Taken from WITH JUBILANT HEARTS, Prayers and Reflections for
the Jesuit Triple Jubilee Year 2006, by Hedwig Lewis SJ, pages 1-62.
[Guj Sahitya Prakash, 2005, Rs 75.00]
SAINT IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA
1491 – 1556
A. JUBILEE CHALLENGES
Fr Peter-Hans Kolvenbach SJ , Superior General, in his letter to Jesuits [ 6
January 2005 ] officially announced the “Triple Jubilee –2006” and provided
an outline of some aspects of the original spirituality that moved the
founding fathers and that continue to challenge the apostoli c body of the
Society today:
Saint Ignatius of Loyola
“Deo militare” – “To fight for God”
[Regimini militantis ecclesiae, 27 September 1540]
This raison d’étre of Ignatius and his first companions is summed up in all
the foundational documents. However, even if the battle for God is
omnipresent in the Constitutions, the expression “Deo militare” no longer
appears. Ignatius has moved on from the language of military adventure,
employed in the Spiritual Exercises [SE], to that of the patient labourer in th e
vineyard of the Lord. Instead of a conquest, Ignatius hopes “to bear fruit”.
But this change in language in no way changes his passion to serve God alone
in contemplation and action, in bringing together a body for God’s “greater
praise, service and glor y” [Const 693] . In order that in all – even in the
passion to serve – God alone is to be served first, Ignatius desires “that the
Divine and Supreme Majesty” deign to make use of “this least Society” [190].
In this apostolic vision it is not sufficient to fight for God, to do some work
for God, it is necessary – in order that God truly be the first served – to
return this combat to the hands of God who alone “must preserve, direct, and
carry forward in his divine service this least Society of Jesus, just a s He
alone deigned to begin it” [Const 134] . Considering how God struggles and
labours for us “in the manner of someone who works” [237] , Ignatius wishes
to insert himself into the work of God, renouncing every undertaking, choice
or preference which in the Society is not clearly an initiative of his God who
wishes to make use of the Society.
Today more than ever during its long history, the Society cannot live this
mystical vision of Ignatius unless it forms a prayerful apostolic body [C.812]
– a prayer in full active life: “the function of the rector will be first of all to
sustain the whole college by his prayer and holy desires” [Const 424] . God is
served first if in our apostolic lives we consecrate time and space to him,
because in these precise moments of prayer we recognize that it is he who
allows us to bear fruit and that it is from him that we await the apostolic
initiatives in the service of his vineyard. He is also the first served when the
apostolic body of the Society in prayerful discernment w ishes to be touched
to the heart in order that its union with God and its plans of action might be a
loving and voluntary synergy.
Ignatius reminds us that “to go forward in greater service to God” [Const 281]
we must admit that “the Society was not inst ituted by human means; and it is
not through them that it can be preserved and increased, but through the
grace of the omnipotent hand of Christ our God and Lord” [Const 812] .
Soul of Christ, be my sanctification;
Body of Christ, be my salvation;
Blood of Christ, fill all my veins;
Water from Christ’s side, wash out my stains;
Passion of Christ, my comfort be;
O good Jesus, listen to me;
In Thy wounds I fain would hide,
Ne’er to be parted from Thy side;
Guard me should the foe assail me;
Call me when my life shall fail me;
Bid me come to Thee above,
With Thy saints to sing Thy love,
World without end. Amen.
[Anima Christi, Poetic text by Cardinal Newman]
B. REFLECTIONS AND PRAYERS
Based on the life of Saint Ignatius of Loyola
[This section contains various themes on the life of St Ignatius. They have
been used, in a shorter version, at a parish novena to St Ignatius. We suggest
they could be adapted (the readings could be summarized) in preparing prayer
services for Jesuits as well as non-Jesuits, or given for private reflection.]
1. ST IGNATIUS ACCEPTS GOD’S DESIGNS
You may make your plans, but God
directs your actions. [Proverbs 16.9]
Invocation
God our Father, give us today and every day,
ears open to hear your word
minds ready to accept your truth
wills prompt to accept your challenges
and above all, hearts ready to answer to your love,
in the manner of your servant, St Ignatius.
We make our prayer through Jesus Christ...
Ignatian Insights
The story of how God touches the heart of Iñigo, as St Ignatius used to be
known for years, is as charming as it is inspiring. We know from his very
sketchy autobiography that as a young man Iñigo was a firebrand, obsessed
by lofty ideals and ambitions. He was chivalrous and passionate, blindly
seeking worldly pleasures and glory. Even a cannon ball could not knock out
his enormous ego. Iñigo himself confesses how full of vanity he w as.
After being badly wounded in the legs at the famous battle before his
conversion, he was rushed to his home -castle of Loyola. The surgeons
operated upon his leg twice. For days his leg was kept under heavy traction
and he had to endure excruciating p ain. But he took it all in his stride,
without a word of complaint.
Iñigo was now physically inactive, but his spirit was as restless as ever. His
mind wandered wild on flights of fancy. He would daydream of the heroic
deeds he would accomplish as an adve nturous knight; of how he would win
the hand of the most beautiful lady in court. Not satisfied with his own
fantasies he asked for books of gallantry so as to further ignite his
imagination.
This brings us to the ‘second Act’ of this enthralling drama. At this juncture,
God enters the scene. God looks lovingly upon this vibrant, determined,
generous young man, and knows that he has the necessary potential to
become an outstanding ‘soldier for Christ’. So God enters the heart of Iñigo
through two books: The Life of Christ, and The Lives of Saints.
These volumes fascinated Iñigo; they gave him a new perspective on life. He
began to notice that where ‘heroism’ is concerned, Jesus and the Saints, too,
had it all. Only, his was the ‘worldly’ type while theirs was ‘spiritual
motivated’. In the light of these reflections, Iñigo began to be sensitive to the
two “movements” taking place in his soul: one attracting him to personal
greatness in the service of an earthly king, the other to selfless service in the
Kingdom of Christ. After much mental struggle and emotional upheavals,
Iñigo discerned that God had different designs for his life. So it was
‘goodbye to Ego’ for him. Goodbye to world treasures and adventures.
Welcome Christ the King!
Reflection Questions
When God tries to reach out to you through events, sickness or health,
triumphs or tragedies, friends or foes, familiar or strange events... do you
recognize God’s presence, or are you indifferent, ignorant, or insensitive
to the ways of God?
Are you aware that the very talents, dreams, power, human qualities... that
God has provided you can be used for your own selfish ambitions or for
some greater good?
allow God’s proposals to over-power your own?
Intercessions
God touched the heart of Ignatius through books. God, gently but firmly,
through the mental struggles and emotional moods of Ignatius, led him to
understand God’s designs. Ignatius, on his part, became more and more
attuned to the stirrings of the Spirit, listened to God’s messages, and finally
surrendered to God’s will.
As a young man, in his early thirties, even before he would take up university
studies or enter priestly training, Iñigo offered his heart and mind e ntirely to
God. Thus his life serves as an inspiring model for ordinary people who seek
God. Let us pray, that through his intercession, we may be graced with the
same spirit of faith, openness and generosity that motivated him to seek the
greater glory of God in everything.
Your response: St Ignatius, pray for us
That I may learn to be sensitive to God speaking to me in various ways, at
various times: through events, joys and tragedies, books and people... and
understand God’s designs for me...
That I may not be blinded by my pet ideas, projects, ambitions, an d
selfish preoccupations that satisfy my vanity, but may have the courage to
give them up, through a process of discernment, if God inspires me
otherwise...
That as in your case, I may realize that the very ‘dreams’, talents,
qualities... I already possess, are good enough to do great things for
Christ, if only my heart is ready and turned Godward...
That all those who are sick and suffering may not give in to self -pity but
seek some good from their pain and disability so as to let the love of God
shine forth...
That as the members of your family “came to know from your exterior the
change that had taken place in your soul,” may our external behaviour
reflect your closeness with God...
Pray for your own intentions
Concluding prayer
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding and my entire will,
all that I have and possess.
You have given all to me:
to you, O Lord, I return it.
All is yours, dispose of it wholly
according to your will.
Give me your love and your grace
for this is sufficient for me. Amen.
2. ST IGNATIUS’ DEVOTION TO OUR LADY
Jesus said, “She is your mother” [Jn 19.27]
Invocation
Hail Mary, Virgin Mother of God,
I choose you this day to be my queen,
my patroness, and my advocate,
and I freely resolve never to leave you,
and never to say or do anything against you,
nor ever permit others to do anything against your honour.
Receive me, then, I beg of you, for your servant forever.
Help me in my every action, and abandon me not
at the hour of my death. Amen.
[St John Berchmans]
Ignatian Insights
St Ignatius had a tender devotion to Mary, the Virgin Mother of God. He
considered Mary as instrumental in his spiritual conversion at Loyola, during
his convalescence. He reveals in his autobiography h ow one night while he
was awake, he saw clearly an image of Our Lady with the holy Child Jesus.
This vision brought him tremendous joy that lasted for a considerable amount
of time.
The beauty of the vision contrasted with the ‘ugliness’ – as he viewed it then, of
his reckless past, especially in the matter of bodily pleasures. He began to feel a deep
inner urge to renew himself. After prolonged reflection he resolved to change his
lifestyle. In fact, his transformation of heart and mind was so genuine, th at
everyone in his family noticed a radical change even externally, in his
demeanour and behaviour.
In gratitude to Our Lady, therefore, after he recovered from his leg injury and
decided to leave home in the service of Christ, his first stop was at the shrine
of Our Lady of Aránzazu, where he spent a whole night in vigil. From there
he proceeded on his mule to another shrine, that of the Black Virgin on the
peaks of Montserrat. On arrival at Montserrat, he made a general confession,
after writing out the sins of his entire life; it lasted three days. On the eve of
the feast of the Annunciation, 24 March, he spent a whole night in “vigil”,
either standing or kneeling before the statue of Our Lady. He made a vow
that instead of sword and dagger, he would ta ke up spiritual arms, and fight
against evil to establish the Kingdom of Christ.
