Jesuit Studies Café

Fall 2024 Conversations

At Jesuit Studies Cafes in the Fall of 2024, we will discuss three topics connected with the Society of Jesus after the 1814 restoration: education, cinema, and mission.

September 26, 2024

Michael Rizzi, University of Pittsburgh

“An Americanized Jesuit Tradition of Education: A Brief History of Jesuit Colleges and Universities in the United States"

The twenty-seven Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States share an interconnected history that spans two centuries. This presentation explores how Jesuit higher education in America expanded from four original centers in Washington, D.C., St. Louis, Santa Clara, Louisiana, and New York, each linked to different ethnic immigrant groups. It traces the growth of Jesuit educational institutions, highlighting initial setbacks, unsuccessful attempts to establish colleges, and the ultimate success of the twenty-seven schools that adapted and evolved within the American higher education system, ensuring their survival to the present day.

Zoom | 9:20 a.m.–10am (U.S. Eastern, UTC-4)

 October 31, 2024

Nick Kemper, St. Xavier High School, Cincinnati, OH

"The St. Xavier Archives: Preserving Jesuit History at the High School Level"

Founded in 1831, St. Xavier High School is one of the oldest Jesuit institutions in the United States. The school’s archives, which contain institutional records dating back to 1840 when the Jesuits took control, serve as a crucial repository of its rich history. This presentation will delve into the development of the St. Xavier Archives, the variety of materials they contain, and how these resources are used to preserve and teach Jesuit history at the high school level.

Zoom | 9:20 a.m.–10am (U.S. Eastern, UTC-4)

November 21, 2024

Steven Stergar, University of Udine, Italy

"(Film) Education Matters! The Case of the Antonianum in Padua and Jesuit Engagement with Cinema"

The Antonianum College, run by the Jesuits in Padua, has been a significant educational and cultural institution in Italy since its establishment in the early twentieth century. Over the years, the college has built a reputation for its academic programs and its innovative use of cinema as an educational tool, engaging students, families, and broader audiences. This presentation examines the history of the Antonianum College and its relationship with cinema, providing insights into broader educational concerns and the Italian Jesuits’ engagement with this medium.

Zoom | 9:20 a.m.–10am (U.S. Eastern, UTC-5)

December 19, 2024

Elisa Giunipero, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan (Italy)

“The “Return” of the Jesuits to Shanghai in the Mid-Nineteenth Century"

After the Society of Jesus was suppressed in 1773, its presence in China was drastically reduced, though not entirely eliminated. This presentation focuses on the “return” of Jesuit missionaries to China and examines the distinctive aspects of their work in Shanghai during the second half of the nineteenth century. It situates the Jesuit cultural and social activities within the broader context of China’s tumultuous modernization process and shifting historical-political landscape.

Zoom | 9:20 a.m.–10am (U.S. Eastern, UTC-5)