St. Ignatius Immersion Philosophy Statement

See below for the Immersion Application and Information for 2007-2008.

Based on a statement by Pedro Arrupe, SJ, former Superior General of the Jesuits, our institutions aim to educate "men and women with and for others." Part of the reason Jesuit high schools and universities exist is to educate students within a context that promotes a faith that does justice.

Immersion participants engage in service within a context that calls for solidarity with people on society's margins. Coming to know other communities and cultures through their traditions, struggles, celebrations, and expressions of faith, will challenge the minds and hearts of the participants. Additionally, participants experience Ignatian community through the combination of shared experience, simple living, reflection and prayer. As they continue to meet throughout their senior year, they are able to renew and deepen their understanding of what it means to be committed to work for justice.

The SI Immersion Program offers students the unique opportunity to put into practice the theories they have learned in the classrooms; namely, to recognize the dignity and value of each human being, to recognize that we ourselves grow and learn by being of service, and to recognize that the gospel message of love, service and commonality are only fully realized through action. As St. Ignatius said, "Love is shown more in deeds than in words".

Immersion Application and Information for 2007-2008

Click here to download the Immersion application. (PDF Format)

• Applications will be available in the Campus Ministry Center, from the Christian Service office and on-line on Monday, October 8, 2007. They are due in Friday, November 9. If you need an extension, see Ms. Vanderpol.
  
  Please keep an additional copy of your application. Applications received by the due date will receive priority. Late applicants may not receive interviews or be considered for the program.
• Christian Service: You must have completed your Service Graduation Requirement (including Core Service done in conjunction with a reflection journal) by the application due date (November 9th). If you will need an extension for your service hours, please see Ms. Girard.
• Limited Financial aid is available to those able to demonstrate need. Come talk to Ms. Vanderpol for more information.
• Applications will be processed and applicants will be interviewed during December, January and February.

Criteria for acceptance
There are usually more qualified applicants than spaces available. We will look to accept individuals who demonstrate the following characteristics, among others:

• who know that service is an integral part of life,
• who demonstrates openness and acceptance of people,
• who lives in a way that reveals commitment to gospel values.

Trips
The trip offerings for the summer of 2008 will be dependent on the safety of international and domestic travel. The trips will be announced in February of 2008. The application is made to the program, not to a particular trip, although applicants may indicate their preference. This past summer, SI students traveled to New Orleans, San Francisco, Salinas, Sacramento, East Los Angeles, Tacoma, and Costa Rica. Each trip group has approximately six to eight students and 2 adult leaders.

If you have any questions, Please contact Ms. Vanderpol in Campus Ministry at (415) 731-7500 extension 402 or via email. If you have questions regarding your Christian Service Requirement, please contact Ms. Girard at (415)731-7500 extension 299 or via email.