John,

Today, May 25, 2021, marks the one year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd. “I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe” were the words he uttered over twenty times while being held face down on the ground for nine minutes and twenty-nine seconds. 

Floyd’s death propelled the U.S. more deeply into a racial reckoning. Indeed, the last year has further compelled the Ignatian family to grapple with the legacy of racism in our own network through accountability, action, and, as people of faith, discernment and prayer.  

We work within an Ignatian and Catholic landscape that historically, and even today, is often complicit in the sin of racism, both implicitly and explicitly.  We know that in working for racial justice, we will, at times, fall short and make missteps, but to fulfill our faith-based social justice mission rooted in the Gospel, we must make this a priority.

Yesterday, Catholics and many other Christians celebrated the Feast of Pentecost, commemorating Jesus breathing on his disciples the power of the Holy Spirit. In his breath, he offered his followers a breath that had the potential to change the world—a breath of hope, a breath of peace, a breath of love, a breath of justice. A we commemorate the unconscionable loss of George Floyd, whose breath was taken away—are we committed to responding to the Pentecost Gospel? Are we willing to be people of love, of peace, hope, and of justice? What will each of us do to build a society where no one’s breath is stolen? 

Below, we invite you to explore some of the ways that the Ignatian Solidarity Network and others in the Jesuit network have worked to advance anti-racism in the last year. Please use and share these resources as we work together to respond to the call to dismantle systemic racism, reimagine policing in our communities, and build a more just and equitable society.

We continue to hold in our prayers the family of George Floyd and all who continue to be victimized and traumatized by the impacts of systemic racism.


Peace,




Christopher G. Kerr
Executive Director
Ignatian Solidarity Network
RACIAL JUSTICE RESOURCES FROM ISN: 
21-Day Ignatian Racial
Equity Challenge
Walk with the Jesuit and broader Catholic network as we learn, pray, and take action for racial equity. For 21 days, enter into the complex work of understanding the realities of racial injustice and anti-Blackness in the U.S. Take the Challenge
Novena for Racial Justice
For nine days, join in prayer with the Novena for Racial Justice, framed in the example of Catholic saints and servants of God who provide a witness and example for us in our work for racial justice. Pray With the Ignatian Family
 
Interconnected: 21-Day
Environmental Justice Challenge
Join Interconnected—a 21-day environmental justice challenge—and walk with the Ignatian family as we learn, pray, and take action at the intersections of economic, racial, and environmental justice. Join Interconnected
RACIAL JUSTICE VIDEOS: 
HOW THE IGNATIAN FAMILY IS RESPONDING: 
        
 

OUR MISSION:

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.
 
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