The only experience I’ve had with cults is when I spent half an hour talking to a guy from the Hari Krishna in New York City who was trying to convert me. At the end of the conversation I don’t know if he gave up on my soul or just got sick of me.
Some would say that I’ve been a member of a cult here on Fairfield. The reference is to the Ignatian Residential College, of which I’m proud to say I was a member of during its first year.
Who am I? Whose am I? Who am I called to be? These questions are not asked of a cult, where individuality is quashed.
These are questions asked with the intent to challenge college students who, even though they are at a ripe time for asking these questions, rarely take the chance.
And yes the Ignatian Residential members do live in a building together, but this hardly makes them a cult. If the qualifications of a cult were that you live with a bunch of people then that qualifies every college student across the nation.
Considering how cliquish Fairfield is, the Ignatian College is paradoxically combating that status by creating a community of individuals. “Stand out from the herd!” is what we heard continually from Fr. Regan’s Modern Philosophy class.
Speaking of classes, it’s not a coincidence that Fairfield’s best and most popular professors either taught a class for the Ignatian College or have contributed in some way, whether it’s been through lectures, mentoring groups, or one of the dinners.
The Ignatian College is also an effort to strengthen our Jesuit identity. The ideals of the Jesuits are something to be proud of. We should not feel compelled to apologize for being Catholic, even today. “Work hard, play hard, and pray hard” is one of the motto’s of the Jesuits. Once you go Jesuit, you never go back. You will always question, always push, always challenge everything to find the truth.
In this way, the Ignatian College is rejuvenating the Fairfield identity. It takes what is best about Fairfield-the best classes, the best professors, the best dorm, the best opportunities and the best values-and lets college sophomores run amok with them.
Somewhere in the Gospel of Luke it is said “were not our hearts on fire?” This quote hung on the walls of the first floor all year long (before it was replaced with real art for the new class…no I’m not jealous). If that doesn’t move you, then I can’t help you, but maybe the Ignatian Residential College can. Happily, it’s your choice.
So freshman, when it’s time for you to consider if the Ignatian Residential College is for you, don’t write it off because of rumors you’ve heard and don’t join without thinking about it. Instead, think it through for yourself. In any case, if you can make a conscientious decision, you deserve not only a place in the Ignatian Residential College, but a place in the dying breed of thinking persons of the world.
Leave a Reply