Jesuit education,: An essay on the foundations of its idea

John W Donohue

• Publisher: Paeroa House
• Year: 2026
• eBook ISBN:
  9781779794857
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Religion

What happens when a revolutionary educational philosophy collides with the turbulent currents of American society? In this penetrating exploration, John W. Donohue unveils the hidden foundations of one of history's most influential yet controversial educational systems. From the corridors of Georgetown to the classrooms of countless institutions worldwide, Jesuit education has shaped presidents, poets, and rebels alike, but few understand the profound intellectual architecture that makes it so uniquely powerful. This isn't merely an academic treatise - it's an archaeological dig into the very soul of learning itself. Donohue masterfully dissects the intricate web of spiritual discipline, intellectual rigor, and moral formation that distinguishes Jesuit pedagogy from all others. Written during America's educational awakening of the 1960s, this work captures the electric tension between tradition and innovation, between ancient wisdom and modern demands. The author guides readers through the labyrinthine corridors of Ignatian spirituality, revealing how contemplation becomes action, how prayer transforms into scholarship, and how the formation of character becomes as crucial as the accumulation of knowledge. Each page pulses with the passionate conviction that education must touch not just the mind, but the entire human person. For educators seeking deeper meaning in their vocation, parents questioning what true learning should accomplish, and anyone fascinated by the intersection of faith and reason, this book offers transformative insights that transcend religious boundaries. Donohue's analysis resonates powerfully in our contemporary debates about educational purpose and methodology. Whether you're drawn to understanding alternative pedagogical approaches or exploring how historical educational models might address today's challenges, this work provides both theoretical framework and practical wisdom. It's an essential text for anyone who believes education should cultivate not just informed minds, but transformed lives.

Table of contents

• Title page
• TABLE OF CONTENTS
• DEDICATION
• FOREWORD
• PREFACE
• PART ONE — THE CONTEXT OF THE IDEA
• CHAPTER II — ON SOME DOCUMENTARY SOURCES
• CHAPTER III — ON A NOTABLE DIVERSITY OF PLACES, TIMES AND PERSONS: JESUIT SCHOOLS PAST AND PRESENT
• CHAPTER IV — ON CERTAIN PRESUPPOSITIONS
• PART TWO — THE CONTENT OF THE IDEA
• CHAPTER VI — THE EDUCATION OF CHARACTER
• CHAPTER VII — THE SOCIAL DIMENSION: EDUCATION IN AND FOR SOCIETY