Red Cloud Indian School was founded by members of the Society of
Jesus—the Jesuits—from the Wisconsin Province. The Jesuits were
originally founded in 1540 by Saint Ignatius Loyola. Loyola
wished that all Jesuits act in imitation of Christ at all times.
They quickly became well known as educators and scholars, and
for ministering to the poor, the sick, and the imprisoned. Their
work extended across the globe, in places like Asia, Africa, and
India. The Jesuits gained fame for several of their challenging
ideas. Foremost, it followed the law of Cura Personalis, or care
for the person, in all of its endeavors. This meant that even
poor people, foreigners, and Indigenous people were to be
treated with the dignity due to any child of God. Jesuits
focused on educating the whole person. That is, a Jesuit
education was not meant to be merely an instruction of the
intellect, but of heart, spirit, and mind together. These two
traditions—care for the person and education of the whole
person—are the cornerstones of all