Dons Attend 21st Annual Ignatian Family Teach-In For Justice
A group of Dons including Keivon Anderson '20, Jordan Andrews '21, Jude Baffoe-Bonnie '19, Kevin Lankford '21, Derek Lightner '20, Austin Maultsby '20, Michael Nwafor '20, Eric Vazquez '20, and Bryce Young '20 traveled to Washington, DC, from November 3–5 to take part in the annual Ignatian Family Teach-in for Justice hosted by the Ignatian Solidarity Network.
The Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice, now in its 21st year, is the largest annual Catholic social justice gathering in the United States. It brings together the Ignatian family (Jesuit institutions and larger churches) in the context of social justice and solidarity to learn, reflect, pray, network, and advocate together. Through dynamic keynote speakers and smaller presentations, participants are empowered, re-energized, inspired, challenged, and supported by a community that sees faith and justice integrally linked.
Our Dons attended the opening ceremony on Saturday along with nearly 2,000 students, faculty, and members of Jesuit schools, universities, and churches from all over the country. During the ceremony, they heard from one of the keynote speakers, Bishop George Murray, SJ,
Former Chair for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee Against Racism. You can view a list of other keynote speakers and breakout sessions here.
On Sunday, they took part in several breakout sessions and advocacy training with professional advocates to help prepare for discussions with their elected officials the following day. This year, our students chose to focus on humane immigration and criminal justice reform. In the evening, the group attended Mass and dinner with students from Jesuit schools all across the country.
Participants also had the opportunity to visit Capitol Hill and meet with elected officials to advocate about social justice issues, specifically ones involving comprehensive immigration reform and an end to mass incarceration. On Monday, students from Blakefield joined with Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Baltimore, Don Bosco (NJ), Cristo Rey Takoma Park, and Loyola University in a joint meeting with staffers from Senator Ben Cardin and Senator Chris Van Hollen’s office.
Participants also had the opportunity to visit Capitol Hill and meet with elected officials to advocate about social justice issues, specifically ones involving comprehensive immigration reform and an end to mass incarceration. On Monday, students from Blakefield joined with Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Baltimore, Don Bosco (NJ), Cristo Rey Takoma Park, and Loyola University in a joint meeting with staffers from Senator Ben Cardin and Senator Chris Van Hollen’s office.
It was a great weekend for this group of Dons, who let their voices be heard while advocating for the marginalized. Thanks to our Office of Ignatian Service for continuing to organize this experience each year.
