Ignatian Teach-In 2016: an opportunity for youth collaboration on the Jesuit mission

Over 1,800 individuals are expected to gather at the 19th Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice from November 12-14 in Washington, D.C. A significant portion of attendees are young people, ages 16-22, representing Jesuit and other Catholic institutions from across the U.S., as well as Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and El Salvador.
The Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice is an annual gathering for members of the Ignatian family (Jesuit institutions and larger church) to come together in the context of social justice and solidarity to learn, reflect, pray, network, and advocate together. They gather each year in the spirit of the Jesuit martyrs of El Salvador, using their lives and ministry as inspiration for discovering the injustices of today and how we might engage in them.
The Teach-In is a place where people are empowered, re-energized, inspired, challenged, and supported by a community that sees faith and justice integrally linked. The Teach-In is a space for prophetic voices for solidarity with the economically poor, the marginalized, and the Earth who have an openness to an Ignatian approach to faith and justice. This year’s program will feature keynotes from Greg Boyle, S.J., Founder and Executive Director of Homeboy Industries, Norma Pimentel, M.J., Executive Director of Catholic Charities Rio Grande Valley, and Lisa Sharon Harper, Author and Chief Church Engagement Officer at Sojourners and more than 50 breakout sessions on different topics from a collaborative Ignatian approach.
“The Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice represents the future of our Church,” said Christopher Kerr, executive director of the Ignatian Solidarity Network. “Attendees, particularly young people, will be inspired to respond to Pope Francis’s call as people of mercy, striving to build a more justice and sustainable world.”
Now in its 19th year, the IFTJ has a rich history rooted in honoring the Jesuits and their companions who were martyred in El Salvador in 1989. Over 1,800 people are expected to gather at this year’s IFTJ, representing Jesuit and other Catholic high schools, parishes, ministries, and people committed to a faith that does justice.

• Who is organising?
  The Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN) is a national social justice network inspired by the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola. ISN was founded in 2004 and is a lay-led 501(c)3 organization working in partnership with Jesuit universities, high schools, and parishes, along with many other Catholic institutions and social justice partners.
• When and where?
  The Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice will take place in Crystal City Gateway Marriott, Washington D.C. on November 12-14, 2016 and although tickets are sold out, there will be a livestream channel to follow the event.

We encourage you to follow #IFTJ16 on Twitter and the official Facebook account Ignatian Solidarity Network.