School Traditions

Alma Mater

Audio: Alma Mater
Sung by John Paquette ’52; Music by the Jesuit Blue Jay Marching Band

Hail, Alma Mater, dear,
Loyal sons acclaim thee,
Thy sacred name revere
For its majesty.

Star of our youthful years,
By thy beams illumined,
Souls advance in wisdom’s bright careers,
Mind and heart enlightened.

Friend and guide ’neath standards bright,
Trumpeting valor’s cry.
Skyward stream thy blue and white
Thy gallant fighting sons climb high.

So shall thy banners be
Guides to Heaven’s spheres.
Lead, O lead us on to victory,
Mother Alma Mater dear.

Composed by Michael Cupero
First sung at the 1934 Commencement Exercises

Fight Song

Audio: Fight Song
Music by the Jesuit Blue Jay Marching Band

Jesuit High, our Alma Mater,
Hear thy sons thy name proclaim to ev’ry ear.
We pledge our lives to thee,
Our love, our trust, and loyalty. 

Blue and white thro’ all the days of life,
We’ll honor thee in victory and strife.
Hail thee, we’ll acclaim thee,
Jesuit High, our Alma Mater fair.

To the front for success
Onward we’ll ever stride thro’ the years
We thy sons ever will be thy pride.
We’ll conquer side by side.

Jesuit High School Seal

Jesuit Seal New-edited

The Jesuit High School Seal was introduced and declared official at Commencement Exercises on June 1, 1934, by Reverend Louis Mulry, S.J., who at the time was president of the school. The seal was drawn and painted by Oscar W. Rabensteiner, Jr., a graduate of the Class of 1936, and has six features:

The Star

The star symbolizes the Immaculate Conception. The original and formal name of Jesuit High School was the College of the Immaculate Conception. Mary, the Mother of God, was conceived without original sin; the name of this dogma is the Immaculate Conception. The colors of Jesuit High School—blue and white—are the colors traditionally associated with our Blessed Mother.

The Blue Jay

Originally the only award given at Jesuit High School was a Blue “J” on a white sweater. The “J” originally stood for the Jesuits’ School for Boys. When the Class of 1920 published its annual (yearbook), the students associated the Fighting Blue Jay with the Blue “J.” Walt Kelly, the famous cartoonist who created the comic strip “Pogo,” visited Jesuit in 1954 and students asked him to draw a mascot for the school. Kelly drew a Blue Jay standing in a fighting pose. The student body had a contest to name the Blue Jay, and the name “Jayson” was selected as the winner.

The Pelican

This is the official state bird of Louisiana. Once near extinction, the Pelican has enjoyed a great comeback and thrives not only along the Gulf Coast, but also is seen flying gracefully at certain times of the year over Lake Pontchartrain and nearby Bayou St. John. This wounded pelican not only symbolizes Louisiana and the Archdiocese of New Orleans but also exemplifies the sacrifice of Jesus, pouring out His blood to give us eternal life.

The Wolves and The Pot

This symbol was taken from the coat of arms of Ignatius Loyola, who was the founder of the Society of Jesus, which simply became known as the Jesuits. The name Loyola comes from the Spanish lobos (the wolves) y (and) olla (the pot).

A.M.D.G.

This is the motto of the Society of Jesus—Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam—For the Greater Glory of God.

The Old English “J”

The center of our Seal stands for Jesuit High School.