Loyola College of Arts and Science, affiliated with Periyar University Salem, and accredited by NAAC, is situated at Loyola Nagar, Mettala, near Oilpatty in Namakkal District. Rooted in the Jesuit tradition, the institution embodies the principle of "Faith that does justice," striving to uplift and empower the underprivileged through education. Established in 2015 by the Jesuits, Loyola College was envisioned by the Bishop of Salem, Rev. Dr. Singaroyan, and the clergy to provide higher education opportunities for marginalized and economically disadvantaged sections of society.
St. Ignatius of Loyola was born in 1491 into a noble family loyal to the Spanish Crown. Trained as a courtier and soldier, his life took a transformative turn in 1521 when he was severely wounded while defending Pamplona. During his convalescence, he immersed himself in religious readings, which profoundly impacted him. He renounced his military aspirations, choosing instead the path of spiritual service and dedicating his life to Christ.
In 1537, Ignatius was ordained in Venice, and in 1540, he founded the Society of Jesus along with a group of like-minded companions. Committed to the greater glory of God and the betterment of humanity, the Jesuits placed themselves at the Pope's service, ready to be sent wherever their presence was needed. Ignatius played a significant role in the Catholic revival of the sixteenth century and in renewing the Church's missionary endeavors. He passed away in Rome in 1556 and was canonized by Pope Gregory XV in 1622.
Ignatian spirituality is a guiding philosophy that fosters a meaningful and fulfilling life journey. Rather than rigid rules, it offers values, attitudes, and insights that help individuals recognize God's presence in all aspects of life-work, joy, sorrow, relationships, intellect, and nature. The essence of this spirituality lies in discernment, recognizing divine presence in everyday life, and striving to become "men and women for others."
The Society of Jesus (in Latin: Societas Iesu) is a Christian male religious congregation of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits. It is an anglicized version of the Latin Jesuita which is the combination of the two Latin words Jesu and Ita that means "Yes, Jesus." Their names end with a title: SJ, which abbreviates "Society of Jesus".
The Portuguese, who had political control over certain regions in the Indian sub-continent from 16th Century, supported the Catholic Church and the Jesuit Mission in many respects. Due to Political and ideological conflicts in Europe, on 21st July 1773, the Society of Jesus was suppressed by Pope Clement XVI. But after 41 years, Pope Pius VII restored the Society of Jesus in 1814 and the Jesuit order was re- established throughout the world.
Today, there are more than 16,000 Jesuits in 111 countries in 6 continents of whom around 500 are working at schools and colleges of Madurai Province. The Jesuits are well-known for their involvement in theology, education, and missionary work and publishing with fervent focus on social justice and human rights.
Founder of the Society of Jesus
Ignatius was born in 1491 at Loyola in Guipuzcoa. After spending some time as a courtier, he turned to a military career. In 1521, while convalescing after a wound received at the siege of Pamplona, he suddenly conceived a burning desire to follow the footsteps of Christ. His spiritual experiences during his retreat at Manresa were to provide the core of his book `Spiritual Exercises'. In 1537, he was ordained in Venice, and in the same year moved to Rome. There, in 1540, he founded the Society of Jesus, and in the following year was elected its first General. In every kind of apostolic work, he contributed greatly to the Catholic revival of the sixteenth century and to the renewal of the Church's missionary activity. He died in Rome in 1556, and was canonized by Gregory XV in 1622.
The Jesuit mission is often encapsulated in the phrase: "One mission, many ministries." Initially, Jesuits served as missionaries across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Today, they are widely recognized for their educational institutions, embodying St. Ignatius' directive to "find God in all things" and work for the "Greater Glory of God" (Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam).
Pope Benedict XVI affirmed the Jesuit commitment by emphasizing, "The Church needs you, counts on you, and continues to turn to you with confidence, particularly to reach the geographical and spiritual places where others do not reach or find it difficult to reach."
The Society of Jesus operates worldwide under the leadership of the Superior General, headquartered in Rome. The global structure consists of ten 'Assistancies', which oversee smaller administrative units called 'Provinces.' There are currently 83 Jesuit provinces worldwide, each led by a Provincial who reports to the Curia in Rome.
Established as an independent province on August 15, 1952, the Jesuit Madurai Province was the first independent Jesuit province in Asia. The Jesuit mission in Tamil Nadu traces its origins to St. Francis Xavier's arrival in Goa in 1542.
In 1606, the Jesuit scholar Robert De Nobili founded the Madura Mission in Madurai, serving until 1759. The mission was disrupted in 1773 due to the suppression of the Jesuits.
Following the Society's restoration in 1814, Fr. Roothan, the Jesuit General, assigned the Madura Mission to the Provincial of France, Fr. Francis Renault. Consequently, the Madurai Province emerged from the merger of the Old (1606-1773) and New (1937-1952) Madura Missions.
To enhance their mission among marginalized communities, the northern region of the Madurai Province was designated as the Jesuit Chennai Mission in 2007. This initiative focuses on empowering rural poor and Dalits, fostering social equality, human dignity, and economic stability.
Loyola College, Mettala, is a minority Catholic co-educational institution affiliated with Salem Periyar University. It is one of nine Jesuit colleges managed by the Jesuit Madurai Province, alongside institutions such as St. Joseph's College (Tiruchirappalli), St. Xavier's College (Palayamkottai), and Loyola College (Chennai). These colleges share a unified policy for admissions, appointments, and administration under the leadership of the Provincial. Loyola College welcomes individuals of all backgrounds without discrimination. Its motto, "Let your light shine" , reflects its mission to illuminate lives through education and empowerment.
Loyola College, Mettala, was founded by Rev. Fr. Guna and a team of dedicated Jesuits, responding to the invitation of Bishop Dr. Singaroyan of Salem. The foundation stone was laid on November 23, 2014. Under the leadership of Rev. Fr. A. Joseph, supported by the Provincial and the Mission Superior, the college commenced operations in July 2015 with 75 students enrolled in undergraduate programs in Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Commerce, and English Literature.
The primary mission of Loyola College, Mettala, is to provide quality higher education within a Christian ethos, particularly to the marginalized and economically disadvantaged, including Dalit students. While prioritizing Catholic students, the institution remains inclusive of all communities. The college aims to cultivate leaders in various fields, fostering justice, truth, and compassion in service of society. By equipping students with knowledge and ethical values, it aspires to drive transformative social change.
The college emblem features a shield divided into four quarters, with a torch and an open book. The crest bears the Jesuit monogram, IHS (Iota-Eta-Sigma), representing the name of Jesus in Greek. The yellow crest symbolizes sunshine, joy, and enlightenment, while the laurel leaves denote victory and prosperity. The open book signifies wisdom and intellectual pursuit, while the burning torch represents the quest for knowledge. Together, these elements embody the college's guiding philosophy: Let Your Light Shine , inspiring students to be beacons of hope and transformation in the world.
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