10 July 7, 2019

Francis Eugene L. Matugas Reading and Writing

Grade 11 – Gaudium Ms. Dolocanog

“What’s so great about a Jesuit education?” This is a question most people, especially
students who are not studying in a Jesuit education-based school, often find asking themselves.
What really is so great about a Jesuit education? What makes it stand out? What makes it
different from the rest? More importantly, is it worth it? Based from the article, I learned that
Jesuit education is indeed worth it. I learned that Jesuit education stands out because of three
things. These three things that Jesuit education teaches are as follows: cura personalis, the
elusive concept of the magis, and the idea of being men and women for others.

Let’s start with the first one, which is cura personalis. Cura personalis is the educational
goal of caring for the “whole person.” Other colleges or educational institutions aim for the
growth and development of only the body and the mind, but Jesuit institutions are committed to
the care of the whole person – which includes the soul. In this way, they help students become
whole people. As a new student in a Jesuit-based education, I can see that this is indeed true. I
can see how passionate the school is in developing its students not only academically and
physically, but also emotionally and spiritually. This is seen as the school encourages students to
attend to their spiritual lives by attending masses, having spiritual warmups and cooldowns, and
having prayers in each part of the day. These simple yet effective acts really improve the
individual. Take it from me, a student of the school Ateneo De Cebu. I am speaking from the
heart that the Jesuit education-based school is really improving me physically, mentally, and
most importantly, spiritually as a student and as a child of God.
The second thing is the rather elusive concept of the magis – the more, the better, the
greater for God. This comes from the motto Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam. (“For the Greater Glory
of God”) and, more fundamentally, from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. In Ateneo
De Cebu, the “magis” concept is always emphasized and is being practiced daily. I admire this
about the school because it teaches us to be more, to aim for higher and not for what is only
ordinary or mediocre. It teaches us to be extraordinary. From academics to extracurricular
activities or even just the little things we do in our daily lives, the school encourages us to always
be “magis” in all that we do. That is also what makes a Jesuit education-based school stand out
from other educational institutions.

Finally, the third thing is the idea of being men and women for others. Jesuit education
teaches that a good life is an other-directed life, meaning a life for others. This is what I really
admire about my school Ateneo De Cebu because it teaches us the importance of service and
encourages us to serve others, and to help one another especially the needy. This is truly
important because it is the teaching of Christ himself, that we must love our neighbors as
ourselves by being of service to them, especially to the poor and hungry. Jesuit education-based
schools like Ateneo De Cebu encourage this action as seen by the various outreach programs it
has for the needy. And like the other two things, this is also what truly makes Jesuit education
different from the rest – what makes it stand out.

All these things are indeed true because I have seen it with my own eyes and felt it with
my own heart. I can really say that Jesuit education is truly WORTH it. This is because not only
does it teach us how to grow and develop mentally and physically, but it also teaches to grow
spiritually and improve ourselves as children of God. Another reason is because it encourages us
to be more and to do more through the concept of magis, which teaches us to aim higher and be
better in all that we do. Lastly, Jesuit education is worth it because it teaches us one of the most
important virtues there is, which is the virtue of service, and it encourages us to serve others
especially the ones who need it the most. This is what improves the individual. This is what
develops the soul of the person. In conclusion, it is safe to say that Jesuit education indeed stands
out from other types of education. It is safe to say that Jesuit education is indeed worth it all.