Jesuits and Social Justice

This article examines the history of social justice ministries within the Society of Jesus. Despite the fact that the term is fraught by a great disagreement both about its meaning and its place within Jesuit apostolates, successive Jesuit general congregations have upheld its importance over the last five decades. Even though what we now consider to be social justice has been a part of Jesuit life since the order’s founding, this paper primarily considers the period 1974–present, so as to coincide with GC 32 (1974–75). Social justice has taken many forms, based both on geography and personal interests of the particular Jesuit in question. The broad term covers issues such as the Jesuit Refugee Service, the Plowshares Movement, justice in higher education, and Homeboy Industries. Finally, the paper concludes by considering two growing edges for the order regarding social justice: the role of women in Jesuit apostolates, and the ecological question.

“Imagine a Circle with No One Outside of It”

This chapter examines how Homeboys LOC members engaged in LA Voice’s style of pastoral prophetic redemption. Homeboys LOC leaders drew from relationship-based community organizing principles, such as fostering racial and religious “diversity” and giving a “voice” to those on the margins, in ways that built relationships with elected officials and partnerships with nonprofit organizations and that advanced Homeboy Industries’ mission of providing services and employment to at-risk and formerly incarcerated people. Homeboys LOC members, in turn, drew from the discourse of recovery to construct the meaning of community organizing, such as by making good through testimonies—though leaders deprivatized such testimonies in ways that advanced Homeboy Industries’ public profile more than it publicly held elected officials accountable.

Homeboy Industries: An Incubator of Hope and Businesses

This case presents the story of Homeboy Industries, which was founded by Father Greg Boyle, S.J. to offer employment opportunities to former gang members in East Los Angeles. Homeboy Industries has successfully launched several businesses to hire and train “homies” who otherwise may not have found jobs. Michael Baca, the new operations director, is faced with the decision of whether to pursue expansion of the promising merchandising division. Complicating the decision is the need to balance both the social and business objectives of Homeboy Industries while dealing with the organization's extreme shortage of managerial and financial resources. This depiction of an unusual entrepreneurial environment also illustrates several organizational challenges and philosophical dilemmas that are common among social ventures.

Homeboy Industries: An Incubator of Hope and Businesses—A Note to Instructors

This case presents the story of Homeboy Industries, which was founded by Father Greg Boyle, S.J. to offer employment opportunities to former gang members in East Los Angeles. Homeboy Industries has successfully launched several businesses to hire and train “homies” who otherwise may not have found jobs. Michael Baca, the new operations director, is faced with the decision of whether to pursue expansion of the promising merchandising division. Complicating the decision is the need to balance both the social and business objectives of Homeboy Industries while dealing with the organization's extreme shortage of managerial and financial resources. This depiction of an unusual entrepreneurial environment also illustrates several organizational challenges and philosophical dilemmas that are common among social ventures.