The Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus recognizes that we must take responsibility for our legacy of boarding schools with Indigenous peoples. We must all confront, atone, and strive for healing and transformation for the shameful actions against Indigenous people wherever and whenever they have occurred.
In anticipation of their ordination to the priesthood, Jesuit scholastics are ordained to the diaconate during their theology studies. The diaconate role, in which they typically serve for six months to a year, is the final step in their preparation for priestly ordination.
Today marks the feast day of St. Francis Xavier, SJ, one of the first Jesuits, who is considered by some to be the greatest missionary since the time of the Apostles.