📅 22 October 2026  |  👤  Fr. Vivek Vinnarasan SJ

The word Magis gets tossed around, and I have wondered many times what it actually means. In Jesuit schools, youth groups, and institutions, people use it constantly as a rallying cry. But too often, we turn it into a buzzword without fully understanding its true heart. I think it is high time we step back, clear up the confusion, and unpack what living out the magis really looks like in our daily lives.

At its core, magis is simply the Latin word for "more" or "greater." It sits right at the heart of Jesuit spirituality, tracing back to the vision of St. Ignatius of Loyola. As Tommy Romano puts it: "At the heart of Jesuit spirituality lies the concept of magis, a Latin term meaning “more” or “greater.” This idea, though deceptively simple, holds profound implications for how individuals live, work, and engage with the world... It is not about doing more for the sake of busyness but about living with intentionality, depth, and purpose." (https://www.strakejesuit.org/news-detail?pk=972094)

Most often, we fall into a common trap all the time. Students, teachers, and friends often come burnt out because we think magis means working until you drop, saying yes to every project, or constantly running on empty. We carry this heavy guilt, assuming that if we aren't exhausted, we must not be giving enough. But that kind of endless busyness isn't inspiring—it's just draining, and it usually leads to total exhaustion rather than joy or real service.

So, if it isn't about doing everything, what is it? The truest meaning of magis comes down to seeking "the more universal good." It connects directly to the Jesuit motto, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam ("For the Greater Glory of God"). When we find ourselves at a crossroads with several good choices, magis invites us to ask which option creates the deepest, most meaningful impact. Think of it like deciding whether to give someone a fish or teach them how to fish. Giving food solves today's problem, but teaching a skill transforms a life and can uplift an entire community over time.

In other words, it is a whole process of intentional reflection rather than a checklist of tasks. As Patrick Hyland SJ helpfully explains: "Magis is a process, then, that is not so much about doing everything good, but discerning what is best in a particular context, and what is aligned most with the end for which we were created. Which of the options before you help you to better praise, reverence, and serve Christ?" (https://thejesuitpost.org/2022/04/jesuit-101-theres-more-to-magis/)

Surprisingly, choosing the magis often means stepping back and choosing the calmer, more sustainable option rather than the one that wears us out. It requires listening closely to our heart and making thoughtful, courageous decisions. When we look at our day-to-day choices, the real question isn't "What more can I cram into my schedule?" but rather "What ought I to focus on right now?" Living this way is about discovering where your unique gifts meet the needs of the world, choosing that direction with an open heart, and trusting that the depth of love you put into our actions matters infinitely more than how busy we appear.