Earlier this month, our Spes Nova chapter traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice (IFTJ), the largest annual Catholic social justice gathering in the United States. Hosted by the Ignatian Solidarity Network, the Teach-In brings together students, educators, and faith leaders to explore how Ignatian values call us to act for justice. Founded over 25 years ago in memory of the Jesuit martyrs of El Salvador, IFTJ has evolved from a small gathering under a tent at Fort Benning to a major three-day conference centered on reflection, learning, prayer, and community.
Throughout the weekend, our Fordham Spes Nova representatives, Elizabeth Rengifo-Vega (Co-President) and Alyssa Nestigen (Vice President of Sales), attended keynote talks and breakout sessions on topics such as migration, environmental justice, economic inequality, and global solidarity. Music, prayer, and moments of reflection tied each day together, reinforcing that advocacy is inseparable from Ignatian spirituality. One highlight of the event was Advocacy Day, when students met with members of Congress to discuss policies rooted in Catholic social teaching, making the Teach-In not only educational but also action-driven.
Our representatives were deeply impacted by their experience at IFTJ, where the weekend’s energy, conversations, and sense of shared missions left a lasting impression. The connections made were arguably more meaningful than the sales. Elizabeth Rengifo-Vega (Co-President) said, “The lovely thing was that everyone was open to conversation and showed genuine delight at our products.”
This year, IFTJ also offered Spes Nova a meaningful opportunity to share our mission of supporting global artisan communities. At the Exhibitor Fair, we showcased a selection of handmade products and were met with tremendous enthusiasm. We sold out of several items, including Cat Figurines, Hippo Figurines, Horseshoe Earrings, and Bamboo Candlestick Holders, all made by artisans from countries such as Colombia, India, and Kenya, raising hundreds of dollars for our artisans. To spread awareness, we distributed stickers and business cards and directed visitors to our Instagram and website.
What made the experience especially rewarding were the conversations our Fordham Spes Nova students had with other Jesuit institutions. Students from Jesuit high schools and universities across the country stopped by to share what brought them to D.C., as well as their hopes for creating positive change. Despite coming from different backgrounds, the more than 1,000 attendees were united by a desire to support those living below the poverty line. Our Fordham gear sparked countless shouts of “Go Rams!” and many visitors were excited to learn that Spes Nova itself was founded at Fordham. Several students expressed interest in starting chapters at their own schools, and other nonprofits asked about collaborating or expanding in the Northeast.
The energy around our table never slowed, especially between keynote and breakout sessions. At one point, a student ran up asking us to hold a Cat Figurine until she returned from her session, which she did promptly. Another exhibitor walked over, amazed at the crowd around our table, and remarked, “Wow, so many people want these!”
We also found small moments of reflection during the sale. After hearing keynote speaker Fr. Greg Boyle describe a world strengthened by “a circle of compassion,” we arranged our Hippo Figurines into our own playful “circle of compassion” on display.
We are grateful to Fordham’s Campus Ministry for organizing our travel and lodging, and we are proud to have represented Fordham as part of a 15-person delegation. Overall, IFTJ strengthened our commitment to solidarity and reminded us how deeply Spes Nova’s mission resonates within the larger Ignatian community.