The following morning, he went as secretly as he could to the town, and
stripping off all his expensive clothing he gave them to a beggar. He dressed
himself in sackcloth, a rope round his waist, and the pilgrim’s staff in hand,
and returned to the shrine. He requested his confessor to place his sword and
dagger at the altar of Our Lady. He gifted his mule to the monastery, and left
on foot toward Manresa for a period of ‘ret reat’.
Reflection Questions
How deep and sincere is your devotion to Mary, the Mother of Jesus and our mother?
Does prayer [either to Our Lady or the Saints] bring your closer to Jesus
by inspiring you to give up your ‘sinful’ or worldly’ ways?
Like Ignatius, have you given up your “swords and daggers” and taken up
‘spiritual arms’ to fight evil and spread the good news of the Kingdom of
Christ?
Intercessions
St Ignatius’ love for and devotion to Our Lady grew deeper and deeper
through the years of his life. In the Spiritual Exercises which he composed,
he says: “If anyone wishes to imitate Our Lady in the use of his senses, he
should recommend himself to her in prayer in order that she may obtain this
grace for him from her Son and Lord” (SE 248). Let us pray that through the
intercession of St Ignatius we may obtain the grace to develop deeper
devotion to Our Lady so as to get more intimate with her Son Jesus.
Your response: St Ignatius, pray for us
That, like you, we may cultivate a simple and filial devotion to Mary, the
Mother of the Redeemer and our Mother... R/
That, like you, we may realize that we too are pilgrims on this earth, and
need the blessings of Our Lady so that we may reach the fullness of life in
her Son, Jesus Christ... R/
That, like you, we may experience a real conversion through our
devotions and feel inspired to give up all our sinful ways in order to
follow Christ more closely... R/
That, like you, who sought the intercession of the Virgin especially at
crucial moments of your life to obtain special favours from God, we too
may turn to her trustingly, invoking her blessings on our life... R/
Concluding prayer
O sweet Mother Mary,
give me a heart that is fresh and open
as the heart of a child,
and as transparent as the waters of a clear spring.
Give me a generous heart
that does not brood over
the unpleasant things it has encountered.
A magnanimous heart
that gladly gives itself.
A heart that knowing its own weakness,
understands and becomes more deeply sympathetic
towards the weaknesses of others.
A deep and grateful heart
that does not overlook small things.
Give me a heart
that is gentle and humble
and loves without expecting love in return;
that gladly leaves another’s heart
to give way to your Son.
A noble and buoyant heart
that will not become embittered by disappointments;
that because of its faults will not become ungenerous
in its sacrifices;
that will not be paralyzed by trials;
that will not be irritated by neglect;
and that will not be discouraged by indifference.
But give me a heart that in its love of Jesus
will be drawn by an irresistible current
towards the further honour and glory of Jesus Christ,
my Lord and Master. Amen.
3. ST IGNATIUS’ LIFE OF PRAYER
God, you are my God, and I long for you,
My whole body desires you [Ps 63.1]
Invocation
O Lord, my God, teach me where and how to seek you, where and how to find
you... You are my God and you are my Lord, and I have never seen you. You
have made and remade me, and you have bestowed on me all the good things
I possess, and still I do not know you... Teach me to seek you... for I cannot
seek you unless you teach me or find you unless you show yourself to me.
Let me seek you in my desire, let me desire you in my seeking. Let me find
you by loving you, let me love you when I find you. Amen.
[St
Anselm of Canterbury]
Ignatian Insights
One may imagine that prayer comes easy to the saints. But their life -stories
reveal their struggles before they reach the heights. Ignatius was all set to
begin his life as a pilgrim for the greater glory of God. He decided that it
would be fitting, at the very start, to spend some time in prayerful reflection.
So at daybreak on the Feast of the Annunciation, 25 March 1552 , dressed as a
pilgrim and a soldier of Christ, he attended Mass and received Holy
Communion with great devotion at Montserrat. Then he turned his steps to
the neighbouring town of Manresa, where he was sure he would get the quiet
that he needed. He was received in the hospital of St Lucy, the usual ab ode
for the poor in the town. Though he had planned to linger only a few days in
Manresa, he remained there for ten months.
Each morning he would assist at Mass in the cathedral, then go his rounds
begging for food, discussing spiritual matters with inte rested people, and
finally retreating to a cave to pray.
Generally, he would spend seven hours continually on his knees. He did
physical penance: he gave up meat and wine completely, and he often fasted
for seven or eight days at a stretch. The first thre e to four months in Manresa
passed off peacefully. That was merely the calm before the storm. For the
next months he experienced bitterness of soul and weariness of body. Given
his determination, he would begin his prayer well. However, just when he
reached a point of great joy in prayer, his heart would suddenly dry up, and
he would lose all interest in prayer.
To add to his miseries, an inner voice – which he eventually identified as that of the
devil – taunting him: “How will you be able to endure thi s kind of life for the
seventy years that you have yet to live?” This caused confusion and fear. To
make matters worse, he began to be tossed about by doubts regarding the
general confession he had made at Montserrat: had he omitted such a sin,
perhaps he had forgotten to mention the circumstances, or twisted that fact...
These scruples left him terribly perturbed and in a very desolate mood. Only
when his confessor convinced him of God’s unconditional love, and
commanded him not to repeat his confessed si ns did he obtain peace of soul.
In spite of all, Ignatius did not abandon prayer or penance. And so, after this
ordeal, which lasted two or three months, God abundantly rewarded the
fidelity of his servant. Ignatius was gifted with such
extraordinary pray er
that he would lose all track of time and spend hours upon hours in
communion with God. More, he was blessed with various apparitions of
Christ and Our Lady, which brought him immense consolation and
reassurance. Out of the crucible of trial, temptation and suffering, came pure
gold. Ignatius’ bitter-sweet experiences at Manresa inspired him to write the
Spiritual Exercises, which has turned millions of hearts to God ever since.
Reflection Questions
Have you had bitter-sweet experiences of God?
Have these experiences made you more fervent in maintaining contact
with God?
Do you feel you have made steady progress in matters concerning the
spiritual life?
Intercessions
Ignatius’ spiritual experiences clearly indicate that all is not smooth -sailing
for those who seek their harbour in God. Prayer can sometimes become
tasteless. Our soul can be tortured by doubts, misunderstandings, dryness
regarding spiritual matters. This is part of the “dark night of the soul”
experiences of the saints. They b ecame saints because they persevered in
prayer during these times of trial. Let us pray that through the intercession of
St Ignatius we may understand God’s mysterious working in our soul and
never give up our contact with God.
Your response: St Ignatius, pray for us
That we may have a great longing for God and seek him in regular
prayer...
That we may not feel discouraged when prayer runs dry, or we are beset
with un-spiritual doubts, temptations, and disappointments...
That we may relish God, when he favours us with his presence, and
radiate this joy to the world...
Concluding prayer
Heavenly Father, your presence fills me with joy. It is my earnest desire to
direct all my efforts, physical, mental, and emotional, during this time of
prayer, solely to your greater glory.
Father, I want you to be the centre of my being. Deepen this desire so that I
may be fully united with you, my Creator and Master, at all times and in all
places. I want to praise you and bring you honour all the days of my life.
Increase my spirit of generosity. Make me large -hearted enough to freely
offer you all that I am and have, so that you may use me in whichever way
you please, and enable me to do your holy will in all things, in a spirit of
loving service. Amen
4. ST IGNATIUS’ TRUST IN PROVIDENCE
You, Lord, are all I have, and
You give me all I need [Ps 16.5]
Invocation
My God, I do not know what must come to me today. But I am certain that
nothing can happen to me that you have not foreseen, decreed, and o rdained
from all eternity. That is sufficient for me. I adore your impenetrable and
eternal designs, to which I submit with all my heart. I desire, I accept them
all, and i unite my sacrifice to that of Jesus Christ, divine Saviour. I ask in
His name and through his infinite merits, patience in my trials, and perfect
and entire submission to all that comes to me by your good pleasure. Amen.
[St. Joseph Pignatelli]
Ignatian Insights
Iñigo was all intent to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and sp end his life
in the country of Jesus’ birth. He requested the captain of a ship to take him
on board for the love of God. The captain promised, on the one condition,
however: that Ignatius should provide himself with sufficient biscuits for the
voyage. Ignatius was upset, because he had decided he would take absolutely
nothing with him, trusting fully in God’s providence. He consulted his
confessor, who assured him that it was God’s will that he should carry the
biscuits. That eased his tension.
The day to set sail came. Ignatius sat on a bench at the port, waiting for the
order to embark. Suddenly, putting his hands into his pockets he discovered
he had six small coins – that he had collected from begging. He thought he
had given away everything. Now these. His conscience began to prick him.
Carrying those coins – however insignificant the amount – would mean
betraying his “total trust” in God. Impulsively, he dropped the coins on the
bench, in the hope that some beggar would find them, stood up and walked
deliberately towards the ship to begin his pilgrimage – with a heart free of all
worldly attachments.
Reflection Questions
How deep is your trust in God’s loving providence?
How freely do you give in to the “demands” of God?
Do you get worried and anxious when problems arise or stay peaceful,
placing yourself in God’s hands?
Intercessions
We express our level of trust in God by our attitude towards life and material
goods. Those who trust in God can handle tragedies, sufferings, death of
loved ones... in a spirit of faith and openness to God’s will. St Ignatius is an
inspiring model of total detachment to the world and complete trust in God.
Let us pray that through his intercession, we may learn to have total trust in
God.
Your response: St Ignatius, pray for us
That we may develop total trust in God in all things at all times...
That we may realize that our life on earth is but a pilgrimage to our
eternal rest in God...
That we may learn to be detached from material things by having a
spiritual outlook on life...
That we may give to the needy the excess we possess so as to feel one
with the poor...
Concluding prayer
“Be joyful always,” advised St Paul. “Pray at all times, be thankful in all
circumstances. This is what God wants f rom you in your life in union with
Jesus Christ” [ 1 Thess 5.16-18] .
Lord, we seek to continually walk in your presence and to rely on your help.
We can live without food, riches, and even health, but we cannot live without
your peace, your comfort, and your strength against the evil that threatens us.
Help us, as you did your servant St Ignatius, to pray, to put our trust in you,
to walk always in your ways. We beg this in the name of Jesus, our Lord.
Amen.
