The Magna Carta of Loyola
(This declaration, unanimously approved by the World Congress of Jesuit Alumni(ae) on this day July 31, 1956, during the celebration at Loyola (Spain) of the four hundredth anniversary of the death of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, will give solemn expression to the heartfelt gratitude which the Alumni(ae) feel to the Fathers of the Society of Jesus who are their former teachers. This document likewise attests to the filial devotion of the members of the World Congress to the Society of Jesus itself. No Federation will be permitted to belong to this Union without explicitly declaring its acceptance of the principles herein contained.)
The World Union of Jesuit Alumni/Old Boys respectfully requests Very Reverend Father General, in his fatherly kindness, to appoint as his Delegate to the Union an Ecclesiastical Assistant whose function it will be to supervise the plans and actions of the Union and to point out the noble ends which can and must be achieved. At no time and under no pretext should the Statutes or actions of this Union be such as to merit the disapproval of the Society of Jesus, nor should they be contrary to its principles or standards.
The guidance of an Ecclesiastical Assistant, a Delegate of Very Reverend Father General, is so vital to this international moviment that his withdrawal from it would bring about the dissolution of the World Union.
Through its legitimate representatives the World Union pledges to maintain and perpetuate among the former students a real devotion to the Fathers who have taught them and a sincere adherence to the principles which they have been taught. This Union, which owes its life to these inspiring leaders, commits itself with utmost filial devotion, in keeping with its name "Jesuit Alumni(ae)", to any and every apostolic work to which the Society of Jesus feels obligated, even though this obligation is no more than a moral one.
The Union considers it to be a special honour to demonstrate, in a very pratical way, the filial attachment of the former students to those who were their teachers, and it will cooperate in the development of all works of the Society, making it easier for the Society to undertake anything that it desires. In particular the Union will strive for ever increasing success in Jesuit educational institutions.
Finally the Union pledges itself to maintain through international contacts among the former students an ever strenghtening bond, bringing people of various nations closer together and continuing the training received in Jesuit schools for the purpose of giving to society men and women who are prepared to work for the common good.