St. Bonaventure’s College is committed to forming young men & women who are beginning to take responsibility for their own growth, seeking opportunities to stretch their minds, imaginations, feelings, and religious consciousness. Pedro Arrupe, former Superior General of the Society of Jesus, liked to speak of the graduate of a Jesuit high school as a “man or woman for others”— one who lives not only for themselves; one who has begun to move beyond self-interest and self-centeredness; one who can value the unique mystery of other people; one who is committed to making life better for everyone.

The Christian Service Program is intended to foster a student’s growth into this kind of person. The Program seeks to prepare the student to exercise Christian attitudes in today’s world. In a culture that has grown obsessed with the self and individualism, young people need opportunities to transcend themselves in achieving their identities, to commit themselves to causes and persons greater than their individual egos, to work for the common good.

The Program is not aimed at career exploration or job training. Rather, it is our hope that through direct personal contact with people in need, our students will come to realize their potential and talents as persons, and recognize their responsibility to serve others.

Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25:34-40