Hans News Service Vijayawada

AndhraLoyola Institutions celebrated the Feast of St Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus, with great devotion and enthusiasm on Friday, reaffirming the Jesuit commitment to excellence in education, faith, justice and service.

The celebrations were held jointly by Andhra Loyola College, Andhra Loyola Institute of Engineering and Technology (ALIET), ALCAA School, Kala Darshini, and the 18 Jesuit management members serving across the institutions.

The Society of Jesus, founded in 1540 by the Spanish soldier-turned-saint St Ignatius of Loyola, today serves people in more than 120 countries through its educational, social and pastoral missions. The Feast of St Ignatius is observed every year on July 31 in Jesuit institutions across the world.

Addressing the gathering, Fr Joe Sebastian, Rector of Loyola Institutions, urged faculty, staff and students to embrace the core Ignatian values of discernment, determination and selfless service. He said these enduring principles help individuals discover their true purpose in life while inspiring them to make meaningful contributions to society.