Maintenance and Conservation

Jesuit principles highlight the importance of caring for the Earth, and acknowledging nature as a sacred gift from God. This can be done through preserving biodiversity and honoring the divine presence in all creation. One major value instilled within Jesuit education is “Cura Personalis” or care for the whole self is the view that each person is a unique creation of God”(Xavier University). Getting involved in garden conservation is a form of self-care, supporting the body, mind, and soul of an individual. Furthermore, “Magis is Latin for more and is the idea of challenging students to go beyond what is expected, interacting with the world with empathy” (Xavier University). Maintaining gardens with sustainable practices demonstrates a commitment to excellence in preserving the beauty of God’s creation. 

The preservation of gardens in Italy has been a constant challenge. For example, “we remember the Sacred Bosco of Vicino Orsini in Bomarzo, one of the most famous gardens in the world, but now impoverished by the ugly nets which, due to the rudeness of visitors, used to climb on the statues, the owner was forced to put up.” (“si ricorda il Sacro Bosco di Vicino Orsini a Bomarzo uno dei giardini più celebri del mondo, ma imporverito orami dalle brutte reti che- per la maleducazione dei visitatori, usi ad arrampicarsi sulle statue- il proprietario e stato costretto a mettere")(Quondam, 1981). 

Santa Clara University demonstrates a commitment to the maintenance and preservation of the Italian gardens, exhibited by the care provided to the St. Clare Garden. This includes sporadic trimming to encourage blooming and enhance the aesthetic. The garden’s irrigation system also promotes efficient watering, as it utilizes pop-up sprinklers. For the gardens in Italy, “fountains and water features had, for the most part, to be built from scratch and the irrigation organization was necessary for the care of the vegetation during the less humid seasons of the year”(“Fontane e giuochi d’acqua dovevano, nella massima parte, essere realizzate ex-nuovo e l’organizzazzione irrigua era necessaria per la cura della vegetazione durante le stagioni meno umide dell’anno.”) (Quondam, 1981). The University hired John Vieira, a dedicated gardener who is very knowledgeable and familiar with the species of plants from growing up in Portugal. He oversees the upkeep of multiple campus areas, including the St. Clare Garden.