5. IGNATIUS EXPERIENCES GOD’S PROTECTION
Cast all your anxieties on God.
for he cares about you [1 Pet 5.7]
Invocation
Teach me, Lord, how to come to you.
Nothing else do I have but willingness...
How I am to reach you, I do not know.
Do inspire me, show me,
give me what I need for the journey.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
[St Augustine]
Ignatian Insights
Iñigo, together with his fellow-pilgrims, entered Jerusalem on 4 September
1523, after six months of countless troubles at sea. He immediately began his
rounds of the Holy Places devoutly and reverentially. He meditated long at
every spot sanctified by our Saviour’s presence. As would be expected, he
had several visions of Our Lord and Our Lady.
He spent about a month and a half, fully imbibing the spirit of the Holy Land,
and decided to remain there the rest of his life, to catechize the non Christians and bring them to the Faith. But God had different designs for
him.
When his fellow-pilgrims were preparing to return to Europe, Iñigo
approached the Father Guardian of the F ranciscan monastery to explain his
plan to remain in Jerusalem. He was persuaded to return because of the
danger involved in staying back. Iñigo yielded, considering it God’s will that
he leave.
There were in port three ships bound for Venice; one was a poor, wretched
craft. Some friends approached the captain of the small craft who gladly
obliged to take Iñigo without any charge. The three ships weighed anchor on
the same day and in perfect weather; but on the same evening a violent storm
came up, which threatened all with destruction. One of the bigger vessels
sunk with all on board, while the other perished miserably off the coast of
Cyprus, but the sailors managed to swim ashore. The small ship carrying
Ignatius and other pilgrims, rode the storm unhar med, and continued its
voyage to Italy.
Reflecting back on these events, Iñigo could see the hand of God guiding
him. He thanked God for giving him the gra ce to be an obedient servant. H ad
he stayed back in Jerusalem one can only imagine how his life -story would
have turned out.
Reflection Questions
Looking back at you life, does a clear pattern of God’s involvement with
you emerge?
Do you remember the significant events or people that God used to bring
you to where you are at present?
If you have regrets for any past decisions, what are you doing now to
bring God’s will for you to fulfilment?
Intercessions
St Ignatius had good intentions and holy desires in deciding to stay back in
the Holy Land. But things did not work out according to hi s plans, and he
could have been justifiably disappointed, discouraged, or frustrated. Maybe
even angry with God for not helping him out. However, being a person of
faith, he accepted his setbacks as God’s will, and looked optimistically to the
future. He found out new ways and means of serving God.
After many years, reviewing all the events of the past, he could clearly see
the caring hand of God leading him on to better paths.
Let us ask him to intercede for us that we may have the same mind that he
had towards God’s loving care.
Your response: St Ignatius, pray for us
That we may accept trials and tragedies as stepping -stones to deeper faith
in God...
That when we fail to execute our good intentions we may not feel
frustrated or get disheartened but look optimistically for alternative
measures of service to Christ...
That we may become more and more conscious of the fact that hidden
within the mysteries of life – the events and circumstances we cannot
comprehend with our human minds – is God’s caring hand...
Concluding prayer
Lead, kindly light, amid the encircling gloom,
Lead thou me on;
The night is dark, and I am far from home,
Lead thou me on.
Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.
I was not ever thus, nor prayed that thou
Shouldst lead me on,
I loved to choose and see my path; but now
Lead thou me on.
I loved the garish day, and spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will: remember not past years.
So long thy power hath blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on
O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone,
And with the morn those Angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile.
[Cardinal John Henry Newman]
6. ST IGNATIUS’ RELATIONSHIPS
WITH PEOPLE
Christ’s power working in us is able to do so much
more that we can ever ask for, or even think of [Eph 3.20]
Invocation
Mighty God, Father of all,
Compassionate God, Mother of all,
bless every person we have met, every face we have seen,
every voice we have heart, especially those most dear...
In some mysterious way, these have all fashioned my life;
all that I am, I have received. Amen.
[John M. Morris, SJ (adapted)]
Ignatian insight
St Ignatius is the founder of a great religious Ord er. However, when Iñigo
started out on his mission as a soldier of Christ, after his conversion, he had
no idea or any expectation that he would either join the priesthood or
organize a team of like-minded persons. As an ordinary layman, he had one
strong weapon: faith. He had one firm goal: to bring people to Christ; one
inspiring method: personal example; one powerful tool: his notes on prayer
and discernment, later known as Spiritual Exercises. With these, he won over
the hearts of numerous people for God.
For example, while doing his university studies in Paris, there was a Doctor
of theology whom Ignatius had been particularly anxious to gain for God.
One evening he visited the Doctor and found him playing billiards. Either to
excuse himself, or to get rid of Ignatius, the Doctor immediately began to
insist that Ignatius join him in a game. Ignatius apologized saying he neither
knew how to play, nor had he any money to wager. But the Doctor insisted
the more and would take no refusal.
Finally Ignatius said to him, “Senor, I will do as you ask; I will play, but on
this condition: if you win, I will do whatever you ask me for thirty days, and
if I win, you will do as I ask for thirty days.”
That took some of the wind out of the Doctor’s sails; but he had to agree,
because he was the one insisting. Ignatius, who never had as much as held a
billiard-cue in his life, much less played the game, played as if he had done
nothing but play billiards from the day he was born, not giving the Doctor as
much as one game. And every now and then he would say to his opponent:
“Senor Doctor, the finger pushing this cue is not Iñigo’s but God’s. He’s
playing for a big stake – you.”
The inevitable happened; the theologian did the Exercises, changed his life
and did much for the glory of God.
[Mary Purcell, The First Jesuit]
Reflection Questions
Am I aware that I lead people to God through my attitudes, behaviour,
convictions, values, kindness...?
Instead of criticizing the wrongdoings of others, do I reso rt to prayer, and
perhaps even penance, so that “sinners” (beginning with myself) are
converted?
Does my zeal for God motivate me to find ways of means of spreading
spiritual values at home, in the neighbourhood, and in my place of work?
Intercessions
Ignatius was not a fanatic; he did not pressurize people to make the Spiritual
Exercises or to give time to personal prayer, or do the kind of penances he
did. But his life-style, faith convictions and total commitment to spreading
God’s love, did attract people to him, and through him to God. He had a
saintly finesse in his approach. He was quick to see an opportunity for
leading someone to God, and exploited it to the full.
Let us pray that through his intercession we too may be “lights shining in the
world.”
Your response: St Ignatius, pray for us
That we may be conscious of the mission given us as followers of Christ,
to love one another, so that through love we will win the hearts of all for
God...
That we may learn to accept others for what th ey are, even respecting
those with hostile attitudes towards us, so that through kindness, we may
influence them to a change of heart...
That we may make conscious efforts to live our lives according to the
values of the Gospel, and thus inspire others to do the same...
Concluding prayer
Lord, make me an instrument of your grace:
where there is ignorance, let me bring inspiration;
where there is weariness, let me bring strength;
where there is ugliness, let me bring beauty,
where there is sadness, let me bring joy;
where there is fear, let me bring courage;
where there is doubt, let me bring faith;
where there is hatred, let me bring love.
Father, fill my mind with your truth,
my heart with your love,
my whole being with your spirit.
Grant me the supreme gift of forgetfulness of self in service of others, and
make your mission mine. Amen.
7. ST IGNATIUS’ SENSITIVITY AND TENDERNESS
Jesus took the children in his arms, placed his
hands on each of them, and blessed them [Mk 10.10]
Invocation
Lord, bless us with your Spirit
to bring good new to the afflicted
to bind up the broken-hearted
to proclaim liberty to captives
to comfort all who mourn
to loose the bonds of wickedness
to let the oppressed go free
to break every yoke
to share bread with the hungry
to shelter the homeless poor
to clothe the naked
and thus to walk with your Son, Jesus. Amen
[Is 58 & 61]
Ignatian Insights
Ignatius, together with his companions, served the weak, the disabled, the
poor, the marginalized. He worked in the Hospital of the Incurables in
Venice, making beds, scrubbing the floors, emptying and clearing the bed pans, and keeping the wards clean. He carried the dead to the graves he had
dug for them.
Besides, Ignatius made time to teach the Catechism to c hildren. The
catechism sessions sometimes had their distractions. Once when he was
examining a crowd of children and young people in a church. Two small
boys, brothers, had a bit of a stammer or speech impediment, and used to
pronounce their words incorrectly. One woman in the audience laughed too
much at this. Ignatius stopped the lesson, turned to her and told her that if
she laughed at those boys again he would put her up instead of them and ask
her every question, to see how much she knew. After this re buff, everyone
was quiet and attentive, and never laughed or caused disorder in the class.
There is the story of a serious -minded person and former disciple of Ignatius
who was very sick and depressed. Ignatius visited him and out of genuine
concern asked him if there was anything that he could do in order to dispel
the gloom and sadness he was experiencing. The sick man answered
dejectedly that there was no remedy for his suffering. At Ignatius’ insistence
on wanting to do anything that would bring him so me joy and relief, the sick
man said: “If you could sing a little and dance a little as they do in your
country in Vizcaya, I think this could give me some consolation and to some
extent it would dispel my depression.”
Ignatius replied, “Would that make you happy?”
“Oh, yes, very happy,” said the sick man.
Even though Ignatius, given his self -restraint, found himself in an awkward
position, he obliged the sick man indeed, and danced as requested. The sick
man was overjoyed. The depression was lifted from his heart. He began to
improve, and in a few days was completely cured.
Reflection questions
How sensitive are you to the needs of others?
To what extent will you go to make others happy?
Do you treat the sick with tender loving care?
Intercessions
Even though Ignatius practiced physical penances on himself and was a very
self-disciplined person, he was tender-hearted. He often went out of his way
for the convenience of others, and was prepared to “die to himself” – make a
fool of himself, if by doing so he could make someone happy. Let us pray
that through his intercession, we may be sens itive and caring to each and all.
Your response: St Ignatius, pray for us
That we may really seek ways and means of bringing comfort to those
who are sick or suffering...
That we may stand up for those who have physical or mental disabilities,
and give them special preference...
That we learn to accept the limitations of o thers, mindful of our own
shortcomings, and not ridicule them...
