The Cavalier Chronicle October 2017 A Crash Course to Ignatian Spirituality By Elizabeth Gumula ‘18 When I first arrived at Prep in 2014, I had doing justice and service within our local a vague idea that I was entering a Jesuit community and beyond. Service is school. I knew it was connected to the something taken very seriously here. Of Catholic denomination… but that was it. course, you have to complete your Little did I know that the Jesuits would required hours, but the service beyond literally take my life, turn it upside-down, the requirement is where the real work and then make it right side up again, but begins. Often with seniors who have in a whole different light. Class of 2021, developed a deep passion for service will when you first came to orientation in do countless hours after their 50 hour August, you were introduced to the statue requirement, dedicating their Sundays to of Saint Ignatius of Loyola in the lobby. volunteer at homeless dinners or time That guy is so important. You’ve heard all after school to spend time with under- about his life, his hardships, and how he rose from them to become the man we know him to be today. privileged children. As Jackie Robinson once said, “A life isn’t significant except But what is Ignatian spirituality? It’s much more than what you probably for its impact on other lives.” memorized for your first theology test. My favorite Ignatian teaching is You’ve been introduced to the basics, “cura personalis” or “care of the entire AMDG (Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam, or “for person.” What on earth does that mean? the greater glory of God” ((It’s also Father As Mr. Kilker would say, “Well, I’m glad Maher’s front license plate!))), and Ad you asked.” The care of the entire person Altiora Natus (“born for higher things”). is vital to our existence- this idea that we They are the foundation of the ideals of care for every part of our lives, from our the Jesuits, focusing on our ultimate goal academics, spiritual life, extracurriculars, of glorifying God and doing things for family, friends, and everything in- God, but that is just the surface. between. It’s this idea that we not only enjoy all of these things our life offers us Something you will frequently to learn, but that we grow and strengthen hear throughout your years here at Prep is our call to be “men and women for these things to their fullest potentials. Speaking of growth, that happens to be others,” people who are committed to another vital part of Jesuit education. If Cavalier Chronicle – O c t o b e r 2 0 1 7 P a g e | 2 you grow you can only become taller, it, I promise it will make sense and be smarter, kinder, stronger. You can’t really worth it. There is still so much to shrink. Saint Ignatius grew. It is never too experience here. There are summer late to start growing. service trips to look forward to, Kairos retreats to go on (where you get naked These are just a few of the lessons and eat pie!), and Ignatian Days to you will learn more in-depth here. As you celebrate. You have so many Examens to journey through Scranton Prep, you will practice, inspiring homilies and stories to slowly put together pieces of this Jesuit listen to, and so many more lessons to puzzle. I’m not sure that anyone ever learn from that great man whose life and finishes the puzzle and is “completely legacy began when his life was shattered. Jesuit educated.” The Jesuits give us all My advice? Don’t take these days for the tools, but it is our responsibility to go granted. Look around you and learn as out into the world and set it on fire. It is much as you can about yourself and other our job to use those tools to create people. Learn about what the Bible has to something beautiful, and to transform say and what sins are deadly and veinal. that information into passion. Listen to your classmates and teachers. Don’t be frustrated if you’re an So how do you better your underclassman and you still don’t get this understanding of Ignatian Spirituality? whole Jesuit thing. It takes time and reflection to understand what it is we’re “Laugh and grow strong.” supposed to be looking for. Once you find -Saint Ignatius of Loyola Cavalier Chronicle – O c t o b e r 2 0 1 7 P a g e | 3 Senior to Freshman Advice! By Brigid Lynett ‘18 Dear Scranton Prep Class of 2021, help to shape the person you become. Do not be afraid to talk to new people. Do not avoid talking to a new person because of I would like to give you some things you have heard about them in the advice that I wish somebody had given past few months (or prior). People are me when I was a freshman. Before I more than the stories you have heard dispense this advice, I would like to about them. You are surrounded by so recognize an important point- I know not many amazing, kind, and intelligent many of you will follow my advice; I know people- get to know as many as possible. a few of you will read this and think I’m Appreciate that the people around you full of it and I know many of you will not are your family now, and family do not even read this at all. Those of you who are turn their backs on each other. The Prep willing to read with an open mind, I family will be an extremely important advise you to slow down and appreciate part of your life for the next four years your life. Slow down and take time to and beyond- treat it as such. appreciate yourself, the people around you, and your environment. Appreciate your environment. When you walk into Scranton Prep every You should appreciate yourself. morning you pass a statue of Saint Appreciate that you are a human being on Ignatius. I love Saint Ignatius. If you take a journey. Forgive yourself for the full advantage of your Prep experience, mistakes you make, and don't be afraid to you’ll love him too by the time you're a feel proud of doing something right. senior. To me, he is a symbol of hope- a Freshman year is, without a doubt, the man who was lost and then who was most socially stressful year of your prep found. Think of this as you pass him. As career. Do not let meaningless drama you walk through our halls, look around. affect the way you feel about yourself Study all of the lockers, the classrooms, (also note: most drama has a shelf life of the many stairs, and the benches. roughly one week- it will be gone before Appreciate these sights. Soon as you walk you know it.) As long as when you go to through our halls, You will see memories- sleep at night you can honestly say you’ve the table where you first spoke to a great done your best to be a good person, you friend, the staircase where you almost have nothing to worry about. You deserve broke your tailbone, the classroom where to appreciate yourself. you first learned Agricola, Agricolae, Appreciate the people around you. Masculine, or the locker you could never You will meet some of your best friends quite open on the first try. Appreciate the throughout your Prep career. They will things you see around you, one day they Cavalier Chronicle – O c t o b e r 2 0 1 7 P a g e | 4 are going to make great settings for times) your time here goes by before you unforgettable stories. know it. So, Class of 2021, whether you chose to heed my advice or not there is I wish you all the very best in your one thing you absolutely must do- go Prep careers. This is an amazing place and forth and set the world on fire! (although you’ve heard this a million Prep Unveils New Alumni Service Corps! By Stephen Postupak ‘19 Common to many Jesuit schools year, and he will also be assisting Mr. across the country, the Alumni Service Davis, our Dean of Admissions. Ms. Davis Corps is an organization created to better will be heading the tutoring program this the everyday life of all students. This year year while also being the assistant to our we have three great workers as Mr. athletic director. All have very important Brown, Ms. Casey, and Ms. Davis, all jobs, so the Alumni Service Corps is sure graduates of Scranton Prep, return for a to make this year a success schoolwide! limited time only! These wonderful All of the members of the Alumni Service people in the Alumni Service Corps are Corp expressed both their eagerness to hard at work this year performing a meet new students and their gratitude multitude of duties. Ms. Casey is heading towards all of the welcoming teachers the important job of being the after school and faculty members. Each year we will service coordinator with the goal of have new people compose the Alumni getting students more involved in both Service Corps, so stop in and introduce local service and social opportunities in yourself before the end of the year is the community.