and academically accomplished. Known in the Jesuit Community as the Grad at Grad, these characteristics will not only serve our graduates in college, but are essential for a man of faith in today’s world.
Jesuit Ideals
Fundamental to all the programs at Fordham Prep are two ideals integral to the Jesuit way of approaching any endeavor: cura personalis and magis.
- Cura personalis, the care of the individual, keeps teachers and administrators focused on helping each student explore his unique potential.
- Magis, the more, challenges each member of the Fordham Prep community — faculty, administrator, and student — to discern what can be done to the best of his or her ability, and to always reflect on ways to improve.
- AMDG, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, for the greater glory of God, is the motto of the Society of Jesus. Often attributed to St. Ignatian Loyola himself, it serves as our constant reminder that the work of our community is ultimately directed toward the greater glory of God.
A brief history of St. Ignatius
of Loyola and the Society of Jesus
St. Ignatius was born in 1491 at the family castle of Loyola in the Basque region of Spain. In his own words, Ignatius "was given to the follies of the world," and what he enjoyed most was "warlike sport," having "a great and foolish desire to win fame." At Pamplona in 1521, Ignatius’ search for fame ended when a French cannonball severely wounded his legs. A long, complicated convalescence contributed to a period of soul searching and reflection. Ignatius discovered God at work in his life, and his desire for fame turned into a desire to dedicate himself to God.
After time spent as a pilgrim and a process of conversion to loving service of God, Ignatius returned to school. He eventually studied in Paris for seven years, spending his free time preaching and sharing his insights about the ways of God. Attracted by his experience of God’s love, several men joined Ignatius. This small group of companions would eventually grow into the Society of Jesus, an order of Catholic priests and brothers dedicated to service for the good of souls.
While the original purposes of the Society did not include education, it was not long before Ignatius was requested to include local boys in his schools for men entering the Society. The first Jesuit school opened in 1548 in Messina, Sicily. By the time of Ignatius’ death, there were over 40 Jesuit schools, and within a few decades, there were 245 schools. Today there are more than 2,000 Jesuit educational institutions in 56 countries around the world.
Ignatian Resources
Frequently Asked Questions about our Jesuit Identity
