[by M. Jadot (Alumnus of Collège Saint-Michel – Brussels - graduated in 1970)]

Jesuit education, which implements the Ignatian pedagogy - after the name of Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556), founder of the Jesuits - was the subject of many books written by highly competent authors. The few words that follow do not pretend to compete with them neither to synthesize what they have written. It is rather the simple testimony of someone who, having benefited from a Jesuit education has been marked and appreciates the degree of influence it has on his everyday life as a father and a man active in the society.
This education, I believe, is based on three pillars: the positive attitude, the development of talents and the service to others.

I) The positive attitude
It’s a flair, a state of mind of the one who sees the positive side in every person encountered, in any information heard, in any circumstance experienced, in every object and who has preconceived favorable opinions. But this positive look must not be understood as a mere contemplation, it is an active principle, it is an invitation to act. It is an invitation to develop the relationship with the person, to explore the information, to experience fully the circumstances of life, to respect the object, etc.. This state of mind is conducive to strong commitments; it leads to take it to heart and to do it thoroughly.
This implies however that we discern with pragmatism and modesty, the issues in which we want to deploy our talents with more efficiency and that we establish a priority amongst them.
Hence, commitment, surpassing oneself, idealism are pivots of the Jesuit education.
They are also important for a society that, like ours, sometimes struggles with discouragement.

II) Development of the talents
The Jesuits have founded many schools where they have lavished their teaching. The development of the talents goes beyond teaching, though. Ignacian pedagogy aims at developing our four basic dimensions: body, mind, heart and soul. The subject is asked to develop his physical, intellectual, but also human (the relationship to others) and spiritual (the relationship to God) dimensions.
This is done in a certain way, according to a certain method, three features of which are rigor, critical thinking and questioning. They must lead to the discernment that comes before action.
Rigor should, uncompromisingly, govern the analysis prior to action, but also the implementation of this action. It can be translated by a modern term, a bit simplistic though: professionalism.
Critical thinking is a foundation of understanding. It frees the mind and produces Christian free thinkers … people who are often very “restless” in the Catholic Church or other religious currents.
Questioning is the constant inquiring about oneself that governs the search for the best. Questioning is the antonym of complacency and should be practiced consistently, even and especially after the action.
Jesuit education encourages us to never being satisfied with the status quo, but to strive for excellence, for the better (MAGIS) in a perpetual quest.

III) The service for others
“A talent is meaningless if it serves only the one to whom it was granted” said Ignatius. This little phrase reveals his vision of our role on this earth: we are not here for ourselves but for others. We are the managers, not the owners of the talents that were granted to us: after we develop them, they must serve the well-being of our fellows. It is a fundamental message of Christ. Ignacian education leads us to be men for others in the light of the Gospel, as we would put it in Christian terms.

The positive outlook leads us to be vectors of optimism.
The talent development leads us to be factors of progress.
The sense of service to others leads us to be agents of solidarity.
These are three fundamental characteristics of the Jesuit education.
This education has no monopoly on these values, but it has erected them in a coherent system. This system rests in the heart of those who freely choose it and it becomes a source of strength as well as a guideline on the path of their lives.