Jesuit Education
As Jesuit educators...We believe that it’s not simply what we learn and achieve but who we become. Going beyond ourselves and living a life for God is at the root of Jesuit education. In his seminal work, The Spiritual Exercises, Jesuit founder St. Ignatius says that love needs to express itself in deeds more than words. The challenge is not just to become spiritually adept but true companions to those in need. This commitment to care for the person (cura personalis) makes our students “Men and Women for others.”
Jesuit Values
Latin is far from dead at Prep. Our Jesuit tradition expresses many of its values in this third century language. It is these values that are woven into everything we do at Prep — from the classroom and field, to the theatre and greater community.
We like to say we form transformational leaders: leaders whose faith in God inspires them to be persons for and with others. Our world needs this now more than ever.Fr. Simon Zachary S.J.
A Vocation
Vocations take many forms. If you think you are interested in religious life as a Jesuit, read more here.
Fr. Simon
Fr. Simon Zachary, S.J. is a theology and AP Economics teacher at Seattle Prep as well as the school Chaplain and a Community Minister.
An alumnus of Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix, AZ, Simon earned a BA in business administration from Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA. Simon worked in Microsoft’s online advertising division for six years after graduation, in various account management roles.
Feeling a stronger calling, Simon entered the Society of Jesus in 2013. As a novice he worked at a juvenile hall facility, served as a hospital chaplain and accompanied students on high school retreats. He studied international political economy and philosophy at Fordham University in the Bronx, NY, where he taught English as a second language to migrants and refugees. Simon earned his Master of Divinity at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, CA and studied at Centre Sèvres, a Jesuit theologate in Paris. Simon was ordained a transitional deacon in October 2022.
Jesuit Schools - Worldwide
Who Was St. Ignatius?
St. Ignatius of Loyola was born in 1491 in the Basque region of northern Spain. He was a dedicated soldier and suffered a severe leg wound in battle. During an extensive rehabilitation period, he experienced a profound spiritual conversion, and devoted the rest of his life to serving God. Ignatius died in 1556 and was canonized a saint in 1622. At the time of Ignatius' death, there were 35 schools that had been founded by the Jesuits. Today that number is 2,300.
Ignatius left behind two great legacies. He founded the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) in 1540, together with nine companions, and became their first Superior General. He also wrote the Spiritual Exercises, a highly influential treatise on prayer.
Adult Faith Formation
There are a variety of opportunities for the adults in the Prep community (faculty, staff, parents and alumni) to engage in faith formation and immerse themselves in the tradition and practices of Jesuit, Catholic spirituality.
