Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice

The Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice, which bills itself as the largest annual Catholic social justice gathering in the United States, will be a virtual event from October 24-26 this year. Nevertheless, it will follow the traditional Teach-In format with more than 40 speakers, breakouts, prayer and liturgy, and advocacy.

This year’s theme is “Prophetic Resilience: Breaking Down. Building Up.” Organizers say that "the events of this year emphasize the need to gather as members of a community committed to social justice for continued education and action."

 

From the website:

Inspired by people of faith who witness to the truth of our interdependence, we are called to break down all that separates us from the love of God, from each other, and from flourishing. We are called to become vulnerable in order to break down biases and unfair privileges. We are called to holy boldness in order to name divisive self-interests and uproot the causes of oppression and violence. We are called to uncover and remember, in the words of Pope Francis during the coronavirus pandemic, “our blessed common belonging, of which we cannot be deprived: our belonging as brothers and sisters.”

 

Inspired by communities of faith who remind us of our power as co-creators with God, we are called to build up our individual and collective capacities for healing and justice. We are called to rise up for the common good. We are called to tap into the energy of the Spirit at work in ourselves and in others so that, in the words of Sr. Ita Ford who was murdered in El Salvador 40 years ago, we may find something that gives us deep meaning and keeps us moving forward together.

 

Using the power of a virtual space to connect our network, the 2020 Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice will serve as a witness to our resilience—continuing our work to collectively seek a more just world even in the midst of a pandemic. 

 

In these days in particular, we are called to prophetic resilience, described by Sr. Thea Bowman,  whose death 30 years ago we commemorate and whose holiness we seek: “let us sing, let us resolve, let us unite, let us be practical and let us break bread together.”

Participants will receive access to an on-demand library of all conference speakers, supplemental materials, and virtual exhibitor materials through June 1, 2021.

 

The Teach-in will feature a high school track and a professional development track. Information about the program and how to register is available here. People who register by September 16 save $5 per ticket.