José Alberto Mesa SJ, Promotio Iustitiae no 138, 2025/1

In this article, José Alberto Mesa, S.J., examines the history of Jesuit education, tracing its evolution from humanist roots to its current emphasis on “serving the faith that does justice.” The article highlights milestones, such as the establishment of early Jesuit schools that provided free education and Father Pedro Arrupe’s call to shape “men [and women] for others.” Mesa emphasizes how Jesuit education has increasingly focused on social justice, inclusion, and service to the poor. Through its schools and initiatives like Fe y Alegría, Cristo Rey, and JRS, Jesuit education worldwide reflects a new humanism—one that combines academic excellence with ethical commitments, aiming to develop individuals who seek to change the world through faith, justice, and compassion.