Chaplaincy

Jesuit schools are fortunate to be guided by a well-developed statement of the characteristic features which contribute to a recognizably Jesuit style of education:

The Characteristics of Jesuit Education, published in 1986, for worldwide use across all 2721 Jesuit schools, colleges and universities, sets out what a school needs to be and do if it is to be true to its Ignatian identity and fulfil its Jesuit mission. Our model of chaplaincy stems from this but has been specifically developed to meet the needs of students and staff at St Ignatius. There are eight key areas that we can identify:

1. Encounter with the person of Jesus Christ

2. Personal philosophy of life

3. Prayer

4. Worship

5. Social outreach

6. Leadership

7. Involvement in the life of the Church

8. Pastoral care

The College aims to assist each individual student in their spiritual development. The range of opportunities offered in the furtherance of this aim increases as students proceed through the school, as does the degree of choice.

“The spiritual quest is quite simply that of recognising the God who comes to meet us, and of having a free heart with which to respond to that meeting” - Archbishop Vincent Nichols

Social Outreach

The Chaplaincy and whole school are involved in a number of social outreach initiatives. The students join campaigns, raise awareness of and help to plan and run fundraisers throughout the year for local and international charities.

During Advent 2023 the student Faith in Action group chose two charities to support -

To support the Catholic Children's Society the Faith in Action group held a bake sale, a Christmas accessory day and had a retiring collection during our Advent Carol Service.

To encourage students to donate to the Foodbank form classes were given an Advent Giving Calendar containing a list of urgently need items.   

During the 2022-23 academic year each year group chose a charity to support:

Year 7: Jesuit Missions

Year 8: North London Hospice

Year 9: Nightingale Cancer Support Centre

Year 10: Jesuit Refugee Service UK

Year 11: Catholic Children's Society

Sixth Form: Cardinal Hume Centre and Women at the Well 

We also have regular collections supporting Enfield Foodbank for which we have our own drop off point.

In November, Year 7 students joined in Jesuit Missions COP 27 - Walk. Pray. Change campaign. The challenge was to walk a mile, pray for their partners in South Sudan and for a positive outcome to the COP 27. The miles walked were added to the grand total with the target being 3,677 miles, the distance between Glasgow and Sharm el Sheikh.

During Advent we joined with Exodus Youthworx and other local schools and organisations in the Love Christmas campaign - providing Christmas Hampers for families in the local community. 

 

Leadership

Students lead the daily Examen. Those who attend Wednesday prayer lead the Rosary and Stations of the Cross. During the liturgies throughout the year students take an active role in reading, serving and distributing Holy Communion as Eucharistic Ministers. Older students train and teach the younger members to Altar Serve. Students also lead assemblies.

Each year the College Captain and Vice Captains attend a Leadership Conference. The conference is run by the Jesuit Institute and is hosted by one of the Jesuit schools.  This provides the students with the opportunity to develop their leadership skills through a variety of mediums including, debating, critical thinking and preparing and delivering presentations.  It also gives them an opportunity to meet other Jesuit head boys and head girls, and to make new friends.

Our Fatih in Action group choses the charities we support, leads Acts of Worship to raiase awareness and fundraising.

In previous years, members of the Sixth Form have participated in the CAFOD Young Leadership programme which trains students to be CAFOD Ambassadors in school, leading assemblies and fundraising for their different campaigns.

 

Involvement in the life of the church

We have direct links with local parishes and the London Jesuit community, and priests from the local deanery and the Jesuit community reguarly visit the College. Every other year one of the monthly deanery meetings is held at the College.

Local and Jesuit priests offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Advent and Lent. 

A number of students and staff have been trained as Eucharistic Ministers and many of the students are readers and servers at Mass.

Students have the opportunity to visit Westminster Cathedral and other religious sites of interest throughout the year.

Encounter with the person of Jesus Christ

The whole school day offers students and staff opportunities to encounter Jesus Christ. There are set times of prayer and reflection. Each piece of work that the students prepare is marked at the top with AMDG, Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam, (for the greater glory of God). 

The College also makes provision for the students to take time out from their busy schedules and to have a day of retreat/reflection with their individual form classes. During this time the students learn about mediation and personal prayer and are provided with the opportunity to experience Ignatian meditation in order to encounter Christ.

