New Student Orientation & Investiture– Wednesday, August 13

This week Jesuit welcomed its new students for an orientation that wove together time-honored customs and fresh traditions. Students arrived in their homerooms to follow mini-schedules designed to help them navigate hallways and stairwells. Big brothers guided little brothers through the building, easing first-day jitters and fostering early bonds among classmates.

Everyone then gathered in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs for a prayer service and a talk led by president Fr. John Brown, S.J. He outlined Jesuit’s mission to develop young men of faith and service, emphasizing confidence, conscience, and compassion. He described true freedom as a harmony of memory (knowledge), understanding (reason), and will (the ability to choose rightly), and urged students to overcome ignorance, confusion, fear, apathy, and distraction.

Guidance counselor Robin Rhodes offered practical advice for a strong start: establish a structured study plan, remove distractions during homework, and seek support early—whether from teachers, counselors, or tutors.

Big Brothers lined Carrollton Avenue, cheering their Little Brothers as they passed through the double wooden doors that once stood on Jesuit’s original Baronne Street campus. The moment marked the beginning of their journey as Blue Jays, joining a legacy of young men who had crossed those same thresholds.

Principal Dr. Jeremy Reuther ’01 addressed the group in the auditorium, encouraging newcomers to join co-curricular groups or athletic teams, to incorporate their faith into daily life, and to form bonds of brotherhood with intention to lift one another up.

The day’s energy peaked in Benson Arena, where the student council executive board welcomed the new Blue Jays into their respective houses, each named after four saints of the Society of Jesus: St. Jean de Brebeuf, S.J., St. Peter Canisius, S.J., St. Miguel Pro, S.J., and St. Francis Xavier, S.J. Students faced off in tug-of-war, relay races, and spirited chants, with Canisius house claiming the opening victory. New Blue Jays departed Carrollton and Banks buzzing with excitement for the journey ahead at Jesuit.

Special thanks to MCJROTC for preparing a jambalaya lunch to end the fun-filled day on campus.

Mass of the Assumption– Friday, August 15

As part of every Blue Jay’s journey, Jesuit integrates spiritual formation—both explicit and implicit, intellectual and embodied—into daily life. In pursuit of God’s greater glory, Jesuit’s Christian formation animates all facets of school life for students, faculty, parents, and alumni. This commitment was on full display at the first all-school Mass of the year, celebrated on the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Mother Mary.

Fr. John Brown, S.J., and Fr. William Farge, S.J., led the full student body at Mass on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Students were urged by Fr. Brown, S.J., to look forward with hope. Their renewed trust in Mary’s intercession invites each student to offer every thought and action for the greater glory of God.

Music from the choir enriched the celebration, lending depth and reverence to the Eucharist. As students begin their academic year, this Mass served as a reminder that, like Mary, they are called to live out their faith in service to others, striving to grow into men of faith and men for others.