What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses himself?
With these words, St Ignatius, Guru of St Francis Xavier, confronted this ambitious young man.
Francis (December 3 marks the Feast of St Francis Xavier) was studying at the most famous university in Paris, dreaming of becoming a great academician and earning glory in the world’s eyes.
Although he initially did not give any importance to this utterance, the words kept recurring in his thoughts and their significance ultimately dawned upon him, transforming his life. His mission in life was no more to work for his personal glory but to toil for the greater glory of God.
To fulfil this ideal, he joined his Guru, Ignatius, with six others and formed the Society of Jesus or the Jesuits. The society was devoted to the divine cause, selflessly serving humankind in multifarious forms, but especially through the mission of education.
The way Francis Xavier found the basic goals of Jesuit education and pioneered Jesuit education in India and Asia, his name has become synonymous with education. Commitment to education and facilitating transformation through education became the cherished dream of Francis Xavier.
This sacred quest coincided with the vision and mission of his Guru, St Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. Ignatius, through his band of Jesuits, passionately pursued and fulfilled this mission in Europe and Africa; while Xavier accomplished it in India, Asia.
Francis Xavier’s journey to India was a mission envisaged by Guru Ignatius. On April 7, 1541, aged 35, he left Lisbon and after an arduous journey of 13 months, sailing in ships via the most turbulent Cape of Good Hope, he arrived in Goa on May 6, 1542.
Goa was the Portuguese capital of India then. For 10 years, he went around the western and southern coasts of India, then the islands of present-day Indonesia and Malaysia and later Japan. He preached his message of divine love and altruism to all, especially for the poor and the marginalised.
He helped people reconcile with each other, bringing them closer to God through his prayers and selfless concern. His sacred touch healed the sick, infirm and the helpless.
His greatest service was through his Mission of Education, to form future students and thus transform society at large. That was his way of showing God’s love and concern for all.
Reaching India in 1542, one of his first responsibilities was to open the first Jesuit college of St Paul’s in Goa.
“I have heard the call of God and I must respond to the call,” Francis Xavier said many times. That call was translated into bringing about a change through education — the transformation of the person, of society and of our environment.
The basics of education for him were to educate the students in literature, oratory and other useful subjects. He wanted them to face various aspects and challenges of life, having integrated education to form character and personality. He stressed the local customs, culture, and language. He gave importance to moral, ethical and religious values.
Through the students, he aimed to transform the society of that time, so that all could love, serve and respect others, especially the marginalised, and bring justice, peace and prosperity.
After opening the first Jesuit college in Goa in 1542, there were three mission schools in India initiated by Xavier up to 1548.
These were in Goa, Cranganore and Bassein. In 1549, under Xavier’s direction, two colleges were opened at Cochin and Quilon. In 1548, he initiated the founding of a college outside India at Malacca, for students of the Indonesian islands, Japan and China.
Since then, there has been no looking back for the Jesuits. Hundreds of colleges and universities were opened and continue to be opened not just in India but all over the world, with one motive — to impart the model of education set by Xavier and Ignatius to transform society.
By the time St Ignatius died in 1556, the Jesuits were running many schools and colleges in Europe, Asia and Africa.
Now in India, the vision and mission of Xavier are being fulfilled by the Jesuits through their service in three universities, 14 autonomous colleges, 25 affiliated colleges, six business schools, nine education colleges, three engineering colleges, one law college and eight research centres. This is a joyful affirmation that the legacy of Xavier is being carried on. All in and for the greater glory of God and greater service to men and women in today’s world.
The model of Jesuit education is fulfilled by six key values. These are: Cura Personalis, meaning development of the whole person, of body, mind, heart, spirit of self, as well as of the others; Men and Women for and with others to embody the spirit of serving the needy, poor, marginalised and pursuing justice for all; the need to be United in Minds and Hearts because of the diversity of people who go forth to set the world on fire with the Ignatian Mission and so to be Contemplatives in Action, which is one’s ability to reflect and pray to strengthen one’s inner life that guides all actions; Finding God in all Things, which is searching for and finding God in all circumstances of life; and, finally, Magis, which is discerning the greater good in any situation to serve God better.
When using these Jesuit values, we encourage group members to use these to fulfil their responsibilities and use the values to broaden their understanding of cultural and global differences.
In the mission of education especially, and in other areas of service, the Jesuits are aiming to fulfil their commitments through four priorities or preferences, called Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAPs).
These are i) leading people to God through spiritual orientation; ii) accompanying the youth in today’s world; iii) being with the marginalised, outcastes, refugees; and iv) caring for our common home, Mother Earth.
Given the dynamic and varied situations of the world, these are the areas where the Jesuits feel God is calling them to commit for transformation, to bring greater good to mankind and glory to God.
In St Xavier’s College, Kolkata, fulfilling the mission of St Ignatius and St Francis Xavier, close to 10,000 students are being formed on the main campus in Calcutta and the rural campus in Raghabpur.
In Raghabpur, the focus is on girl students who otherwise would not have had the opportunity of higher education. Job-oriented courses are being offered there so the rural youth, especially the girls, may avail of these training and support their families while building their future.
The autonomous college has 26 UG, 14 PG and eight PhD departments. Not just excellence in academics, students are prepared to be men and women for and with others as Francis Xavier wanted.
Last updated on 03 Dec 2024
