Jesuit Vocab

• Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (AMDG)

  For the Greater Glory of God. Motto of the Society of Jesus. Focus is on bringing glory to God, not ourselves.
• Graduate at Graduation


  Five characteristics that Jesuit schools hope to form in all graduates: (1) intellectually competent (2) religious/spiritually alive (3) open to growth (4) committed to justice (5) loving
• Jesuit & IHS


  Member of the Society of Jesus. IHS - first letters of Jesus's name in Latin. Originally an insult.
• Contemplatives in Action


  Self-reflection and discernment that looks within and makes sense of one's experiences. Then take action for the greater good, informed by this reflection and the movements of the soul. Both prayerful seclusion and active in the real world.
• Magis


  The More. Not necessarily doing more, rather a depth of living; continuous quality improvement; how can I serve the world better? "The restless pursuit of excellence motivated by gratitude"
• Cura Personalis


  Care for the (Individual) Person. Care for the WHOLE person. Attitude of respect for the dignity of each person as unique, as well as yourself.
• Virtus in Arduis


  Virtue in hard work. Translated also as Courage in difficulties. Seattle Prep's motto.
• God in All Things


  An invitation to search for God in every circumstance of life, not just in religious situations or activities; a habit/worldview.
• Examen


  Five-step prayer of daily reflection that helps us to find the movement of the Spirit/God in our daily lives.
• Consolation


  The closeness of God that spirituality helps us achieve – feel whole, free, alive; acts that quietly, gently and leads one to peace, joy, and deeds of loving service.
• Desolation


  The separation from God that all people feel sometimes; acts that agitate, disturbs peace and injects fear and discouragement to keep us from doing good.
• Discernment


  The choice between two paths – two "goods"; prayer and spiritual practices help us to decide; paying attention to one's emotions and the movement of the soul.
• Vocation


  One's calling; all people can ask the life question, "What is God calling me to?"
• Spiritual Exercises


  A series of prayers and meditations developed by St. Ignatius to help people get closer to God.
• Men and Women for (and with) Others

  Term coined by Fr. Arrupe, SJ. Goal of Jesuit education is not just to prepare students for a productive, successful life, but foremost to use one's gifts, talents and resources to make the world better and more just for all people.
• The spiritual exercises
• A set of prayers and meditation designed by Saint Ignatius Loyola to help individuals discern their vocation or call from God.
• People (Men/Women) for (and with) Others - Fr. Pedro Arrupe, SJ
• "Go forth and set the world on fire."
• Theology: The study of God and the relationship between God and humanity.
• Jesuit: those who follow a religious order found by Ignatius - society of Jesus - known for service - priests and brothers
• Society of Jesus: Catholic religious order aka Jesuits were founded in 1540 by Ignatius of Loyola
• religious order: a group of people who live together in a community and follow a set of rules
• hermeneutics


  process of Biblical interpretation; the lens/perspective through which one interprets a passage of Scripture
• exegesis


  "to draw out," or analyze a particular text
• events


  people experienced God working in the world
• oral tradition


  people shared the stories verbally
• written tradition


  people wrote down the stories
• edited tradition


  people collected and edited the stories
• canon


  official collection of books recognized as the Bible
• Salvation History


  The story of God's loving relationship with us and continuously calling us back into that relationship when we turn away
• Deutero-canonical


  7 books found in the Catholic Bible but not Protestant Bible
• Inspire


  "to breathe into"
• Biblical canonization


  process where writings became official parts of the Bible
• literalist


  reads a story to be factually true; focus on text itself; word-for-word
• contextualist


  reads a story for the true meaning, even if every detail is not factually true; not true story, but truth story
• divine inspiration


  when the Holy Spirit inspires a human author to record sacred truth (like in the Bible)
• biblia


  the word Bible derives from this which means "books" in Greek
• testament


  means covenant, a sacred promise, vow, or agreemen
• covenant


  meaning of "testament;" a sacred promise, vow, or agreement