Though already familiar with the phrase “men for others,”
it was not until my junior year religion class with Mrs.
Barbara Reynolds that I truly encountered the depth of
what Fr. Arrupe was inviting us to as young men formed
in the Ignatian tradition. I would wrestle with this call in
college and in discerning my vocation. His words continue
to challenge and inspire me as an Ignatian educator each
time I return to h is text: in my years teaching a social
justice elective to high school seniors, in my Education for
Peace and Justice course as an adjunct faculty member at
Fordham University, or in my decision-making as an
administrator at the Prep. Each opportunity allows me to
once again hear the striking words of Arrupe: “Have we
Jesuits educated you for justice? … in all sincerity and
humility: No, we have not.”
Are we doing any better now, 45 years later? Is the
answer still no? I don’t believe it completely is, but we
should always commit ourselves to that which gives
greater glory to God. As we explore new ways to educate
young people committed to a faith that does justice in this
spirit of the magis, Arrupe’s impactful words still echo
throughout the halls of Fordham Prep and the global
network of Jesuit schools. We are called to constantly seek
the will of God in all that we do. For as Arrupe reflects, “It
is that sensitiveness to the Spirit which enables us to
recognize where, in what direction, Christ is calling us at
different periods of history, and to respond to that call.”
The men of Fordham respond to the call of Christ with
hammer and nail in Robbins, Tennessee, building homes
for low-income families in rural America. They respond to
the call of Christ in their travels to new frontiers through
our Global Education Program, meeting companions on
the journey in Australia, China, Ireland, Rwanda, and
Tanzania just this past year alone. They respond to the
call of Christ when they feed the hungry at Part of the
Solution (POTS) on Webster Avenue and provide
companionship to those on the margins, to our
neighbors, our sisters and brothers in Christ.
On this year’s feast of St. Ignatius Loyola, we also
commemorate the 45th anniversary of “Men and Women
for and with Others.” It was on July 31, 1973 that Fr. Pedro
Arrupe, SJ, 28th Superior General of the Society of Jesus,
addressed alumni of Jesuit schools in Valencia, Spain with
a monumental vision that would radically reshape our
educational apostolates. A Basque like Ignatius before
him, Arrupe was affectionately known as the “second
founder” of the Jesuits, a man whose bold leadership
from 1965 to 1983 not only guided the Society in
implementing the changes of the Second Vatican Council,
but also gave renewed vigor to the Church’s preferential
option for the poor and vulnerable in the mission and
ministry of Jesuit works. It is a vision that still guides our
work at Fordham Prep today.
During the quieter moments of rest and renewal this
summer, I invite us to revisit the words of Pedro Arrupe in
our own lives. How do we live out the costly discipleship
of a faith that does justice? How can we live more simply?
How can we draw no unjust profit? How can we reform
unjust social structures? Whether at home, at school, at
work, or in our times of leisure, the questions evoked by
Arrupe’s bold vision are nothing less than a reflection of
Ignatius’ foundational questions in the Spiritual Exercises:
What have I done for Christ? What am I doing for Christ?
What will I do for Christ?
May the remaining weeks of summer be a source of joy
and consolation for you and your families, and may God
keep you safe throughout your travels. AMDG!
Joseph A. Petriello, PhD ‘98
Principal
S U M M E R 2018 | 5