Apostolic Aims

Educational Quarterly (JEQ), produced a report on how the 6-year-old periodical was perceived by Jesuit readers throughout the United States.Having synthesized the responses, Farrell felt the need to reiterate the purpose of the JEQ.And so, he offered the following: [JEQ's] aims are to establish and illumine principles which are lacking or erroneous in secular education, to help all [all emphasis in the original] Jesuits to determine what Jesuit education really is, and to provide a stimulating challenge to Jesuits to broaden their educational interests and thinking...It is undoubtedly true that "great teaching" has always been a Jesuit ideal.That ideal needs constantly to be reaffirmed and revivified.Mere techniques and methods, however, are not enough.They draw what value they have from a clear and deep understanding of educational aims and principles, from a growing and inspiring sense of power over the subjects one teaches, and from a mastery of the art of eliciting, by communication of mind with mind, a fruitful response in the student.It is this that is the essence of great teaching.And it is this that the Quarterly would make its chief concern.