How Jesuit Record Keeping Fuels Mission and Identity: A Conversation with David Miros

Archivum Romanum Societatis Iesu (ARSI) in Rome to provincial and institutional archives in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, these centers serve as vital nodes in preserving the shared history and vision of the Jesuits.This interconnected system of archives reflects a foundational Jesuit principle: the integration of local and global perspectives for the greater glory of God.It is within this global framework that the Jesuit Archives & Research Center (JARC) in St. Louis, Missouri, plays its unique role in shaping the narrative of the Society of Jesus and its various apostolates.Just three miles from the iconic Gateway Arch-a symbol of national identity that bridges the past and the future-the JARC stands as a through point for the mission of the Society in the United States, Canada, and beyond.Under the stewardship of David Miros, its director, the JARC preserves an invaluable repository of artifacts, historical records, and media that reflect the evolution of Jesuit ministries, particularly in the United States.To better understand how archival work connects to Jesuit identity and serves as a means of imagining the future of Jesuit educational institu-