ADMISSIONS NEWSLETTER | SEPTEMBER 2024

Loyola Blakefield Provides a Catholic Jesuit Education

Lord our God...You sent us your Son to teach by words and example that true wisdom comes from you alone. Send your spirit upon these sons of Loyola and fill them with your wisdom and blessings. Grant that they may devote themselves to You, and share what they have learned. Grant this through Christ our Lord. 

 - Adapted from the Roman Ritual’s Book of Blessings

Near the conclusion of the Baccalaureate Mass, the text above was the blessing I used for the Class of 2024. In full disclosure, I was grateful we had made it to that point in the liturgy, as I began that Mass with some trepidation. I’m used to public speaking, and I’ve certainly addressed large crowds before; it doesn’t usually faze me. But I can’t remember the last time I was the principal celebrant for a Mass with that many people. As I climbed the steps to the high sanctuary, reverenced the altar, and turned around, I admit to having a racing heart and a dry mouth. The Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, dedicated in 1959, was built to seat 1,900 people. I can’t be certain that many were there on June 1st for the vigil of Corpus Christi, but it certainly felt that way to me. And if there were, would it surprise anyone? People have been telling me for the past few months how immense Loyola’s impact is on our local community, and I’ve been able to see that play out in a myriad of ways since I was named President. But the fullness of that impact probably didn’t hit with full force until the Baccalaureate Mass with so many people in attendance.

To be able to impart that blessing meant a great deal to me, because contained within it, is all I hope for a graduate of our school: That he knows all he has been given—including his intelligence—is from God alone, that God will continue to make him wise, and that he will dedicate himself to serving God by serving others. I think those are things that Saint Ignatius would want, as well. Any graduate of our school who takes those things to heart—at any point in his life—is someone of whom we can be proud.

A.M.D.G.

Rev. Dennis M. Baker, S.J.

President

Ignatian pedagogy: A model that seeks to develop men and women of competence, conscience, and compassion for greater service to the Gospel. It was developed through an adaptation of the Ratio Studiorum, the document which helped guide teaching and learning at the very first Jesuit schools, dating back to the 1500s.  

Ignatian Spirituality: A paradigm that seeks to find God in all things—in all peoples and cultures, in all areas of study and learning, in every human experience, and especially in the person of Jesus. It stems from the First Principle and Foundation of Saint Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises.  

Men and Women for Others: Substituting Christian love for self-interest as the driving force of society. It was a phrase first uttered by the Jesuit Superior General, Fr. Pedro Arrupe, S.J. in a now famous speech in 1973.  

Cura Personalis: This phrase stems from how the Saint Ignatius set up governance in the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits). Jesuits know that each member of the Society of Jesus is different and has particular talents and needs. As such, Jesuit superiors are tasked with dealing with each Jesuit differently, and individually. Jesuit institutions like Loyola model their care of people in their communities after Jesuits' care for one another.  

Discernment: A spiritual approach to decision making, wherein the person with a decision to make tries to match his or her own will to God's will.  

Magis: This is also from the Spiritual Exercises. It is related to discernment in that, Ignatius encourages his retreatants, when faced with two good decisions, to try to choose the one whereby the most good will result.  It does not mean "going the extra mile" or "doing more than what is asked."

Don: A Spanish gentleman, a Spanish knight

JesuitResource.org

Athletic Teams are in Full Swing!

Come out and join us for a game and support the Blue and Gold!

School Fairs

It is that time of year for School Fairs and our Admissions team will be representing Loyola in the greater community. Please join us as we share the benefits of a Loyola education including information about our rigorous academics, athletics, student life, our robust program of extracurricular activities, opportunities for service, and much more!

We hope to see you there!  

• Monday, September 9th St. Ignatius Loyola (open to the public)

• Monday, September 16th St. Mark (open to the public)

• Tuesday, September 17th St. Margaret (open to the public)

• Wednesday, September 18th Resurrection St. Paul (open to the public)

• Thursday, September 19th Immaculate Conception (open to the public)

• Monday, September 23rd St. Joe Fullerton (open to the public)

• Monday, September 23rd St. James Academy

• Tuesday, September 24th School of the Incarnation (open to the public)

• Wednesday, September 25th St. Ursula (open to the public)

• Thursday, September 26th Sacred Heart (open to the public)

• Monday, September 30th Mother Mary Lange (open to the public)

• Monday, October 1st Calvert

• Thursday, October 3rd Monsignor Slade (open to public)

• Thursday, October 10th Harford Day  

Don for a Day

We look forward to seeing you on campus as a Don for the Day!

You must complete your application before scheduling your Don for a Day experience. Once your application is submitted you will receive an email inviting you to schedule a day that works best for your family.

Not quite ready to apply but want to visit campus?

We have some great options for you!

Our Small Group Tours will be held on:

• October 1st, 4:00pm
• October 5th, 10:30am
• October 11th, 4:30pm
• October 23rd, 2:30pm

Register here.

Open House

Open House is set for Sunday, October 20th from 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM. There will be faculty, staff, students, and parents to answer questions and guide you on your tour. The campus will be alive with activity so you can experience student life at Loyola.

Register to Attend.

The Admissions Process

Our application is live on our apply page and a checklist is provided so you know next steps in the process. We are here to guide you on your journey and answer any questions.

Our team looks forward to working in partnership with you and your son! We are excited to meet you in-person these coming weeks. Until then, have a fantastic start to the school year!

Roll Dons Roll,

The Admissions Team