Founded by the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) of the Chicago Province in 1961, Brebeuf Jesuit participates in the proven educational philosophy developed by the Jesuits when they founded their first high school in Messina, Italy, in 1548.   The Chicago Province, which encompasses Chicago, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Lexington, Ky., continues to send Jesuits to Brebeuf. Five now serve here.

The Jesuit educational philosophy is grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition that affirms the goodness of creation, the important role of the human intellect in the search for truth, the possibility of discovering God through rational reflection on human experience, the compatibility of faith and reason, and the moral value of intellectual excellence.

That philosophy is also grounded in the Catholic mystical tradition: God is present in every aspect of human life, inviting people of good will to faith and fullness of life.  Brebeuf Jesuit invites students of the Catholic tradition – and all other traditions – to seek God in their experience and to share their experiences of God with one another, including those of other religious traditions.

Consequently, Brebeuf Jesuit is Catholic in that we affirm the fullness of the Catholic intellectual and mystical traditions, while at the same time inviting those of other religious traditions into full participation in the life of the school.  Our religious studies classes – part of the course requirements for graduation – emphasize an understanding of world religions, including Christianity.

Brebeuf Jesuit is Interfaith in that to be Catholic today is to be committed to inter-religious dialogue (dialogue with non-Christian religions) and ecumenical dialogue (dialogue with other Christian denominations).  In this, we follow the example of Pope John Paul II in his outreach to people of all faiths and the guidance of the Society of Jesus in its official writings.

All religious traditions are welcome at Brebeuf Jesuit.