Traditions
Faith & Service
Mass of the Holy Spirit – The opening school Mass each fall, a global Jesuit school tradition
The Examen - Developed by St. Ignatious of Loyola, designed to help individuals recognize God's presence in their daily lives and discern His guidance.
Prayer for Generosity – A school-wide time of quiet, reflection and prayer done daily to close out The Examen and to instill selflessness and service.
Kairos Retreats – A capstone retreat for Juniors and Seniors focused on faith, brotherhood, and reflection
Ignatian Service Corps – All students commit to authentic and meaningful service to the community that surrounds them
Grad at Grad Recognition – Honoring Juniors who embody Ignatian values
Senior Service - Since 1971, a requisite for graduation from The High, required each senior to spend their Wednesdays performing service. It is the oldest such program in Michigan
Brotherhood & Spirit
“Big Brother” Program – Juniors and Seniors are paired with Academy students and Freshmen to welcome them into the brotherhood
Homecoming & Spirit Week – Schoolwide pride with dress-down themes, pep rallies, and games
Backfield Blast & Gatherings – Events meant to strengthen bonds across classes and unite them with sister schools
Alumni Volunteer Corps - A nine-month program provides the opportunity for alumni fresh out of college to use their talents and energies to benefit the U of D Jesuit community on a daily basis.
Athletics
Rivalries in the Catholic High School League – Historic competition with our CHSL partner schools in multiple sports
The Fight Song – Sung after games (win or lose) by the team and the student section
The Den - Our spirited student section ready to root for our Cub teams
Fill the Bowl - When students, alumni, families and future Cubs fill up the gym for a basketball game.
Maroon Cup - Annual swim meet between two maroon power swim programs ( U of D Jesuit and Seaholm H.S.)
Pack the Park - Another yearly tradition when the hockey team rallies the fans to fill up Hazel Park Arena
Academic & Cultural
Honors Convocations – Celebrating academic excellence and leadership
National Honor Society Inductions – A formal recognition of student achievement
Pledge Detroit! - The largest student-led fundraiser that benefits co-curricular activities and caps off with the Walk-a-Thon, a 10-mile walk through our Detroit neighborhood, a tradition started more than half-a-century ago
Decision Day – A visible celebration of Seniors’ college decisions or paths they have determined to take in the trades or athletics
Senior Red Carpet – Seniors enter the school through the Diamond Staircase, reserved only for special events, in order to walk the red carpet on their last day of school clapped in by faculty
JUG - The first "jug" was issued on September 29, 1886. According to an excerpt of "The High" by John McCabe, on that day, "John N. created a disturbance in class by putting a dead mouse on a front desk in a handmade coffin." Contrary to popular belief, a JUG was not an acronym for Justice Under God, but rather a then current slang for "jail". Students issued a jug were kept after school to receive a variety of punishments. While not a positive experience, it appears that JUG stories unite generations of U of D Jesuit students.
Prayer for Generosity
Lord, teach me to be generous.
Teach me to serve as you deserve;
To give and not to count the cost;
To fight and not to heed the wounds;
To toil and not see for rest;
To labor and not to ask for reward;
Save that of knowing I am doing your will.
St. Ignatius of Loyola,
Pray for us.