Concluding prayer
Dear Jesus, help me to spread your fragrance
everywhere I go. Flood my soul with your spirit and life.
Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly
that all my life may only be a radiance of yours.
Shine through me, and be so in me
that every soul I come in contact with
may feel your presence in my soul.
Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus!
Stay with me, and then I shall begin to shine as you shine;
so to shine as to be a light to others;
the light, O Jesus, will be all from you,
none of it will be mine;
it will be you shining on others through me.
Let me thus praise you in the way you do love best,
by shining on those around me.
Let me preach you without preaching:
not by words but by my example,
by the catching force,
the sympathetic influence of what I do;
the evident fullness of the love
my heart bears to you. Amen.
[Based on some of Newman’s ideas in Meditations and Devotions ]
8. ST IGNATIUS AND THE EUCHARIST
Jesus says: Whoever eats my flesh and drinks
my blood lives in me, and I live in him [Jn 6.56]
Invocation
Lord Jesus Christ, teach me how to love you
with my whole heart, with my whole soul,
and with my whole might (Deut 6.5).
Turn your ear to me, hear what I say,
let not my foot slip as I seek to walk in your footsteps.
Keep me as the apple of your eye,
and hide me in the shadow of your wings;
so that I may experience your love, as you come to me
and take your abode within me. Amen
Ignatian insights
Ignatius had deep devotion to the Eucharist. Right from his surrender of
himself at Montserrat, he made it a point to attend Mass daily – not a
common practice in those days. Later, after years of study, even though he
was ordained a priest together with his companions, he waited a year -and-ahalf to celebrate his First Mass so that he could prepare himself more
rigorously.
At the very time of the birth of the Society of Jesus, a movement was already
taking shape to lead devout souls to a more frequent reception of Holy
Communion. At Manresa, as we have seen, St Ignatius received Communion
every Sunday. This was something extraordinary for a layman at that time,
1523 . Writing to Sister Teresa Rejadella at Barcelona on 16 November 1543 ,
Ignatius, who knew her disposition to religious matters, permitted to her and
even recommended daily Communion, provided that she was in the state of
grace and perceived herself to be deriving spiritual profit from the practice.
In the century preceding that in which Ignatius lived, laypersons, even the
specially devout among them, did not receive Communion more than three or
four times a year. But Ignatius in two letters of February 1554 , gives clear
instructions regarding the Communion of laypeo ple outside the Society: He
says it is not good to urge men and women to daily Communion, although
this might be permitted to some who are very good and devout. A second
Communion can more easily be granted each week, over and above that of
Sunday, especially on feast- days.
It is important for us to understand the great importance and reverence
Ignatius attached to Holy Mass and Communion. For example, when he was
working on the draft for the Constitutions of the new Society he had founded,
Ignatius would say Mass daily, and lay the matter he had written out on the
altar, offering them for the Divine approval during Mass. He reveals in his
diaries that he received many visions during Mass confirming his thoughts.
That was how each point of the Constitutio ns was developed – in an
atmosphere of prayer.
After the Society was approved by the Pope, and two days after Ignatius was
elected the first General, (15 April 1541), the Fathers of the Society present in
Rome made their profession. In the church of St P aul’s Outside-the-Walls, at
the altar of the Blessed Virgin, Ignatius said Mass, and turning round before
the Communion, the Host in his hand, the General read out his own vows, and
communicated. The others in turn took their vows and received the Host. Th is
practice is still followed today when a Jesuit makes his final vows. The
Eucharist is in the focus of his final commitment.
We also learn from his diaries of Ignatius’ mystical experiences. The
celebration of Mass was for Ignatius the occasion most pro pitious for his
intimate communion with God. He said that he ought “to behave or to be like
an angel for the ministry of saying Mass.” It was mainly before and during
Mass that he was granted mystical penetrations into the essence of the
Trinity.
Once, at the altar, he was unable to start the Mass, finding it difficult to
pronounce the words “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit.” On the following day he was so overcome with tears at the
contemplation of the Trinity that he feared he would become blind in one eye
if he continued with the Mass. He speaks also of his hair standing on end and
of experiencing “a burning sensation all through his body.” [Dalmases]
After Mass Ignatius remained at prayer usually for two hours; and if the
priest in charge of the house had to disturb him then, he often found him with
his face all alight, which seemed to him something clearly heavenly and very
extraordinary.
Reflection Questions
Is the Eucharist the centre of your life?
With what depth of faith and devotion do you receive Holy Communion?
Do you live the Mass – the breaking of bread (your life) and sharing it
with others, especially the needy?
Intercessions
For Ignatius, the Eucharist was a means of immediate and intimate co ntact
with God, Christ, the Spirit. Let us pray that through his intercession, we
may increase our fervour at the celebration of the Eucharist, and experience
closeness with Christ in the reception of Holy Communion.
Your response: St Ignatius, pray for us
That we may grow in our knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of
the Eucharist...
That we may be present fully – physically, mentally, emotionally – and
participate actively in the celebration of the Eucharist...
That we may prepare our hearts to receive Holy Communion with great
devotion, and just as Christ gives his life to us, we in turn may give our
lives to others...
Closing Prayer
O Lord, I am the cold insipid water
ready to be poured into the chalice;
let me be put into the wine
like the drop of water at Mass.
Let me be flooded through
with the strength, the colour,
the splendour of your Being,
as the colourless water is flooded
with the crimson of the wine.
At the words of consecration
let me be changed,
changed by the miracle of your love
into yourself.
In the chalice of your sacrifice,
lift me to Our Father. Amen.
[ Caryll Houyselander]
9. ST IGNATIUS, THE SMILING SAINT
God loves a cheerful giver [2Cor 9.7]
Invocation
How good it is to give thanks to you, O Lord,
to proclaim your constant love every morning
and your faithfulness every night,
with music of stringed instruments
and with melody on the harp.
Your mighty deeds, O Lord, make me glad;
because of what you have done, I sing for joy. [Ps 92]
May my face always wear a smile,
may my heart dance to your music,
may my lips sing your praises,
so that I may spread joy all round me. Amen
Ignatian Insights
So much attention has been drawn to the asceticism of St Ignatius that few
people have realized that he had a lighter s ide, too. In spite of an active life –
governing the Society, serving he poor, counselling – Ignatius valued relaxation
and leisure.
It was difficult to define Ignatius’ character: it contained several seeming contradictions.
He could act on a sudden impulse yet be highly prudent. Though gentle, he could be
strong-minded and unyielding when there was opposition to be overcome. Often stern in
a paternal manner, he was referred to in Rome as the “small Spaniard who limped a little
and had such laughing eyes.”
Every now and then, after a particularly trying day, Ignatius used to send for
one of the Jesuit Brothers who was an excellent mimic and whose speciality
was the imitation of the beggars of the city. Ignatius would sit back and
enjoy the performance immensely while the Brother went through his little
act, repeating the tall tales of the mendicants, some of them blind, some
feigning blindness, their prayers – not always pious – the whining patter of children
who led them from one Roman church to another... of which the mimic did to perfection.
“Ignatius liked to see smiling faces in the house, and indeed he himself promoted the
same by every honest means,” recorded one of the fathers. Smiles and laughter seemed to
come to him as readily as tears. Even when he was severely reprimanding someone,
laughter was at hand.
Sometimes Ignatius would ask a certain Father Frusio to come and play him
some melodies on the clavichord. Ignatius’ love for music was cultivated
when he was a young lad at the court. He coul d sing and dance and play
music. He was familiar with the hymns and ballads.
Ignatius liked the Superiors to make much of festival days, organizing
entertainment programmes where all contributed their gifts and talents.
A
young Jesuit, Benito Palmio, had an enormous appetite and outsized his
community members. Ignatius often sat beside him in the dining -hall,
delighted to see his giant thrive, and, no doubt, often helping the ever -hungry
Benito to the food he himself was seldom able to eat.
Ignatius loved to hear from and about all the Jesuits scattered far and wide,
especially those in the missions. He was eager to learn what they ate, how
they slept, dressed, etc., and this down to the most minute details. Once he
was inquiring about those in the Indies . He said, “I would even like to know
how many fleas keep them awake nights!”
Reflection Questions
Do you balance work and leisure in your day-to-day life?
Do you maintain a lively spirit, a cheerful disposition that exudes
optimum – because of your confidence in God?
Do you have a healthy sense of humour?
Intercessions
Saintliness does not spell gloom; rather, it creates joy. This joy is radiated in
one’s bearing, behaviour, and one’s attitudes to life and people, as well as in
one’s relationships. Such a cheerful disposition was reflected in St Ignatius,
who though highly self-disciplined, would make it a point to spread optimism
and cheer all around. Let us pray that through his intercession, we may
increase our spirit of joy and our ability to share it with one and all.
Your response: St Ignatius, pray for us
That we may realize the need for rest and relaxation, finding time for
prayer as well as time for fun...
That we may not get addicted to recreations that diminish our values, but
cultivate hobbies and habit that enrich us...
That we may develop a strong sense of humour and make it a point to
spread joy all around us...
That we may reach out to those who need cheering up...
Closing Prayer
Gentle Mary, my Mother,
I place before you the worries,
hurts and hopes of my heart.
They shrink my soul and I feel heavy and hopeless.
Darkness closes in around me.
I reach out to you, bright Lady of Hope.
Smile on me.
Smile on my loved ones.
Your tender smile works miracles and heals,
as you did with St Ignatius.
You are my true Mother.
You show the tender mercy of God.
Smile on me, Blessed Mother,
and all will be well.
[Adapted from Catholic Doors Ministry]
C. COMMUNITY PRAYER SERVICES
This section contains themes based on different personalities from Sacred Scripture.
These evening prayers were prepared by the author for a Bible seminar for Jesuit
scholastics.
1. THE INTREPID WRESTLER
Opening prayer
“Lord, you seized me and I could not resist you.
I ran for a long time, but you followed me.
I took by-paths, but you knew them.
You overtook me. I struggled, you won.
Here I am, Lord, out of breath, no fight left in me, and I’ve said ‘yes’ almost
unwillingly.
When I stood there trembling like one defeated before his captor, your look
of love fell on me.
