Faith Matters - Four Gifts

This week we celebrate the feast day of our patron St Ignatius of Loyola. 

Strange as it may seem on the surface we celebrate his life on the date of this death. This Friday marks the 464th anniversary of his death and on this day each year we celebrate his life, legacy and his entry into eternal life. St Ignatius’ feast day is a reminder to us that we should reflect upon these three aspects and offer prayers in intercession for his soul.

The time in which Ignatius lived in was vastly different to the present. During his life the Church was experiencing a period of challenge and renewal. It held great political, economic power and in many ways absolute power. Ignatius’ early ministry was particularly dangerous as at the time any ‘new’ ideas or perceptions of ministry offered beyond the ordained members was viewed very suspiciously. His courage and ability to articulate what had been revealed to him along with his love of learning persuaded the religious authorities of his time that his exercises were authentic and true to the teachings of the Church. As we journey towards his feast day let us consider four of his great gifts.

God in All Things

The key insight Ignatius offers humanity is the teaching that God’s presence can be found in creation and our experiences as humans. This insight transcends the boundaries of religion and illuminates our ‘normal’ experiences. Ignatius encourages us to be observant and encounter God in the divine and the ordinary. God can be found in nature, friendships, music, chocolate: in all things.

When we become aware of the goodness, beauty and love that surround us we become aware of the complete love of God who creates all things in love so that we may find fullness of life. When we experience this joy we are drawn to reciprocate in gratitude for what our God has created and our place within creation.

Know the retreatant / learner

The fundamental basis for Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises is for the spiritual director to know the ‘retreatant’. The depth of the exercise’s and thus the relationship one develops with Jesus can only be gained through guidance of a learned and experienced spiritual director. The director can only help the retreatant if they seek to know him/her intimately.

By extension this fundamental structural component applies to Jesuit or Ignatian education. For a teacher to be called an Ignatian educator they must prioritise knowing the student more than the curriculum taught. Regardless of whether maths or religious education is being taught the person is the focus of the teacher. Helping the student become all they can be occurs in the companionship and guidance. The results achieved on a test or assignment are inconsequential if the teacher does not know the learner or have the ability to guide them and assist in their development.

Contemplatives in action

The Jesuits broke the mould for religious groups and in doing so helped the Church respond to the changes of the Reformation and respond to the new world being discovered outside of Europe. The Jesuits from their inception have been referred to as ‘contemplatives in action’, a term coined by Ignatius himself.

His vision of living a holy life ‘in the world’ revolutionised not only religious orders but the laity. His lived and mystical experiences revealed that deep faith and constant relationship with Jesus does not have to occur in the context of a cloistered life or ordination. He sent the Jesuits out in small numbers, often singularly, so that they could be close to the people and adapt swiftly to the community they worked in and their needs. In a similar way he enabled every member of the Church to live a deeply spiritual life in the ordinary.

Today we are encouraged to take time out each day to stop and review our experiences, reflect upon the good and what may be improved and then act upon these insights. In living the following day in our normal lives we are encouraged to live this insight, observe the world around us and repeat this cycle as we stop and reflect at the end of the day.

Exercises

The greatest gift Ignatius left the world are his Spiritual Exercises. His experiences at Manresa transformed him and in the exercises this transformation and ensuing holiness is offered to any person who accepts the invitation. Today the exercises are completed as Ignatius offered in his time over thirty days, with a spiritual director in a retreat centre, removed from daily life.

The exercises have also been adapted according to the amendments made by Ignatius and are often completed ‘in daily life’. Many people choose to complete the full four weeks of the exercises over an extended period but many complete the ‘First Spiritual Exercises’. These exercises are broken into four retreats that are completed with guidance in small groups and which meet over a period of weeks and complete daily ‘exercises’ between gatherings.

Regardless of the manner in which the exercises are complete the model Ignatius left enables all people to grow spiritual and experience profound and transformative encounters with our Lord. The adaptability of the exercises to the lives of those who choose to complete them and relevance to the modern world are evidence enough of Ignatius’ genius and the revealed truth he offers within them.

I encourage you to consider these four priceless gifts this week and celebrate our saint, St Ignatius of Loyola.

Yours in Christ,

Brendan Nicholls  Liturgy Coordinator