Ignatian Spirituality is Alive and Well at Saint Ignatius

Saint Ignatius High School has always been more than an institution; it's been a guiding hand for young men on their intellectual and spiritual growth journey. Inspired by the enduring spiritual legacy of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the school community walks alongside students, providing guidance and support. As the world evolves, the path to becoming Men for Others may change, but the heart of that mission beats stronger than ever at the corner of 30th and Lorain. Ultimately, the goal is to cultivate well-rounded individuals embodying the Grad at Grad ideals of being Open to Growth, Intellectually Competent, Religious, Loving, and Committed to Work for Peace and Justice. 

From their first day as a Wildcat, students have an opportunity to develop their spirituality. On a campus full of alumni, Jesuits, and faith-filled faculty and staff, one doesn’t have to look very far to see examples of how to live a Christian life. 

One early example for students is the daily Examen. Every day at 2:02 p.m., students, faculty, staff, and anyone else on campus stop what they are doing for five minutes when the Examen comes over the PA. Jesuits are best known for being contemplatives in action, and this form of prayer involves reflecting on one's day and discerning God’s purpose and direction for each of us. It provides a special time for everyone on campus to stop and reset their day. 

“The Examen is like a mini sabbath. A time to reset, reflect, and refresh in the middle of a busy day,” shares Director of Campus Ministry Ed DeVenney. He continues, “But, more importantly, it is a time to be with God. It reminds me that, no matter how challenging my day has been or how busy I am, God is with me, walking beside me, providing me with strength, courage and faith.” 

Theology Curriculum
As a Catholic Jesuit school, Theology courses are essential to the curriculum and provide a valuable way for students to experience Ignatian Spirituality. Freshmen explore Scripture and Christology and are introduced to St. Ignatius of Loyola and the Jesuit tradition. 

Next comes Sophomore Service, which awakens deep feelings of empathy and compassion in second-year students through their weekly service assignments. As a companion class to Sophomore Service, there is a reflective seminar class taught by Theology teacher Mr. Michael McLaughlin ’85. Senior Evan Solar shares, “For me service … showed me the power I have to bring my energy to people and brighten their day with my presence. It showed me I can see the face of God in the people I serve.” 

As students evolve into upperclassmen, this maturity is reflected in juniors studying Morality and the Sacraments. Seniors learn about Catholic Christian identity in their Catholic Social Teaching/Christian Manhood class and the Paschal Mystery. For many, these Theology classes in their final year have the most significant impact.  

“Mr. Brennan's (’85) Sacraments class and Mr. Vilinsky's (’97) Christian Manhood classes have been the most influential classes I've experienced at Saint Ignatius,” shares senior Joseph Karroum. “Mr. Brennan's knowledge, his stories, and the connections he draws between the sacraments, our faith, and our lives helped me truly picture how important it is to be active in my faith. Mr. Vilinsky honestly made me a true Christian man. There was something about his class that made everything you learned stick with you: the idea of Carpe Deus "seizing God", spending time with those you love, and not giving into the societal images of men, but God's version, was powerful,” he continues.

Retreats
Retreats have always been a special way for students to grow spiritually at Saint Ignatius. The Freshman Retreat was introduced with the Class of 2027, and the first two have been a success. “The retreat was more than just a time for reflection; it was a turning point that shaped my confidence and sense of belonging at Saint Ignatius,” shares freshman Andrew Sweet. He continues, “Through meaningful conversations and shared experiences, I forged lasting friendships, deepening my connection to my classmates and the school community. The retreat challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, teaching me how faith isn’t just personal but something we build together.” Adds Dominic Ganor ’28, “A special retreat moment for me was when I had dinner at my retreat leader's house. The conversation we had and the stories we shared brought us closer together as a group.”

Retreats are powerful for students, and in junior year, they can choose from several options: Kairos, Wilderness, Emmaus, and Ignatian Service. Each is designed for a profound faith encounter. During student-led testimonials, they can dig deep to share their emotions. Augie Pacetti ’96, Director of Mission, notes that at this age students have an increased capacity for internalizing and experiencing faith on a deeper level. Students are developing a personal connection with Jesus Christ, mirroring the core principles of the Spiritual Exercises.

Maurio Powell '25 shares, “The Wilderness Retreat allowed me to grow closer to God. I connected with students that I normally wouldn’t interact with. We were encouraged to be open to others and not be afraid. I think there is a perception that men should be closed off. At Saint Ignatius, we learn that being a man is not that. It’s tough to express your emotions; if you learn to do that, that's being a real man."