The die is cast, Lord, I can no longer forget you.
In a moment you seized me.
In a moment you conquered me.
My doubts were swept away,
My fears dispelled.
For I recognized you without seeing you,
I felt you without touching you,
I understood you without hearing you....
Thank you, Lord, thank you!
Why me, why did you choose me?
Joy, joy, tears of joy.”
Keep me faithful to you for ever. Amen
[Michel Quoist, Prayers of Life, pp. 110 -112]
Ignatian Insights
One of the very vivid images of the Old Testament is Jacob wrestling with a
stranger [Gen 32.22ff] . One night, as the account goes, after Jacob had sent
his large family as also all that he possessed across the river Jabbok, “he
stayed behind, alone.” Jacob was vulnerable, without anyone or anything to
protect him. “Then a man came and wrestled with him until just before
daybreak. When the man saw that he was not winning the struggle, he struck
Jacob on the hip, and it was thrown out of joint. The man said, ‘Let me go,
daylight is coming.’”
“I won’t, unless you bless me,” Jacob answered.
“What is your name?” the man asked.
“Jacob,” he answered.
The man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob. You have struggled with
God and with men, and you have won; so your name will be Israel... The sun
rose as Jacob was leaving Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip.”
And Jacob, now Israel, became the symbol of a great nation that remains so
even to this day.
If we twist the sequence of events somewhat, we will see certain significant
similarities between the above story and that of Iñigo’s conversion epi sode.
After the famous battle which left the youthful Iñigo’s leg and ego shattered,
the fight was far from finished. The spirited Iñigo had to wrestle with the
Lord!
One has to transcend the rather bland description given in his autobiography
to capture the inherent challenge: What if you should do this which St
Francis did; and this which St Dominic did? What about hero -worshipping
Christ? Searching questions such as these were pitted against the powerful
onrush of what Iñigo termed “foolish ideas, parti cularly one that had taken
such a hold on his heart that he was absorbed in thinking about it for two and
three and four hours without realizing it.”
This was on the psycho-spiritual plain. At the physical level, he had to wage
another battle – against his family and the surgeons. He wanted a second
operation so that his leg could be properly set; they insisted that was a
foolish thing to do because it would cause inhuman agony. Iñigo’s mind was
hardly on the suffering he would have to undergo; rather, it was focused on
his ‘image’, his personality: far be it from him to be a limping knight, the
laughing stock of the ladies at the court. Finally, he had his way; he
underwent a second operation at the cost of unbearable pain, and without a
word of complaint. But the limp remained – all his life!
In the meanwhile, the focus of his mind changed, and his heart took over. He
began to envision his large family, his magnificent castle and worldly
inheritance, fading in the background, across the river Urola, as he limped
his way into the Kingdom of Christ as a poor pilgrim. It was a “win -win”
conclusion. When one wrestles with God, there are no losers.
But the “match” was not quite over. Iñigo would realize later that that was
only the first bout. From then on, th ere were many more rounds to follow – at
Manresa, in Jerusalem, in Paris, in Rome... And given his fighting spirit
[after all he was a ‘soldier’ of sorts], he put up a great fight! But it always
ended in a “win-win” situation. The sun finally rose: the amb itious Iñigo,
now the “noble knight” and saintly Ignatius, completed his earthly
pilgrimage, leaving behind a blazing trail in history, stamped with his
shimmering signature: AMDG!
Reflection Questions
Am I in “arm-to-arm” contact with God... embracing, squeezing tight in
joy, clinging on in sorrow, even wrestling with doubt or desire?
How “vulnerable” have I made myself to things ‘divine’ – by a spirit of
detachment from people and possessions?
Is my life a constant “match” with spiritual preoccu pations – not giving
up the fight even when the going gets tough? What are the ‘signs’ or
‘evidence’ that I too am ‘winning’?
Intercessions
Our Holy Father Ignatius lived like a “soldier” all his life – for he never gave
up the ‘fighting spirit’ through the many battles he fought with the “devil” at
Manresa, the law in Jerusalem, the dryness of study at Paris, the betrayal of
friends, the high-handedness of Inquisitors, the opposition of Church
authorities... and his own physical ailments. In them and thr ough them all, he
sought only the greater service and glory of God. He is an outstanding model
of one who lives by the motto: Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam. Let us pray that
through his intercession we too may receive in great measure the grace to
live for the “greater glory of God” under all circumstances.
Response: St Ignatius, pray for us
“When the going gets tough, the tough get going”: that we may carry out
with grit and determination the mission entrusted to us by Christ...
“Fight without heeding the wounds”: that we may not be afraid of getting
hurt
when
we
confront
daily
injustices ,
corruption,
immorality,
agnosticism, and the forces of darkness...
“Enthusiasm” is rooted “in God” [“en-theos”]: that we may constantly
battle against apathy and lethargy, thus letting our lives overflow with
enthusiasm for the things we do, the people we meet, the circumstances
we are in...
“Here comes the dawn”: That we may always fight with hope and
optimism in our hearts, trusting fully in the strength that comes from
above, knowing that every night is followed by dawn, and the dark earth
yields to newness of life...
“Fallen soldiers need a shoulder for support”: that those of us, and our
“companions” in the Province or in the Society at large, who are giving up
the fight because of the ‘wounds’ they have received, or have “burned
out” for justifiable or unjustifiable reasons, may regain their initial
fervour...
“Heroes are emulated”: that our spirit of adventure, daring, determination,
dedication in the service of Christ, may attract young men to the Society...
Concluding Prayer
Heavenly Father, let us fight gallantly, armed with faith and a good
conscience. Let us take our share of hardships, like good soldiers of Christ
Jesus. Let us try hard to show ourselves worthy of your approval in our
proclamation of the truth, to your glory, for ever and ever. Amen. [1Tim 1.19;
2Tim 2.3,15]
2. THE INTIMATE FRIEND
Opening Prayer
O Lord my God, teach me where and how to seek you, where and how to find
you. You are my God and you are my Lord, and I have never seen you. You
have made and remade me, and you have bestowed on me all the good things
I possess, and still I do not know you. Teach me to seek you, for I cannot
seek you unless you teach me or find you unless you show yourself to me.
Let me seek you in my desire, let me desire you in my se eking. Let me find
you by loving you, let me love you when I find you. Amen.
[St Anselm]
Ignatian Insights
Moses’ ‘pilgrimage’ from “slavery” to “liberation” was entirely God -centred.
He would consult God at every step of the journey, and God w ould himself
intervene to give him directions. Moses thus enjoyed great familiarity with
Yahweh. (Exod 4.11). Their relationship grew to such an extent that “the Lord
would speak with Moses face to face, just as a man speaks with a friend.” For
Moses it was such an ‘enlightening’ experience, literally, that every time he
came out of the tent, after a close encounter with God, his face would shine
so brightly that he would have to cover it with a veil so that others could look
at him when he spoke to them. [Exod 33]
We are reminded of Moses here, because when our Pilgrim Iñigo tells his
story or when his contemporaries recall instances of his life, there is ample
evidence of his close familiarity with God. Not only did his heart burn but
even his face glowed with the impact of intimacy with God, Christ, the
Blessed Virgin. His inner light shone on his attitudes and his actions, and
became a beacon of edification and inspiration.
The memory of his first serious encounter with the divine was firmly
embedded in his heart. It was during his convalescence in Loyola: “One night
while he was awake, he saw clearly an image of Our Lady with the holy
Child Jesus. From this sight he received for a considerable time very great
consolation, and he was left with such loath ing for his whole past life, and
especially for the things of the flesh, that it seemed to him that his spirit was
rid of all the figures that had been painted on it... For this reason it may be
considered the work of God, although he did not dare to claim it nor said
more than to affirm the above. But his brother as all the rest of the household
came to know from his exterior the change that had been wrought inwardly in
his soul.” [Autoiography. 10]
Years later, after Mass it was Ignatius’ practice to rem ain at prayer usually
for two hours. It has been noted that whenever the priest in charge of the
house had to disturb him then, he often found him with his face all alight,
which seemed to him “something clearly heavenly and very extraordinary”.
At the end of his mystical diary Ignatius wrote: “Always and at every hour he
could find God when he wished.”
For Ignatius, prayer was “an application of the senses”. As he instructs in the
Spiritual Exercises, “smell and taste... the infinite fragrance and sweetne ss of
the Divinity, of the soul, and of its virtues...” [SE 124]. It has been recorded
that “When Ignatius reads the Mass and holds Christ in his hands he beholds
him just as he is in heaven and here below.”
It is to Fr Jerome Nadal, whom Ignatius appoin ted as his Vicar-General and
in whom he recognized a faithful interpreter of his mind, that we have
inherited many penetrating insights into Ignatian spirituality. Once, in a talk
on prayer, Nadal remarked: “This manner of prayer was granted to Ignatius
by a great and very special privilege; and also this further grace, that in
everything, in word and deed, he was aware of and sensitive to the presence
of God and the attraction of the supernatural. A contemplative in action, we
might call him; or to use his own pet phrase: finding God in all things.
“Now this grace and light of his heart we saw reflected in the radiance of his
countenance and in the serene confidence with which he went about his tasks.
We could not help being impressed by this, as well as i nspired, for we felt
that in some way that grace was communicated to us. Hence we believe that
this privilege which we know was granted to Father Ignatius, is also given to
the whole Society; we are confident that this gift of prayer and contemplation
are available to all of us, and we affirm that it is linked with our vocation.”
Reflection Questions
How often in my life have I experienced God’s intimacy and ‘friendly’
visitations?
Can I trace a “pattern” in my relationship with God that is like a sp iral
rising upward?
Are my attitudes, behaviour, relationships infused with a spiritual “glow”
that is easily noticed?
Intercessions
For our Holy Father Ignatius, the whole of life was prayer. He sought and
found God in specific times reserved for form al prayer, as well as every other
minute of the day. His mind and heart were so full of the love of God that it
overflowed into his demeanour and disposition. Let us pray that through his
intercession we may increase our need for God and find God in all th ings.
Response: St Ignatius, pray for us
That we may value and relish the specific times during each day that we
reserve for a “face to face” encounter with God....
