The day began with a powerful concelebrated Mass in the Chapel, grounding the gathering in faith and shared mission. The liturgy was celebrated by Rev. Greg Ostdiek, SJ, of Loyola Academy, joined by Rev. Jack McLinden, SJ, of Christ the King Jesuit College Prep; Rev. Jean-Audrey Touloulou of St. Ignatius College Prep; and Rev. David Inczauskis, SJ, of Loyola University Chicago and the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership. Rev. Stan Czarnecki, SJ, of Loyola Academy served as the liturgical music minister, leading the community in prayer through sacred song.

In his homily, Fr. Greg invited students to reflect honestly on the cost of discipleship and solidarity. He challenged the community to recognize that thinking beyond ourselves—and truly approaching and embracing God—requires change. "If you open yourself to God today," he reflected, "you will not go back to your school the same. Even a small change matters. The transformation that comes with accepting God into your life is anything but ordinary—embrace that change." His words framed the day as not simply an event, but a moment of conversion and ongoing discernment.

Following the liturgy, participants moved to the Performing Arts Center for a keynote panel that connected faith with real-world advocacy. Introducing the conversation, Adriana Kelly of Loyola Academy reminded students of the purpose of the gathering: "This is your opportunity to deepen your awareness of the realities our migrant community members walk with every day—and to ask questions of those who witness that reality firsthand."

The keynote panel featured leaders working directly at the intersection of faith, service, and justice: Artemio Arreola, director of Community Relations for the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights; John DeCostanza, vice president for Faith & Mission at Catholic Charities of Chicago; Rev. David Inczauskis, SJ, representing the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership; and Trisha Teofilo Olave, Legal Project Manager and DOJ Accredited Representative with the National Immigrant Justice Center. Together, they offered students a deeper understanding of current challenges facing migrant communities and concrete pathways toward accompaniment, policy engagement, and service.

Throughout the discussion, panelists emphasized the inseparability of faith and action. Fr. David reflected on the Gospel call at the heart of the work, asking, "How can I claim to follow Jesus Christ and not hear the cry of those who are suffering? Faith and action are so deeply intertwined."

Olave offered a powerful witness to the long-term impact of Jesuit formation, sharing, "Jesuit education really did put me on a path of service—showing me that it is possible to work and serve others, and to do work that reflects your values." Her reflection invited students to imagine how their own formation might shape lives of purpose and justice beyond high school.

Student leadership remained at the heart of the day through a robust advocacy student panel, facilitated by the Ignatian School Network in collaboration with the Midwest Jesuit Province. Guided by Ed Nunez of St. Ignatius College Prep, the panel was led by Clarissa Aljentera, Director of Education for Justice with the Ignatian School Network, alongside Rebecca Jolloway '25, a recent Loyola Academy graduate and recipient of the Social Justice & Service Award. Students representing Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice advocacy teams and school-based social justice initiatives shared how they are responding to issues of migration and human dignity within their own communities. Their reflections underscored how Jesuit formation calls young people not only to awareness, but to sustained, courageous action.

Student reflections throughout the day reinforced the formative impact of the experience. Juan Carlos Chiwah '27 reflected on how the day broadened his understanding of migration and solidarity. "The Jesuit Day of Solidarity helped me reevaluate the role of my faith, my school, and my city in responding to migration," he said. "Listening to students from across Chicago challenged my assumptions and expanded my perspective on how these issues affect many different communities."

For student panelist Maddy Starmann '26, the gathering underscored the power of collective action and shared purpose. "It was a great opportunity to stand in solidarity with like-minded students and activists," she reflected. "When we listen, learn, speak, and grow together, we empower one another to continue the fight for justice." She added, "I'm grateful to have been part of such a large and passionate gathering of the next generation of leaders and advocates—people who are hungry for justice."

The day culminated in the "Longest Table" lunch, a facilitated dialogue experience that served as the centerpiece of the gathering’s action planning. Students engaged in meaningful conversation with educators and community partners actively involved in accompaniment and advocacy, including Loyola alumna Cynthia Mazariegos '03, an immigration attorney practicing in Chicago; Fr. Corey Brost, CSV, of Viator House, who shared insights from intergenerational migration advocacy efforts. The dialogue also included Maryanne Colter, Illinois State Coordinator for Braver Angels, as well as Tomorrow Snyder of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Center, who attended as a guest of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. These conversations invited participants to listen deeply, engage across differences, and discern how they might uniquely contribute to the work of justice within their own schools and communities.

As the day came to a close with prayer, gratitude, and a shared call to action, students were reminded that growth often begins in moments of discomfort. As Adriana Kelly noted during the day’s reflection, "Get comfortable being uncomfortable. That’s where real dialogue begins." The Jesuit Day of Service reflected what Ignatian education looks like when it is lived—students listening closely, asking hard questions, and beginning to imagine how they might respond. United by a shared mission and a desire to serve others, participants returned to their schools carrying new perspectives, deeper understanding, and a renewed commitment to press on together in faith and action.