With all due respect to Loyola’s marketing strategists – those are some spiffy-looking sweatshirts, by the way – now is the time to start listening to the head honcho.

In his convocation address, the Rev. Kevin Wildes, S.J., university president, talked briefly about the “social justice” and “catholic humanism” sweatshirts and his desire for Loyola students, faculty and staff to apply the messages emblazoned across their chests to their everyday lives.

The problem with rallying around phrases such as “social justice,” “catholic humanism” and the ever-important “critical thinking” is that too often the phrases themselves become the focus of all the attention rather than the actions that they promote.

Wildes stated that the phrase “social justice” is treated as a self-evident truth. There is no doubt that Loyola readily promotes social justice at every juncture, but the matter of actually acting upon the ideals we promote is more of a gray area.

Do you give back to the community? When was the last time you performed some variety of community service?

How can you expect anyone to believe in your principles if you are not acting on them? That’s like preaching family values when you’re on your third marriage.

This is not to say Loyola is bereft of any acts of social justice. Groups such as LUCAP, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, University Ministry and other groups perform services for the community that can best be described as acts of social justice.

No formal information exists to refute or support whether Loyola students indeed live up to our Jesuit values, but it’s safe to say that most students could do more than what they’re doing right now.

Then again, maybe hollow phrases aren’t that bad. “Actions speak louder than words” is a good one.

It might look great on a sweatshirt.