Global campaign for the search for vocation in schools

In the framework of the Ignatian Year, the General Curia and its Secretariat for Education, together with CLC, are launching a special project for schools and young people. Who do you want to be? explores the dreams and challenges of young people and how they can move towards fullness of life.

The Jesuit Global Networkof Schools reaches about two million students. Our students are found in places as far apart as Manhattan and Malawi, South Sudan and Spain, Delhi and Dublin. Jesuit schools are where a student begins to ask the question “What is the most important reality in my life upon which the value of everything else is determined, derived and depends?”

The schools challenge students to devote their talents and time to the pursuit of justice. It is where the student begins to understand that his or her understanding of self includes the other. It is where the student begins to experience the authenticity of his or her own humanity in the context of service. Our schools seek to place in the heart of the student the abiding question, “How and where, in this time and place, can I provide the greatest service?”

In this line and to commemorate the 400^th anniversary of the canonizations of Ignatius Loyola and Francis Xavier and embrace their example of authentic faith and selfless service, the General Curia in partnership with Christian Life Communities (CLC), the Global Secretariat of Education and Educate Magis designed the worldwide campaign called “Who Do You Want to Be?” In this four-part video series, we are asking students to look deeper into their lives and to ask “What is my dream? Who lights my path? Who do I want to be?”

To ensure that this project does not become an additional burden for educators and staff, it is provided a curriculum developed by teachers with prelection material and post reflection material that can be adapted by schools to meet their circumstances. Each material is adaptable to local cultures, and includes prayer, prelection, classroom activity, reflection points, discussion topics and suggested projects. You can watch the videos and access the materials online at this link.

The videos incorporate moments from the life of Ignatius; characteristics of Ignatian spirituality and Ignatian mission; the influence that each of these components had on different individuals; and how the dynamics of each are present in our engagement in the Universal Apostolic Preferences.

“Jesuits work in schools and in education because we believe in young people; through them a new future will be created” said Fr. John Dardis, the Director of Communications at the Jesuit General Curia. “Our third Apostolic Preference asks us to walk with them and accompany them in the creation of a hope-filled future.”

Article originally published in Jesuits Goblal