Faith & Community

As an inclusive, Catholic, Xaverian Brothers Sponsored School, St. John’s considers faith and community as fundamental to the campus experience. Young men from all different faith traditions and backgrounds come to the Prep and grow together as servant leaders—leaders who seek to influence every situation they encounter for the benefit of others. This identity is lived out on our campus moment to moment—as the Xaverian Brothers put it, “in the common, ordinary, unspectacular flow of everyday life.”

Founded by Theodore Ryken in 1839, the Xaverian Brothers are a community of consecrated laymen who dedicate themselves to forwarding the mission of the Roman Catholic Church. The congregation founded 13 schools in the United States, St. John’s being their second. By embracing the Xaverian Brothers' spiritual values of humility, compassion, simplicity, trust, and zeal, students are encouraged to live lives of faith and service to others.

All students in grades 6 through 12 take religious studies courses in each of their years at the Prep. Classes explore topics like social action, global religions, ethics, the intersection of science and religion, as well as traditional Catholic theology. Grounded in critical thinking and personal reflection, our religious studies curriculum provides a theological foundation to better inform each student’s personal faith experience. 

There are a variety of ways students can put their faith into action. After-school service opportunities, local and international retreats, and faith-based leadership roles are all available (but not required) through campus ministry. On special occasions throughout the school year, our campus community will gather for prayer services which include interfaith services and liturgies. Each event is an opportunity for students of all faith traditions to reflect on their own spiritual journey and the call to servant leadership.