The Jesuits

The Society of Jesus, a Catholic religious group, was founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola in 1540. Since its inception, the members of the Society, popularly known as the 'Jesuits', have toiled in the field of education, among other things, and were called 'the Schoolmasters of Europe'. The Jesuits are inspired by a vision of humanity drawn from the life, teachings and personality of Jesus Christ. They manage educational and other service institutions throughout India and the rest of the world. St. Xavier's is one of the 3,900 Jesuit educational institutions in 70 countries around the world. The School is named after St. Francis Xavier, who was one of the companions of Ignatius of Loyola. From the very beginning the labours of the Jesuits among the people of India, Japan, China, Canada, Central and South America were as important as their activity in the Christian countries of Europe. The Jesuits manage St. Xavier’s, Bokaro Steel City in collaboration with the Sisters of the Franciscan Clarist Congregation.

The distinctiveness of a Jesuit education stems from its deep-rooted history and a mission grounded in faith and intellectual rigour. Since its beginnings in the 16th century when the first Jesuit institution opened its doors in Messina, Sicily, in 1548 Jesuit education remains committed to academic excellence, service, leadership, and caring for the whole person. Jesuit high schools embody a tradition that has stood the test of time, and have the proven experience of forming ordinary boys and girls into extraordinary men and women. In 2019 Jesuits run 827 schools in 70 countries the world over. About 1600 Jesuits and 49000 collaborators educate about 8.6 lac students in these schools. 374 Jesuit schools in India educate about four lacs students. Besides, the Jesuits run some of the best colleges, management institutes and universities across the globe.

Jesuit education is holistic as it seeks the growth and development of the whole person encompassing the cognitive, affective, psychomotor and spiritual domains. The programmes and activities of the school are structured to facilitate the bodily, mental, spiritual and emotional well-being of the students and the development of their social and interpersonal skills. Jesuit education helps students to realize that talents are gifts to be developed, not merely for self-satisfaction or self-gain, but rather for the good of the human community. Students are encouraged to use their gifts in the service of others, out of a love for God.

A Jesuit School is a place -
where people are believed in, honoured and cared for;
where the natural talents and creative abilities of persons are recognized and celebrated;
where individual contributions and accomplishments are appreciated;
where everyone is treated fairly and justly;
where sacrifice on behalf of the economically poor, the socially deprived, and the educationally disadvantaged is commonplace;
where each of us finds the challenge, encouragement and support we need to reach our fullest individual potential for excellence;
where we help one another and work together with enthusiasm and generosity, attempting to model concretely in word and action the ideals we uphold for our students and ourselves.