Learning to live the values of Faith & Justice through the immersion experience and all school activities derives from a foundation of daily prayer and reflection. Prayer and reflection are essential aspects in the activity of the entire school community. In the immersion program, however, the participant is encouraged to direct the intention of their prayer and reflection toward the reality of ´the other´ (the poor) as described in the Gospel and our own relationship to their suffering.
Prior to their trip, each immersion participant is encouraged to develop an understanding of the historic and daily reality of the poor and the structures that perpetuate their suffering. Thus each participant develops a better understanding how this reality came to be, and, to understand the structures that perpetuate this suffering reality today.
Each immersion participant is encouraged to build relationships of solidarity with those whom they serve through shared experiences and through direct service. It is believed that through direct experience with the poor that this experience becomes an internalized principle that results in the transformation of the individual to live as a global citizen concerned about the well being of all who suffer from disenfranchisement and marginalization. In the spirit of accompaniment the motto becomes “men and women for and with others”.
The immersion participant is encouraged to share what they have learned with the wider community, is encouraged to challenge the structures that cause poverty and marginalization, and is encouraged to change their own behavior so as not to contribute to injustice. It is hoped that, through action to change unjust structures or advocate for the poor, that the immersion participant accepts their responsibility of their own connection to their suffering.