That we may realize that our experience of God need not be extraordinary
in order to be significant, but can and does occur very effectively at a
deep and quiet level of our being...
That we may experience the sacredness of all things and seek and find the
face of God in them...
That we may avoid the extreme positions of either dichotomizing formal
prayer and work, or substituting work for formal prayer, but have a
balanced and integrated spirituality...
That we may let out light shine so that people may see our good works
and give glory to God...
That those of us who lack the discipline for regular prayer and examen, or
the relish for things supernatural, may once again “taste and experience”
the sweetness of God...
That our spirit of union with God, reflected in our faces and our
ministries, may inspire young men to follow in the footsteps of Christ...
Closing Prayer
Lord, each day, we your creatures seek to find someone or something that
will fill the dark, lonely abyss within our hearts, that gnawing hunger in the
pit of our stomachs, that unceasing thirst for intimacy.
We seek afar the pearl of great price, as far as the distant stars of fame,
reputation, success. We race to the moon in pursuit of undomesticated
excellence, hoping that perhaps some extraordinary achievement will bring us
peace.
We are led astray in these wanderings, deceived by romanticized beauty. A
lesson must be branded on our hearts: you are the quarry, you are the
unspeakable wisdom, and you are HERE within our souls. As frantic runners
we must stop the race, remove our shoes, embrace our nakedness and find
within ourselves that beauty which is a faint reflection of the immortal
Beauty that you are. Amen
. [R.F. Morneau, Mantras From A Poet, 11]
OR
Lord, God, almighty Father, give us an intimate knowledge of the love you
have lavished on us: how much you have done for us, how much you ha ve
given us of what you possess. You dwell in us as in a temple; you work and
labour for us in all creatures upon the face of the earth, and you desire to
give yourself to us more and more. Since you are everywhere and in
everything, loving and working for us, may we find and love and serve you in
all things. We make this through the Son in the Holy Spirit. Amen
[Author unknown]
3. THE TRUSTING PILGRIM
Opening Prayer
Father, I abandon myself into your hands. Do with me what you will.
Whatever you may do, I thank you. I am ready for all, I accept all. Let only
your will be done in me and in all creatures. I wish no more than this, O
Lord. Into your hands, Lord, I commend my soul. I offer it to you with all the
love of my heart, for I love you, Lord, and so must give myself, surrender
myself into your hands, without reserve and with boundless confidence, for
you are my Father.
[Bld Charles de Foucauld]
Ignatian Insights
The confrontation of David and Goliath yields a powerful lesson. Goliath was
a giant of a man, armed to the teeth. David, in contrast, was “just a boy,”
inexperienced in warfare. He discards the heavy battle -dress provided him,
and faces Goliath with a “shepherd’s stick... five smooth pebbles... his
catapult... and the name of the Lord Almighty.” David knocks down the
mighty Goliath off his feet and overpowers him. Thus, concludes the sacred
writer, David proved to “the whole world...that the Lord does not need
swords and spears to save his people...” [1 Sam 17].
After his conversion, Ignatius himself realized that human weapons served no
purpose in the battle against those opposed to Christ’s Kingdom. At
Montserrat, placing his sword and dagger at the altar of Our Lady, he got rid
of his courtly robes, and dressed in sack-cloth, a rope around his waist, a
pilgrim’s staff in hand, he set out as a foot -soldier of Christ.
He was advised to take at least one companion and enough provisions on his
pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He declined both, reasoning thus: “If he took a
companion, he would expect help from him when he was hungry; if he fell
down, the man would help him get up; and so also he would trust him and
feel attachment to him on this account; but he wanted to place that trust,
attachment, and expectation in God alone.” [Autobiography 35].
The captain of a ship accepted to take him on board free of charge on one
condition: that he carry sufficient biscuits for the voyage. He did so, but only
after carefully discerning that it was the will of God. Just before embarking,
when he discovered he had a few coins left over from the begging, he
immediately left them on a bench: he wanted absolutely nothing that would
betray his total trust in Providence. He was ready to face the future bare handed, free-minded and light-hearted.
Ignatius would challenge and disarm the “goliaths” of the world and of life
with the ‘armour’ of God, the ‘breastplate’ of righteousness, the ‘shield’ of
faith. [Eph 6.13,16] . One can write whole volumes on Ignatius’ courage in
confronting the mighty powers of the world that harassed him for his
teachings, persecuted him for his innovative approaches, and even sought to
thwart the growth of his popular Order.
Let us take just one example. Of the many Goliaths Ignatius had to face,
there was Pietro Carafa, co-founder of an Order – the Theatine – which
Ignatius had criticised. Carafa, even as a Cardinal, blatantly displayed his
animosity toward Ignatius. Three weeks after the death of Ignatius’ good
friend, Pope Marcellus II, Ignatius was seated at his wind ow overlooking the
garden, alongside Gonçalves da Câmara, when news was brought to him that
Cardinal Carafa had been elected Pope.
“A visible change came over his countenance and all the bones in his body
began to shake,” noted da Câmara. He immediately w ent to the chapel and
emerged after a short visit, looking as serene as if the election had turned out
according to his wish. The new Pope eventually withdrew the papal funds
that supported the Roman and German Colleges of the Jesuits, and threatened
their closure. Ignatius, who regarded these institutions as the principal means
of saving central Europe for Catholicism, not only struggled for finances to
keep them going, but even added new facilities to them. After all, he had God
on his side, and he could move mountains with this faith.
Reflection Questions
How would I rate my trust in Divine Providence? Do I experience
complete security in God, or do I seek inordinate human and material
support in life?
Are there pressures or pleasures, persons or possessions, personal
preoccupations or perspectives... that I fail to give-up in order to ‘give in’
fully to God?
What are the concrete choices that I make, day-to-day, to express my
complete confidence in God?
Intercessions
St Ignatius once confided to da Câmara: “I was thinking about what could
cause me to become melancholy, and I found there was only one thing – if the
pope were completely to disband the Society. And even in this case I think
that if I were to recollect myself in prayer for a quarter of an hour, I would
be as happy as before.” We know from history that he meant what he said.
Let us pray that through the intercession of Ignatius we may have such full
confidence in God that nothing will upset our sense of mission in life.
Response: St Ignatius, pray for us
That we may always remember that in whatever concerns the spiritual life,
our progress will be in proportion to our surrender of self -love and of our
own will and interests [SE 189] , to the love and will of God...
That we may respond with spiritual equ animity when our pet projects or
plans are threatened...
That we may not feel helpless in the face of obstacles or opposition, but
increase our awareness of God’s presence and experience the power of
divine Grace...
That we may live like ‘pilgrims’ – refrain from building comfortable
nests, but like “men on a mission”, travel light in the service of Christ...
That our attitudes and behaviour in times of tragedies may be a source of
edification for all involved...
Concluding Prayer
Only in love can I find you my God.
In love the gates of my soul spring open, allowing me to breathe a new air of
freedom and forget my own petty self.
In love my whole being streams forth out of the rigid onfines of narrowness
and anxious self-assertion, which makes me a prisoner of my own poverty
and emptiness.
In love all the powers of my soul flow out toward you,
wanting never more to return, but to lose themselves completely in you, since
by your love you are the inmost center of my heart, closer to me than I am to
myself.
But when I love you, when I manage to break out of the narrow circle of self
and leave behind the restless agony of unanswered questions;
when my blinded eyes no longer look merely from afar
and from the outside upon your unapproachable brightness,
and much more when you yourself, O Incomprehensible One, have become
through love the inmost centre of my life, then I can bury myself entirely in
you, O Mysterious God, and with myself all my questions.
[Karl
Rahner, SJ]
4. THE STARRY-EYED SPIRITUALIST
Opening Prayer
Lord, may I dream the impossible dream, with arms reaching out for the
unreachable star. May I follow that star, no matter how hopeless or far, or
how weary I become from my strivings. May I fight the unbeatable foe, may I
defend the right without question or pause, may I risk heaven for a worthy
cause. May my ceaseless striving lead me to achieving true peace of heart.
May I rest content with the knowledge that though scorned and covered with
scars, the world will be a better place for all to live freely, if I continue till
my dying day, with my last ounce of courage to reach the unreachable star.
[Paraphrase of “To dream the Impossible Dream” ,
from the movie The Man From La Mancha ]
Ignatian Insights
The Wise Men from the east in St Mathew’s Gospel [2.1-12], challenged by a
brightly shining star, had their hearts set on finding the new -born king.
Theirs was an adventure into the unknown, their only guide – the star! They
faced odds and obstacles courageously, escaped polit ics through divine
intervention, and finally reached their goal at the feet of Jesus and Mary.
During his convalescence at Loyola, Ignatius dreamed impossible dreams.
“The greatest consolation he experienced was gazing at the sky and the stars,
which he often did and for long, because he thus felt within himself a very
great impulse to serve Our Lord!” It was not an easy journey for the ‘pilgrim’
Ignatius – from Loyola, through Manresa, Jerusalem, Paris... to La Storta –
where his dream was fulfilled: “God the Father placed him with Christ his
Son” [Autobiography 11, 96].
The driving-force behind Ignatius’ pilgrimage was the motto of the “magis”.
His was a “a generous spirit ablaze with God”, always keen on going the
extra mile. The term “serve” occurs twi ce in the short paragraph that
describes his La Storta experience, and 220 times in the Constitutions. The
phrase ‘God’s praise and service’ is usually accompanied by ‘more’ and
‘greater’, and when these almost magic words are absent, they are replaced
by “as far as possible”, “in everything”, “entirely” [Manuel M. Gonzalez].
Ignatius had his sights on the farthest horizons. He was eager that the
Society’s influence should extend itself beyond the confines of Europe.
Xavier was sent to the Indies. When ne ws travelled that the Emperor of
Ethiopia was eager to bring the churches back to Roman allegiance, Ignatius
sent his men there. So, too, to Brazil... and other parts of the world, for the
greater service and praise of the Lord! “Ignatius aspired, and taug ht us to
aspire, to the greatest glory and the greatest service we can possibly render to
God. This was like the personal seal, the Ignatian trademark, and the key
with which we are able to open all the doors of his spirituality.” [J.M.Granero]
Reflection Questions
Do I have a “generous spirit ablaze with God”?
