His Holiness, Pope Francis, elected March 13, 2013.
Our first Jesuit Pope
“Mary is a hymn to life, a hymn to love and to life…”
Pope Francis
May is the month that Catholics traditionally celebrate Mary, the mother of God. Pope Francis visited the Basilica of Saint Mary Major and led
the recitation of the Rosary, a principal devotion of the faithful and in use through the centuries. Please click here to find Vatican Radio’s translation
of the Pope’s reflection. http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-mary-give-us-the-grace-to-be-signs-an
Click here for a letter of the Holy Father to Father General
Click here for a statement from the Superior General of the Society of Jesus
Jesuit Father General Adolfo Nicolás has been appointed president of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG)
Jesuit Father General Adolfo Nicolás, superior general of the Society of Jesus, has been appointed president of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG), which represents the superior generals of more than 200 male religious orders. Fr. Nicolás will serve a three-year term and succeeds Franciscan Father José Rodriguez Carballo.
Loyola University Maryland Students Reflect on Advocating for Immigration Reform
The Jesuit Conference, U.S. Provinces, and Jesuit institutions have been centrally involved in shaping comprehensive, humane legislation to reform our nation’s immigration system. In February 2013, more than 50 students from seven Jesuit universities gathered in D.C. to be a part of a research release on undocumented students in Jesuit higher education led by Fairfield University’s Center for Faith and Public Life. Following the release, students advocated with their elected officials. Reflecting on their experience, two Loyola University Maryland students shared: “Advocating for comprehensive immigration reform made us look at being “women for others” in a new way—this public expression of solidarity, in partnership with students from all over the country, reenergized our dedication to work for equality.”
Stephen Fields, SJ, Receives Highest Teaching Award
Fr. Stephen Fields, SJ, associate professor of theology, Georgetown University, received the Dorothy Brown Award for Outstanding Teaching Achievement Friday, April 26. It is the University’s highest teaching award, presented by the Georgetown University Students Association and nominated by the undergraduate student body. Fr. Fields has been teaching at Georgetown for 20 years and is the first member of the Theology Department to receive this award. "Most of what I've learned about teaching has come over the years from my own Jesuit mentors. I'm deeply grateful to them, to the Society of Jesus that has trained me, and to Him Whose way we follow, Who is the greatest and best of Teachers."
Maryland Jesuit is Pope Francis’ Astronomer
Br. Guy Consolmagno, SJ (MAR), is the lead astronomer for Pope Francis. In an interview, he gives Premier's Justin Brierley an insight to life in the Vatican, what his work entails, faith and science, along with his own personal story. He even has an asteroid named after him. Click here to listen to the interview. http://www.premier.org.uk/hearttoheart
Jesuit Awarded Doctor of Ministry
Fr. Philip Florio, SJ (MAR), Assistant Vice President for Campus Ministry at Fordham University, was awarded the Doctor of Ministry degree after successfully defending his dissertation on April 25, 2013 at the Catholic University of America. He presented and defended the project in ministry titled "The Ignis Training Program: An Introduction to Ignatian Spirituality and Mission in the Jesuit Tradition for Educators and Staff in Jesuit Institutions of Higher Education”. Fr. Florio's work, Ignis, seeks to address how to successfully preserve and impart the Society of Jesus' charism, vision for mission, and brand of spirituality at its twenty-eight sponsored institutions of higher education.
Cristo Rey President Honored
Fr. John W. Swope, SJ, president of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Baltimore, received the Ignatian Volunteer Corps Baltimore Region’s 2013 Della Strada Award, in recognition of his commitment to the Ignatian values of service to the poor, and of working and educating for a just society.Father Swope received the award, which is named after the first church where St. Ignatius and his early Jesuit companions served the urban poor in the center of Rome, at Loyola Blakefield on April 21.
The Radio Mass is offered every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. from St. Ignatius Church in Baltimore. Broadcast live by WBAL radio, this broadcast, a service of Radio Mass of Baltimore, is also available live online.
Celebrate Mothers Day with your Dear Mother
Mothers Day is the perfect day to celebrate the joys of having a mother. It is the time to make amends for not being able to spend quality time with her. So turn your wrongs right by making all efforts to give a perfect Mothers Day to your mother. Think about honoring her with a Tribute Cardin her honor or memory or a Thank You for all she has done for you. Give her a warm hug and a big kiss as you wish her a Happy Mother’s Day!
Jesuit Solemn Days
May
4
St. Jose Maria Rubio, Priest
16
St. Andrew Bobola, Priest and Martyr
24
Our Lady of the Way
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Runners for Others: An Ignatian 5K
On Saturday, April 6, 186 runners and walkers gathered in Baltimore's Patterson Park for the first Runners for Others: An Ignatian 5K. Nine Jesuit and affiliated institutions in the Baltimore area collaborated to organize this fundraising and awareness raising event. Race participants were greeted by Loyola Blakefield's mascot, Saint Ignatius Loyola, and received a welcome and blessing from Maryland Provincial Fr. Jim Shea, SJ.
Principal Selected for New Cristo Rey School in Atlanta
Jesuit Father James R. Van Dyke has been named founding principal of the new Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School, opening in fall 2014. Fr. Van Dyke, who currently teaches English and religion at Fordham Preparatory School in the Bronx, N.Y., has worked in Jesuit secondary education for 24 years.
Cristo Rey Atlanta is a newly sponsored ministry of the Maryland, New England and New York Provinces of the Society of Jesus. The 500-student school will be part of the Cristo Rey network, which provides low-income students with a rigorous college prep curriculum. Students also participate in a corporate work-study program, which defers tuition costs.
Jesuit Father General Adolfo Nicolás, superior general of the Society of Jesus, has been appointed president of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG), which represents the superior generals of more than 200 male religious orders. Fr. Nicolás will serve a three-year term and succeeds Franciscan Father José Rodriguez Carballo.
Br. Guy Consolmagno, SJ (MAR), is the lead astronomer for Pope Francis. In an interview, he gives Premier's Justin Brierley an insight to life in the Vatican, what his work entails, faith and science, along with his own personal story. He even has an asteroid named after him. Click here to listen to the interview. 
Fr. Philip Florio, SJ (MAR), Assistant Vice President for Campus Ministry at Fordham University, was awarded the Doctor of Ministry degree after successfully defending his dissertation on April 25, 2013 at the Catholic University of America. He presented and defended the project in ministry titled "The Ignis Training Program: An Introduction to Ignatian Spirituality and Mission in the Jesuit Tradition for Educators and Staff in Jesuit Institutions of Higher Education”. Fr. Florio's work, Ignis, seeks to address how to successfully preserve and impart the Society of Jesus' charism, vision for mission, and brand of spirituality at its twenty-eight sponsored institutions of higher education.
Fr. John W. Swope, SJ, president of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Baltimore, received the Ignatian Volunteer Corps Baltimore Region’s 2013 Della Strada Award, in recognition of his commitment to the Ignatian values of service to the poor, and of working and educating for a just society. Father Swope received the award, which is named after the first church where St. Ignatius and his early Jesuit companions served the urban poor in the center of Rome, at Loyola Blakefield on
Mothers Day is the perfect day to celebrate the joys of having a mother. It is the time to make amends for not being able to spend quality time with her. So turn your wrongs right by making all efforts to give a perfect Mothers Day to your mother. Think about honoring her with a 
secondary education for 24 years.