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EnglishWhat is the Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN)?
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The Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN) is a national social justice education and advocacy organization inspired by the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Based at ignatiansolidarity.net, it works primarily with Jesuit universities, high schools, and parishes, as well as other Catholic and social justice partners. Its stated mission is to "network, educate, and form advocates for social justice animated by the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola and the witness of the Jesuit martyrs of El Salvador and their companions."
What ISN does
ISN describes its work through three verbs in its mission statement:
- Network — connecting Jesuit institutions, parishes, and partner organizations around shared social justice concerns.
- Educate — providing formation and learning opportunities on social justice issues grounded in Ignatian spirituality.
- Form advocates — helping people move from awareness to action on justice issues.
The organization frames all of this as animated by two sources: the Spiritual Exercises and spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola, and the witness of the Jesuit martyrs of El Salvador (the six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper, and her daughter killed in 1989) and their companions.
Who it serves
ISN's primary audiences, according to its own description, are:
| Audience | Relationship to ISN |
|---|---|
| Jesuit universities | Partner institutions for programs and advocacy |
| Jesuit high schools | Partner institutions, often through student formation |
| Jesuit parishes | Local communities engaged in justice work |
| Other Catholic partners | Collaborative organizations |
| Social justice partners | Broader coalition and advocacy allies |
Programs and initiatives
The site's navigation and headings point to several named efforts:
- Rise Up — a recurring ISN initiative (the heading appears alongside its main program areas).
- Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice — an annual gathering that is one of ISN's best-known events, bringing together students and advocates from Jesuit institutions.
- Catholic Ethical Purchasing Alliance — a program area focused on ethical purchasing consistent with Catholic social teaching.
The site also maintains a News and Stories (also labeled News and Voices) section, which publishes updates and reflections connected to its mission.
How to engage
The homepage offers two direct calls to action:
- Join mailing list — for ongoing news, reflections, and action alerts.
- Donate — to support ISN's work.
If you are a student, educator, or parish member at a Jesuit institution, the Teach-In and Rise Up are the most likely entry points. If you are an organization, the Catholic Ethical Purchasing Alliance and partner networking may be more relevant.
What ISN is not
ISN is not a Jesuit university, high school, or parish itself — it is a network and advocacy organization that works with those institutions. It is also not a general Catholic charity; its focus is specifically social justice education and advocacy, rooted in Ignatian spirituality and the Salvadoran martyr legacy.
For current program dates, registration details, and any costs, check ignatiansolidarity.net directly, since those specifics change by event and season.