How serious am I in dreaming ‘impossible dreams’, striving to reach for
‘unreachable stars’?
How are my dreams unfolding day by day?
Intercessions
Ignatius had a strong will: the difficult or the impos sible never frightened
him. The old principle “more is greater” he had personalized, and changed its
focus as it became progressively purified. At first, “more” was honour and
renown, then it was the great deeds of the newly-converted convalescent, and
finally it became the greater glory of God. Let us pray, that through his
intercession, we may grow more and more in the service and praise of the
Lord.
Response: St Ignatius, pray for us
That all our striving may ultimately end in our being place with Christ...
That our idealism, our deep desire to grow “more” and “even more” may
be rooted in God and find concrete expressions in life...
That “our one desire and choice should be what is more conducive to the
end for which we are created”…
That we may desire to become more attached and to distinguish ourselves
in whatever concerns the service of the Eternal King and universal Lord
by making “offerings of greater value and moment” [SE 97] …
Concluding Prayer
Train us, Lord, and send us out to do the impossible, because behind the
impossible is your grace and your presence; we cannot fall into the abyss.
The future is an enigma; our journey leads us through the fog; but we want to
go on giving ourselves because you are waiting there in the night, in a
thousand human eyes brimming over with tears and hope. Amen
Espinal, S.J., tortured and assassinated, March 1980]
[Luis
D. PRAYERS FOR A NOVENA
TO ST IGNATIUS LOYOLA*
Structure for Each Day
1. Opening Prayer
Solicitous Father of my soul, whom I venerate with all my heart: I humbly
pray you, as though I had you here present before me, to commend me
earnestly and much to God our Lord, that he may grant me light clear ly to
know his most holy will, and the grace to fulfil it perfectly. And the same
petition I make to all of our Society, especially those I have known here on
earth and are now with you in heaven.
[Based on the words of St Francis Xavier to St Ignatius, in a letter written from Cochin
on 12 January 1549]
2. Reading
3. Intercessions
4. Concluding Prayer
O God, for the greater glory of your name you strengthened the Church
militant, by means of blessed Ignatius, with a new army, the Society of Jesu.
Grant to us and to all the members of this your least Society that through the
help and example of our holy Founder, we may fight on earth as good
soldiers of Christ, under the banner of the Cross, and be crowned with him in
heaven. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
_________
* Adapted and modified from Community Prayer Book, by Ignatius Echaniz, SJ, Gujarat Sahitya Prakash,
Anand, 1984.
Day 1: “Soldiers of Christ”
Reading : The Formula of the Institute
Whoever desires to serve as a soldier of God beneath the banner of the cross
in our society, which we desire to be designated by the name of Jesus, and to
serve the Lord alone and the Church, his spouse, under the Roman pontiff,
the vicar of Christ on earth, should, after a solemn vow of perpe tual chastity,
poverty and obedience, keep what follows in mind.
He is a member of a Society founded chiefly for this purpose:
to strive especially for the defence and propagation of the faith and for the
progress of souls in Christian life and doctrine , by means of public
preaching, lectures, and any other ministration whatsoever of the word of
God and further by means of the Spiritual Exercises, the education of
children and unlettered persons in Christianity and the spiritual consolation
of Christ’s faithful through hearing confessions and administering the other
sacraments.
Moreover, he should show himself ready to reconcile the estranged,
compassionately assist and serve those who are in prisons or hospitals and,
indeed, to perform any other works of charity, according to what will seem
expedient for the glory of God and the common good.
[The Formula of the Institute is the foundational document of the Society of Jesus, first
issued in 1540 and again in 1550]
Intercessions
Let us ask our Father Ignatius to help us obtain the graces he set for us in the
Spiritual Exercises, that they may become like second nature to us.
Response: St Ignatius, pray for us.
That we make ourselves indifferent to all created things and our one
desire and choice be what is more conducive to God’s greater glory, let us
pray…
For the graces of the First Week: deep knowledge of our sins, a feeling of
abhorrence for them, understanding of the disorder of our actions, and a
knowledge of the world, let us pray…
That we may not be deaf to the call of Christ, but prompt and diligent to
labour with him and follow him in suffering that we may follow him in
glory, let us pray…
For an intimate knowledge of Christ: that we may love him more deeply
and imitate him more closely, let us pray…
For the graces of the Third Week: sorrow, compassion and shame because
the Lord is going to his Passion for our sins, let us pray…
For the graces of the Fourth Week an intimate and permanent joy because
of the joy and the glory of the Risen Lord, let us pray…
For an intimate knowledge of the many blessings we have received from
God, that filled with gratitude, we may in all things love and serve the
Divine Majesty, let us pray…
Day 2: Our Mission
As the Society of Jesus, we are servants of Christ’s mission. In the thirty
years since General Congregation 31, and particularly in the twenty years
since GC 32, the Society has felt both the strength of the Crucified and Risen
Christ and its own weakness: this has been a ti me of testing for us, but also a
time of great grace. Our many faults we know and confess; our graces are
more important because they come from Christ. Some have left us to serve
the Lord in other ways of life; others, shaken by the events of this period,
have a weakened confidence in the quality of our vocation. But we have also
become, in a resilient way, a community of “friends in the Lord”, supporting
one another in the freedom which Christian love brings, deeply affected by
the deaths of our Jesuit martyrs in this period. In these years, throughout the
Society, we have been purified in the faith by which we live, and have grown
in our understanding of our central mission.
Our service, especially among the poor, has deepened our life of faith, both
individually and as a body: our faith has become more paschal, more
compassionate, more tender, more evangelical in its simplicity. [GC34-2,
Servants of Christ’s Mission, 15]
Intercessions
Let us ask our Father Ignatius to continue from heaven the watchful care he
had, while on earth, of the Society he founded.
Response: St Ignatius, pray for us
That under the banner if the Cross, it engage with full heart in the crucial
struggle of our time: the struggle for faith and that struggle for justice
which it entails, let us pray…
That our response to the new challenges of today be wholehearted,
effective, rooted both in faith and experience, let us pray…
That we be sensitive to the needs and aspirations of our age and read in
them the appeal to the Gospel, which we are called to proclaim, let us
pray…
That in the sweeping tide of secularizati on, we not only keep firmly
rooted in faith, but show that exploitation of people by people is a denial
of God, and faith the most effective agent of social change, the most
relevant factor in human life, let us pray…
That the Society may show in practic e that it is possible to have, here in
this world, a community of men based on sharing rather than greed, on a
willing openness rather than seeking after privilege, on service rather than
domination, let us pray…
Day 3: Apostolic Availability
Part VII of the Constitutions reminds us that it is our responsibility to discern
where and how best to use our resources according to our apostolic goals and
the Church’s needs. The Complementary Norms further tell us that:
All members of the Society of Jesus, even though dispersed in various local
communities and ascribed to individual provinces and regions, are inserted
directly and primarily into the single apostolic body and community of the
whole Society. It is at this level that the several apostolic decis ions and
guidelines are worked out and established, for which each one should feel
responsible. This demands of all of us a high degree of availability, and a
real apostolic mobility in the service of the universal Church [Complementary
Norms #255, par.1].
“The Jesuit vocation means living the Gospel message fully, generously,
perhaps even heroically. It is not an easy life. It is a wonderful vocation.
Everything for the greater glory of God; more is not possible.” [Pedro Arrupe
SJ]
For Jesuits, availability is of crucial importance. It means being free: free to
go wherever the need is greatest, to meet the more urgent need, to achieve the
more lasting and more universal good. It means being open, flexible,
adaptable, creative in our response to a fast -changing world. The members of
the Society have always been available in a special way to the pope. In recent
times we have been asked to give particular attention to the challenge of
atheism, the work of justice, the needs of refugees, the call to ecumenism,
and inter-religious dialogue.
[Adapted from the Vocation website of the Australian
Jesuits
<http://www.jesuit.org.au/vocation/jesuits.html>]
Intercessions
For the greater glory of God and the salvation of all, Ignatius desired that his
companions go wherever there was hope of the more universal good and
wherever the need was greatest. Let us ask him to help the Jesuits of today
accomplish this task.
Response: St Ignatius, pray for us.
That without neglecting the direct apostolate to individuals, w e be
concerned with the transformation of unjust social structures according to
the Gospel, let us pray…
That we overcome reluctance, fear or apathy to understanding the social,
economic and political problems of our locality, our country and the
international community, let us pray…
That the members of our community and province not only understand and
appreciate the particular apostolates undertaken by each other, but as
members of the same body give support and assume responsibility for
each other’s work, even to the point of suffering persecution for the sake
of justice, let us pray…
That we be ready cheerfully to pay the price for effectively preaching the
Gospel and fighting for justice, let us pray…
That the life we lead, the faith that in spires it, and our own personal
relationship with Christ be at the heart of our apostolate to promote
justice, proclaim the faith and lead others to Christ, let us pray…
Day 4: Mutual union
Anything that helps to keep the members of the Society united among
themselves and with their head will contribute significantly to stabilize the
good condition of the whole body. Hence the importance of brotherly love,
which brings minds and hearts together and is fostered by frequent contact
and exchange of news, b y a shared doctrinal position, as well as a uniform
style to the extent that this is possible. Obedience plays a key role here,
binding individuals to their local superiors, and these among themselves and
with the provincials, and all together to the Gener al, so that they stay firmly
linked by a network of dependence [Constitutions SJ 821].
Intercessions
Let us address our prayers to St Ignatius for union of minds and hearts in the
Society.
Response: St Ignatius, pray for us
That in the very wide dispersion both of men and of ministries and the
great social and cultural diversity of our world, the sons of Ignatius today
keep that union with their head and among themselves without which the
Society cannot be preserved or governed or attain the end it s eeks, let us
pray…
That our mutual union be based on the union of each and all with God in
Christ, that our companionship be based on our response to the call of the
Eternal King, let us pray…
That in the religious crisis of our day, we may regain an d deepen that
familiarity with God in both prayer and action which St Ignatius
considered
absolutely
essential
to
the
very
existence
of
our
companionship, let us pray…
That following the example of Christ and the urging of St Ignatius, we be
men of prayer to be truly contemplative in action, let us pray…
That our love of God may overflow in love of the neighbour, and first of
all of the companions of Jesus who compose our Society, that we truly be
brothers and friends in the Lord, let us pray…
Day 5: Holy Obedience
A prime requirement, indispensable for progress, is that all should practise
perfect obedience, acknowledging Christ our Lord in the superior, whoever
he be, and regarding him with affectionate reverence. Moreover, obedience
should not be just a matter of doing everything readily with due deference
and determination, and no shirking or grumbling, even when the order is
difficult or unpleasant, but one must also have an interior attitude of
acceptance, not holding on to one’s own wishes a nd views but adjusting them
entirely on to what the superior wants and thinks, in everything not involving
sin [Constitutions, 284].