Christian Service
Juniors and seniors are encouraged to participate and become leaders in service and justice programs such as the Saint Benedict Joseph Labre for the Homeless Ministry, the Saint Joseph of Arimathea Pallbearer Ministry, or other Christian Action Team (CAT) programs. "Labre has allowed me to engage in faith formation that is ultimately based in service-learning. In encountering my homeless brothers and sisters, I have had the opportunity to learn that there are needs in this world beyond my own, and I have a responsibility to help," shares Edwin Avery ’25.

Many students are profoundly affected by their service experience and take it a step further. For example, senior Michael Koury created the Solidarity Project. By partnering with the Adopt-A-Student Charity, they hold monthly Zoom calls with their peers in Lebanon to provide hope for these students. Khoury shares, “At Saint Ignatius, we are abundantly blessed with opportunities, and I thank God daily for the gifts He has given us. This project was born out of a desire to respond to His blessings by creating a space where our students can witness the hope and resilience of our brothers and sisters in Lebanon. Despite unimaginable circumstances, they testified with gratitude to God's presence in their lives.”

Reflection
Reflection is a key component of a Saint Ignatius education, and this year, all seniors participated in the Suscipe Project. The Suscipe Capstone Project is a culmination of work focused on a student's reflection of their years at Saint Ignatius in the five areas of the Grad at Grad, using the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm framework. “The Suscipe Project is a special practice to reflect on the good, the bad, and different areas where I grew during my high school experience. I think the only true fulfillment from this reflection comes when you buy into the process and fully reflect on what was important to you throughout high school,” reflects Solar. It was meaningful for all faculty and staff to serve on the panel for these presentations, which took place on Holy Thursday. 

Chaplaincy Program
Saint Ignatius High School strives to provide a holistic experience, integrating athletics and extracurricular activities with rigorous academics. The legacy of Jim Skerl ’74, the beloved Theology teacher who passed away in 2014, remains a powerful influence, particularly through the service organizations he co-founded. To honor Skerl, a former student athlete, his number 34 has been retired from the freshman and JV teams, and a special award bearing that number is awarded annually in various activities to recognize individuals who exemplify his character.

The late Pope Francis described the Church as a “field hospital”, and at Saint Ignatius, faith formation continues outside of the classroom. The Sports and Arts Chaplaincy program was founded in 2014 to bring evangelization to the field and the stage. In the Jesuit approach to ministry, it’s about going out to where the people are and walking with them. Non-coaching adults are commissioned to be the team chaplain and show students how we bring faith to the team or club. It is through this program that some students have powerful religious experiences. There's a faith reflection component to it, and there are also fun rituals that take place, such as a blessing of boots for soccer players, rackets for tennis players, balls for bowlers, and so on. This shows that as we utilize all of these elements of God’s creation, we give greater glory to God. 

There are many paths a young man can take with his Jesuit education. Student Senate president Jad Alsouss ’25 observes, “One thing I am taking away from Saint Ignatius is that aspect of caring for others. Saint Ignatius showed me a lot of love during my four years here, and because of that, I feel I have the responsibility to go out and love others and show people that they matter.” 

Alumnus Michael Costello ’22 used his faith experience and founded a ministry for inmates in Milwaukee near the campus of Marquette University, where he just finished his junior year. Michael shares, “Faith is the underpinnings of my service. Without faith, it is hard for me to be motivated, avoid burnout, and be connected to folks I am serving. Faith is one of those things that doesn’t have to be shiny, just a solid foundation, like bricks. Most of these insights I was told at Ignatius, but it was the experience at Marquette that solidified and affirmed these beliefs.” 

Vocations
A fair share of our alumni even become Jesuits, including Fr. Jack McLinden, S.J. ’10, who was ordained a priest in June this year. Fr. Linden shares, “I was not thinking of being a Jesuit when I was a student at Saint Ignatius. However, I was deeply formed during high school in Ignatian spirituality through retreats and campus ministry and in a faith that does justice through the CAT and Arrupe Neighborhood Partnership. I enjoyed seeing Jesuits at the weekly community Mass and having Jesuits as teachers. And so when I felt called to be a priest, I was drawn to the Society of Jesus.”

The vitality of Saint Ignatius High School lies in its steadfast commitment to Ignatian Spirituality. From the daily practice of morning Masses, the Examen, to the immersive retreats offered to our students, the school provides a structured and supportive environment for students to cultivate a deeper relationship with God. Saint Ignatius empowers its students to embody its namesake's principles and live lives of purpose, faith, and action. The ongoing dedication to these Ignatian ideals ensures that the school will continue to shape young men into thoughtful, compassionate leaders for generations to come.



This story was originally published in the Spring issue of the Saint Ignatius magazine; to read the full issue click here.