Personal philosophy of life

Jesuit education places an emphasis on, and assists in, developing the role of each individual pupil as a member of the human community. Students, teachers and all within the community are encouraged to build a unity with others that goes beyond race, culture and religion.

Jesuit education also stresses the importance of understanding the context in which teaching and learning takes place, and the need to constantly evaluate the power and value of what has been taught. 

Students and staff are encouraged to continually find ways to develop and improve. The Magis (more) underpins all aspects of learning and development. This is the Jesuit philosophy linked to Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam (for the greater glory of God), by doing more for God the rest of society benefits. The pursuit of academic excellence is appropriate in a Jesuit school, but only within the larger context of human excellence. The success of Jesuit education is measured not in terms of academic performance of students or professional competence of teachers, but rather in terms of human flourishing.

Across the world, Jesuit schools seek to form the spirit of their pupils through reflection and the art of discernment, as schools of prayer and faith. There is an attentive care and knowledge of our pupils as individuals ‘cura personalis’ (the whole person) which allows them to flourish and provides support and encouragement when life at home or at school is difficult.

Latest Tweets

@st_ignatius Nov - 18
Last Friday we held one of our favourite events -Open Mic, and it was better than ever before! 🎤Our students amazed everyone with their talents. A big thank you goes to the audience for their support and incredible energy! ✨#amdg pic.twitter.com/BKi4uaJU6C
@st_ignatius Nov - 18
Happy Monday everyone! We are back after the half-term break with another Inspirational Person of the Week and Word of the Week.This week we have Chris McCausland and the noun 'Portrayal'. pic.twitter.com/epleocBiR9
@st_ignatius Nov - 14
Join us in prayer as we begin the Novena for the Canonization of Pedro Arrupe SJ!We invite you to take part in this special time of prayer. You can find more information, including a digital version of the prayer card here:https://t.co/9GBSaPi8fl
@st_ignatius Nov - 12
Calling all Alumni!We’re excited to invite you to our exclusive Beer & Curry Night! Get your tickets now using the link below!https://t.co/TtWdk9VCsl📅 Date: Friday 22 November📌 Location: St Ignatius CollegeTag your friends, spread the word and we will see you there!#AMDG pic.twitter.com/sRhNMMTdwA
@st_ignatius Nov - 12
From playgrounds to parliament, our homes to our phones, is here!Let’s and end bullying that impacts millions of young lives. 💙 Join us and to be part of the change! https://t.co/hRwZ7HgRFe — St Ignatius College () November 12, 2024
@st_ignatius Nov - 11
Today our community gathered for a special Remembrance Service honouring all who have sacrificed.We remember.#RemembranceDay2024 pic.twitter.com/3frKtLq95a
@st_ignatius Nov - 11
Happy Monday everyone!We are back after the half-term break with another Inspirational Person of the Week and Word of the Week. This week we have Natalie Dormer and the noun 'Solidarity'.#AMDG pic.twitter.com/97jJbL9H5E
@st_ignatius Nov - 9
Annual Mass For Deceased Old Ignatians - Sunday 17th Nov at 11am; at the College, Celebrant : Father John Moffatt SJPlease let us know if you want us to include anyone in the intentions. Loyola for post Mass reception 💙💛🙏🏻
@st_ignatius Oct - 25
Our brand new newsletter- The Ignatian Review Fist Issue of this academic year has just landed! Read about all the exciting events that happened during the last term in the link below: 🔻https://t.co/fDaNGOaADf pic.twitter.com/zpIXJ9OtUW
@st_ignatius Oct - 24
Recent rugby game vs Enfield Grammar.📸by Steve Corcoran pic.twitter.com/aEmt8dUWaa
@st_ignatius Oct - 21
Happy Monday everyone! We are back with another Inspirational Person of the Week and Word of the Week. This week we have Henrietta Mbeah-Bankas and the noun 'Disinformation'. pic.twitter.com/7Btn03wwF9
@st_ignatius Oct - 17
Did anyone say revision?Our Year 13 students working collaboratively in the Sixth Form centre to revise for their current mock exams.We wish them all the best results!#amdg pic.twitter.com/ppiT1JFag6