¶ … Magis? By any measure, life in the 21st century is characterized by excesses of all sorts. Indeed, as a result of increasingly sedentary lifestyles, obesity has reached epidemic levels in many industrialized nations. Moreover, billions of others in emerging nations such as China, Brazil and India are joining the middle class and beginning to enjoy these excesses as well and all signs indicate that these trends will continue well into the foreseeable future. In this environment, determining the importance of the concept of "magis" has assumed new importance and relevance for those of faith. From the Latin meaning "more," the concept of magis conceptualizes the goal of excelling in ways that serve to glorify God and this conceptualization is especially apparent in the Jesuit faith. In this regard, Migliazzo (2002) reports that, "In sum, the ideal of Jesuit education is the well-rounded person who is intellectually competent, open to growth, religious, loving, and committed to doing justice in generous service to the people of God" (p. 237). This Jesuit ideal is intended...

237).
Jesuit educational values also include the concept of cura personalis, or "care for the whole person" which contrasts sharply with the concept of "magis" which indicates "striving for more" (Kirby, McBride, Shuler, Birkholt, Danielson & Pawlowski, 2006). Occasionally, these conceptualizations can become mutually exclusive to some extent. For instance, Kirby and her associates note that, "Embodying cura personalis implies finding harmony between one's professional and personal/family/faith life. Yet the simultaneous value of magis and striving for excellence often translates to conflict with caring for their 'whole personhood'" (p. 87). Even the most pious adherents, then, will require a careful balance between striving for excellence pursuant to the concept of magis and the need to care for themselves and their families as exemplified by the concept of cura…