Footsteps of Leaders

Jesuit Teachers Bryan Bairnsfather & Jon Orillion's Pilgrimage to Europe

One of the hallmarks of a Jesuit education at Carrollton & Banks is a perennial emphasis on the connection among academic disciplines. Blue Jays are taught that the truths that they discover in biology class are intimately linked with the beauty hidden in an equation that they learn in geometry class. In support of this educational philosophy, in 2021 an anonymous benefactor made a generous gift to start the Athanasius Kircher Fund, which is designated for supporting Jesuit teachers in exploring the ways in which their personal academic discipline intersects with theology and Ignatian identity.

During the 2022 summer break, two Jesuit social studies teachers had the opportunity to leverage this fund to embark on an Ignatian pilgrimage as part of the “In the Footsteps of Leaders” program, a ministry of Boston College. Jon Orillion ’01 and Bryan Bairnsfather travelled to Spain and Italy to retrace the steps of St. Ignatius of Loyola under the direction of Fr. Casey Beaumier, S.J. The group trekked over 150 miles visiting locations such as the Loyola family castle and the site of St. Ignatius’s death.

“It was one of the best moments of my life,” Bairnsfather said. “From inspiring homilies by Fr. Casey to the beauty of Spain itself, all of those experiences reminded me that I was truly there for a reason.”

“I would tell any teachers that if you have an opportunity like this one, do not hesitate,” Orillion said. “Just swan dive in.”

Their transformational experience will pay dividends not only for their own professional and spiritual development but also for the students in their charge today and for years to come. 