2008 Woodie Awards
Proudly Roman Catholic
Faithful students in a college environment
Peter Oven
Issue date: 10/1/07 Section: Features
What does it take to be a Catholic here at Gonzaga? As a Catholic university, what makes us different from UW or Eastern? Do we have a responsibility to integrate the truths of Christianity into all areas of university life? It is interesting to consider, however, just what a Catholic university does that is different from secular universities. In the first sentence of our mission statement, three attributes about this university are identified: humanistic, Jesuit, and Catholic. These three things make up the cornerstone on which this university is built.
As "humanistic," we affirm the inherent dignity of the human person. It is well known that our students are very active in serving the poor, the disadvantaged, and the marginalized in both our local community and around the country. This shows that students are truly interested in fulfilling the mission of the university. Through education we do not elevate ourselves above the needs of others, but rather, we strive to become more attentive to those situations in the world that need our help.
However, the humanistic element cannot stand-alone. It is not, per se, a strong enough foundation on which to base an educational system. The ultimate purpose of a Jesuit education is not to form people who will change the world or to form people who will make new scientific discoveries, as respectable as those reasons seem to be. The end of a Jesuit education is the salvation of one's soul. If your education at Gonzaga is not bringing you closer to God, then it is failing to fulfill its function. Likewise, our service for others, while it can be done at least in part because of their inherent human dignity, becomes disordered if we lose sight of its ultimate goal, which is to grow closer to God by serving His kingdom. The Jesuit element at Gonzaga relates classroom experience with what is taking place in society. The ultimate goal is that, in doing these things, both in the classroom and in society, we may grow closer to God.
As "humanistic," we affirm the inherent dignity of the human person. It is well known that our students are very active in serving the poor, the disadvantaged, and the marginalized in both our local community and around the country. This shows that students are truly interested in fulfilling the mission of the university. Through education we do not elevate ourselves above the needs of others, but rather, we strive to become more attentive to those situations in the world that need our help.
However, the humanistic element cannot stand-alone. It is not, per se, a strong enough foundation on which to base an educational system. The ultimate purpose of a Jesuit education is not to form people who will change the world or to form people who will make new scientific discoveries, as respectable as those reasons seem to be. The end of a Jesuit education is the salvation of one's soul. If your education at Gonzaga is not bringing you closer to God, then it is failing to fulfill its function. Likewise, our service for others, while it can be done at least in part because of their inherent human dignity, becomes disordered if we lose sight of its ultimate goal, which is to grow closer to God by serving His kingdom. The Jesuit element at Gonzaga relates classroom experience with what is taking place in society. The ultimate goal is that, in doing these things, both in the classroom and in society, we may grow closer to God.
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