Mission and Identity Programs
Manresa for New Faculty and Staff
The term "Manresa" refers to the orientation programs specially designed to acquaint new faculty and staff with Xavier's Jesuit heritage and educational tradition.
For information on this year’s Manresa, see Manresa for New Faculty and Staff program information
AFMIX
AFMIX (Assuring the Future Mission and Identity of Xavier) is Xavier's flagship professional development program focusing on the mission and identity of the University. It is a 2-year program for faculty, staff, and administrators of any religious affiliation, or none at all. It offers a comprehensive understanding of the Ignatian vision and how it is integrated throughout Xavier inside and outside the classroom.
AFMIX program information
AFMIX Participants
AFMIX is supported by a generous gift from Phil '68 and Beth '74 Gasiewicz.
Ignatian Mentoring Program
With a 2004 grant from the Lilly Fellows Program in Humanities and the Arts and subsequently endowed by the XU Jesuit Community, the Program fosters a profound understanding of Jesuit education and Ignatian pedagogy through guidance by senior faculty. The learning outcomes are clearly evident within the classroom setting and showcased, by discipline, in Teaching to the Mission.
Ignatian Mentoring Program program information
Ignatian Mentoring Program participants
Taking Time to Reflect
Ignatian Retreat for Faculty Research and Writing
This program is for Xavier tenured and tenure track faculty, teaching professors and senior teaching professors to have a concentrated time to research and write on a topic of their choice. Participants are welcome to work on a current project, begin researching a new topic of interest, or develop a new course that will be offered.
The Spiritual Exercises / Direction
Opportunity is available to engage in Ignatius Loyola’s Spiritual Exercise and guidance.
Contact Tim Sundrup for information.
W.I.S.E.
Wisdom and Integration through the Spiritual Exercises (WISE), a year-long group experience of Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises, is offered periodically for faculty. For more information, click below:
Signature Masses
Mass of Welcome
This mass is celebrated for first year students, their families, and the Xavier community and is the beginning of the Manresa orientation program.
Mass of the Holy Spirit
At the beginning of each new academic year, the Xavier community gathers for this annual mass and campus-wide celebration. For more information, Mass of the Holy Spirit program information.
Mass on the Feast of St. Francis Xavier
This mass celebrates the patron saint of the university, St. Francis Xavier, on December 3rd.
Baccalaureate Mass
This mass is celebrated for graduating students, their families, and the Xavier community at the end of the academic year as part of the commencement festivities.
Jesuit Family Mass on the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola
This mass is a celebration of all of the Jesuit works in the greater Cincinnati Area: Xavier University, St. Xavier High School, Xavier Jesuit Academy, St. Peter Faber Academy, the Jesuit Spiritual Center at Milford, Bellarmine Chapel, and St. Xavier Church. This mass is celebrated on the Sunday closest to July 31, the feast ay of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits.
Celebration of Colleagues
An event held every April offering a Presidential recognition of participants in the Center's major educational programs. For more information, Celebration of Mission Excellence program information.
Sustainability and the Mission
Thursdays, from 12:00-1:30 p.m.
This new program is open to all Xavier faculty and staff. It will provide participants with a deeper understanding of Xavier’s sustainability initiatives and their connection to our mission and identity as a “Laudato Si’” university.
Each week we will visit various spots on campus that showcase particular sustainability initiatives. In addition to learning more about sustainability and Xavier’s mission, we will have ongoing discussions about various topics and learn what we can do to advance sustainability at Xavier.
At the end of the program, participants will be recognized as an Ignatian Educator of Distinction.
Xavier's Seminar on Ignatian Leadership
Xavier’s Seminar on Ignatian Leadership will focus on animating Ignatian principles and practices throughout campus. Weekly sessions include presentations and discussions on principles of Ignatian leadership, personal and communal discernment, and Jesuit education. Practical models and practices will be shared that may be adapted by participants for use in their own areas. Participants will complete a Capstone Reflection/Project at the end of the program which may be based on one of the practices or models shared during the sessions.
National and Regional Mission Programs