A.M.D.G.

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

 “For the greater glory of God”

Motto of the Society of Jesus

 These initials are seen engraved on cornerstones on Jesuit campuses around the world (OK, more recently, tattooed on various body parts).  The key to this motto is the word “greater.” Ignatius was not interested in simply doing good work, rather, he wanted Jesuits to seek out the greater. At Gonzaga, we often tell our students anyone can decide between good and bad, what we are interested in is teaching a discernment process allowing the individual to choose between good and good, good and better, and even at times, between better and better.  This process takes prayer, intelligence, and a focus on the other.  Glory is nice, we desire God’s greater glory.   

 Names and Places:
For most of our students, their first dining experience on campus takes place in the COG. Known as the “Center of Gonzaga” by many,  the building was named in the early 1950s in a student competition. Apparently, students in the 50s were somewhat brighter than today.  The real name of the COG is Cirulus Omniun Gonzagaeorum, i.e., the main marketplace of Gonzaga.  That being said, cirulus is also the Latin root for the English word circus.  Which might be an apt description for our freshmen’s first dining experience today.