A.M.D.G. as it is more commonly known by everyone slightly familiar with the Society of Jesus. Literally, to the greater glory of God. In honor of the feast day of Ignatius of Loyola today, instead of the usual Sunday reading, I will write more about my Jesuit education.
St. Francis Xavier High School, 30 West 16 St, New York, NY was the scene of my secondary education. The decision to attend Xavier was mine in so far as my decision agreed with my father. Previously I knew nothing of Jesuits as I had been raised in a diocesan grade school. Freshman year brought many new lessons, one of which was the practice of entering A.M.D.G on the top, center of each paper, test, quiz and homework I submitted. I studied Latin I among my other subjects and the phrase had been drilled into me early and often. One day I (and a number of my classmates) neglected to place the acronym on a quiz that Mr Finnegan ,who taught Freshman algebra, had given that day. He noticed, smiled and said nothing that day. The next day's period was taken with a lecture concerning AMDG. I never forgot to start the paper after Mr. Finnegan's lecture.
There were countless other Jesuit experiences while I was at Xavier, suffice is to say that the Jesuits changed the most introverted young boy into most of the man you know me as today.
The nest time you see me, as for a rendition of the Xavier fight song.
Seriously, the next major influence on my faith life were the Capuchins of Sacred Heart, to be continued....
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