This is the ideal we must aim at in the Lord, with all the resources of our
mind and heart: that holy obedience unreserved ly embraces not only our
performance, but our intention and our vision, whilst we carry out promptly,
cheerfully and without faltering, whatever is enjoined, not questioning its
justice, putting aside any contrary thought with a sort of blind assent, and n ot
excluding anything that the superior determines, unless it involves sin, as
explained [Constitutions, 547].
Intercessions
St Ignatius wanted obedience to be the distinguishing mark of his children.
Let us ask for his help, that it may not be underval ued but faithfully practiced
by all Jesuits today.
Response: St Ignatius, pray for us.
That our obedience be always an act of faith and of freedom, by which we
recognize and embrace the will of God, which alone can save us and give
us fulfilment, let us pray…
That the account of conscience, so dear to Ignatius, may be an effective
instrument of dialogue, open and sincere, let us pray...
That the contemporary stress on individual initiative may not obscure the
sense of mission essential to Ignatian obedience, but find an adequate
channel in it, let us pray…
That we keep undimmed the spirit of the Ignatian Rules for Thinking with
the Church and apply them with vigour to the conditions of our times; that
we be united to one another and to God in what remains for us the one
pillar and ground of truth, the Church of the Living God, let us pray…
That Superiors effectively discharge their responsibility to conform their
brethren in their apostolic mission and to see to it that their religious and
community life enable them to fulfil that mission with God’s grace, let us
pray…
Day 6: For Those in Formation
All should cultivate the proper motivation, not only with regard to their
religious commitment but also in the details of their lif e, which must be
unambiguously geared to serving and pleasing the good Lord for his own
sake and for the overwhelming love with which he has already blessed us,
rather than for fear of punishment or hope of rewards yet to come, though
these too can be an incentive. They should be frequently urged to seek God in
all things, transcending the attraction al all creatures, as far as possible, to
set their heart wholly on the Creator, loving him in all creatures and them all
in him, according to his own most holy and divine will [Constitutions, 288].
Intercessions
Let us recommend to our Holy Father Ignatius the training of the young
Jesuits
of
the
whole
Society,
and
province/assistancy.
Response: St Ignatius, pray for us
especially
of
those
of
our
That our formation be equal to the demands of evangelization in a world
deeply troubled by atheism and social injustice, let us pray…
That our formation may prepare witnesses and ministers of the faith,
ready to be sent into situations characterized by uncer tainty, open to
dialogue, yet firmly holding their ground, let us pray…
That in our formation we may achieve deep, personal integration of the
Christian faith through both knowledge and experience, so that we may
effectively witness to the gift of faith before unbelievers and cooperate
with God for the spiritual growth of those who believe, let us pray…
That our style of life may favour our apostolic formation, reflecting the
actual living conditions of our people, so as to better know and understand
what they seek, what they suffer, what they lack, let us pray…
For our own personal insertion into the culture of the land, that our faith
may be intelligible to our people and influence their life, let us pray…
That the richness of our spiritual lif e be the source of our apostolate, and
the apostolate in turn be the motive for study and for a deeper spiritual
life, let us pray…
Day 7: Poverty
We must cherish poverty as a sturdy bastion of our religious life, and do our
very best to preserve it intact, with the help of grace. A hostile power is bent
on undermining this bulwark that God himself set up to protect us from the
forces ranged our progress in spirit. Their tactic is to distort what founders
have so wisely established, by suggesting interp retations and adaptations that
are not at all in tune with the original ideal [Constitutions, 553].
All must cherish poverty as a mother, and occasionally experience what it
means in practice, within the limits of religious prudence [Constitutions, 287].
Intercessions
St Ignatius called poverty the wall of religion and wanted us to preach the
Gospel in poverty. May he help us to get a deeper insight into its mystery and
to imitate the self-emptying of the Son of God in the Incarnation.
Response: St Ignatius, pray for us
That we may overcome the appetite for enjoyment and consumption of
material goods gripping so many people today, and seek liberty and
happiness in simplicity of life; that our lives, our communities, our
poverty, may have a meaning and a message to the world of today, let us
pray…
That like poor men who have
to labour and toil for their living, like
Christ who submitted himself to the law of labour, we too make hard work
an essential part of our apostolic poverty, let us pray…
That we hear the cry of the pooor and have personal experience of their
miseries and distress, and effectively renounce to the security of
possession, knowledge and power, let us pray…
That by our sharing of ourselves and all we possess, our communities b e
clearly seen as communities of charity and concern for each other and all
others, let us pray…
That the efforts of our Society for a stricter practice of poverty on both
the personal and the institutional levels achieve their purpose, and all of
us be prompt and generous to put theory into practice, rules into
execution, let us pray…
Day 8: Dialogue with the World
As Jesuits we live a faith directed towards the Kingdom, through which
justice becomes a shaping reality in the world; we therefore b ring the
particular quality of that faith into dialogue with members of the religions
and cultures of our contemporary world. We have said in the decree [Servants
of Christ’s Mission] that “our mission of the service of faith and the
promotion of justice must be broadened to include, as integral dimensions,
proclamation of the Gospel, dialogue, and the evangelization of culture”; we
have
insisted
on
the
inseparability
of
justice,
dialogue,
and
the
evangelization of culture.
This is not just a pragmatic apostolic strategy; it is rooted in the mysticism
flowing from the experience of Ignatius, which directs us simultaneously
towards the mystery of God and the activity of God in his creation.
Both in our personal lives of faith and in our ministries, it is ne ver a question
of choosing either God or the world; rather, it is always God in the world,
laboring to bring it to perfection so that the world comes, finally, to be fully
in God.
“Ignatius proclaims that for human beings there is no authentic search for
God without an insertion into the life of the creation, and that, on the other
hand, all solidarity with human beings and every engagement with the created
world cannot be authentic without a discovery of God.” [GC34 – 4, Our Mission
and Culture, 85 -86]
Intercessions
St Ignatius never used the word ‘inculturation’, but the content and reality of
this term is present in both the Exercises and the Constitutions. Let us ask
him to help us accept and carry out what it means.
Response: St Ignatius, pray for us
That all Jesuits, and we in particular, accept the fundamental principle of
inculturation, which is the incarnation of the Christian message and life in
the cultural context of each one’s apostolate in order to transform it into a
new creation, let us pray…
That our inculturation be genuine and thorough, not mere show, not
content with theories, but affecting our very lifestyle, our attitudes, our
scale of values, let us pray…
That we be bold and earnest, but humble and prudent, avoid extreme
radicalisms, and always listen to the Spirit with complete docility, let us
pray…
That we allow the transforming power of the Spirit to modify our personal
life before attempting the external task of inculturation, so as to become
effective agents of a genuine inculturation of the Gospel, let us pray…
That while holding on to the particular culture we are called upon to
assimilate, we may not renounce the universality of the Christian and
Jesuit vocation, let us pray…
Day 9: Community life
If community life has its profound spiritual source in the Spirit of Christ who
gathers, it is nonetheless bound together by acts, concrete and even banal: a
word of encouragement, a sign of understanding, a welcoming smile, time
given to listening to what anothe r one has to say, a helping hand in the work
required by every community, some time given to relaxation. It is bound
together, too, by deliberately trusting ourselves to conversation that goes to
the heart of things spiritually; to sharing our interior exp eriences and our
failures; and to sharing above all our reasons for living as companions of
Jesus.
[Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, SJ, on Community Living (May
1998)]
No community life is possible, however, and no renewal can be truly fruitful
unless each Jesuit “keep before his eyes God, and the nature of this Institute
which he has embraced and which is, so to speak, a pathway to God.” His
vocation summons each Jesuit to find privileged time and space to pray with
Christ, as friend to friend, learning from t his encounter how to be a servant
of his mission.
[GC 34, “United with Christ on Mission” §11]
Intercessions
Through our Holy Father Ignatius God has given us a new family, the Society
of Jesus. Let us seek his intercession that our community life, here in this
house, be in perfect accordance with the Jesuit charism.
Response: St Ignatius, pray for us
That we may grow in the awareness that it is God’s call that has joined us
together into a community, that we are men called by Christ to live wit h
him, to be conformed to him and to carry out his work in ourselves and
among other, let us pray…
That the love of the Lord may bind us together, one to another; that in our
community we may experience the happiness of being ‘friends in the
Lord’, as Ignatius first called his companions, let us pray…
That each one of us realize that the rest of the community is entrusted to
his care, that we be pillars of strength to each other in the pursuit of
holiness and in each other’s apostolic ventures, let us pray…
That the Lord be mindful of the families we have left behind in order to
follow him, and of the benefactors who support us with their generosity,
let us pray…
Saint Ignatius’ March
Noble Knight, leader of a brave array
Lead us on, O lead us on.
We will fight ‘neath thy sway, ‘neath thy sway.
What tho’ foes gather near,
We don’t fear, we don’t fear
We’ll not shun, we’ll not quit
This our noble career
We will stand ever true to death to thee.
True to God, to Faith, and thee; true to thee.
Lead us on gallantly, ever on valiantly,
‘’Neath thy banner to fight,
for the Church and its right.
“All for God’s own Greater Glory” is our cry
– battle cry!
Not for gain, nor in vain,
is our strife in this life
But unto God, Heavenly King,
every heart we want to bring.
Growing stronger and stronger,
as fighting lasts longer
And purer and purer,
to make heaven surer
With crosses and trials,
and many denials
We’ll fight – till we die,
Ever loyal and true to our King on high:
Ignatius lead us on, till we die.