Sign of the Cross
Introduction
Welcome, everyone, to our evening prayer service on the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Ignatius, also known as Iñigo, was born in the Basque country of Spain in 1491. Just a year later Christopher Columbus found America. Initially Inigo worked in the treasury of the palace of Castilla in Spain but the situation made him to fight as a soldier and his life took a profound turn at the age of 30 when he was terribly wounded in the battle of Pamplona against the French. During his long recovery, he read about the life of Christ by Hugo Kartusian and the life of saints by Ludolph of Saxony, which led him to realize his true calling: to devote himself entirely to God and not to work of earthly kings but to the heavenly King.
With the same dedication he had shown in his treasury and military career, Ignatius embarked on a spiritual journey. He spent a year in retreat in the caves of Manresa and seeking spiritual guidance at the monastery at Montserrat in Spain, which made him to embark on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Jerusalem.
Back in the home country, Ignatius was a nothing but a restless soul to share his spiritual experiences with others as a layman. His intense zeal and passion raised suspicions among the Spanish Church authorities, resulting in multiple interrogations and imprisonments. This landed Ignatius not on a pulpit of a church but in the prisons of Inquisition. Having spent 42 days in the prison, he quickly understood that the mantle of a priest will fix this issue with Church authorities. This made him to study theology beginning with Latin at the age of 36!
In 1528, Ignatius moved to Paris to continue his studies. Six years later, in 1534, he and six companions including St Francis Xavier, St Peter Faber and others devoted themselves under the leadership of Ignatius at the service of God and His Church.
It was soon suggested that they form a regular religious order, leading to the establishment of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) in 1540, with Ignatius serving as the first Superior General until his death in 1556. The Jesuits quickly took on the challenge of the Reformation, a difficult task given the weakened state of the Church at the time with Martin Luther, John Calvin, Ulrich Zwingli, and King Henry the VIII taking the Church into different directions. Ignatius emphasized approaching this mission “without hard words or contempt for people’s errors.”
The charisma of St Ignatius of Loyola still continues to inspire today the 14,000 Jesuits world over serving 105 countries and thousands of collaborators and millions of beneficiaries through their educational, pastoral, spiritual, social, health and media apostolates. We are, indeed, glad to have with us today dear fathers, sisters and brothers today. We pray that St Ignatius of Loyola may continue to bless us, inspire us to have a heart larger than the world to do everything for God’s greater glory.
Hymn – Deera Yoda
Reading from the Scripture
Now let us listen to a Gospel passage taken from Matthew 16: 24:26
“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”
Reading from the Autobiography of St Ignatius of Loyola – Fr Ashwin
Ignatius was known for his ability to inspire friendship and was blessed with deep spiritual insight. Shortly after his conversion, he wrote the Spiritual Exercises, a structured retreat program that guides participants through a journey of spiritual growth. This program has been followed by many, both Catholics and non-Catholics, ever since.
Let’s listen to a short description about the clarity that St Ignatius received in his early stages of his life as pilgrim at the river Cardoner in Manresa. This excerpt is taken from the autobiography of St Ignatius as he had dictated to Gonzales de Camara in 1554.
“One day he went to the Church of St. Paul, situated about a mile from Manresa. Near the road is a stream, on the bank of which he sat, and gazed at the deep waters flowing by. While seated there, the eyes of his soul were opened. He did not have any special vision, but his mind was enlightened on many subjects, spiritual and intellectual. So clear was this knowledge that from that day everything appeared to him in a new light. Such was the abundance of this light in his mind that all the divine helps received, and all the knowledge acquired up to his sixty-second year, were not equal to it.
From that day he seemed to be quite another man, and possessed of a new intellect. This illumination lasted a long time. While kneeling in thanksgiving for this grace, there appeared to him that object which he had often seen before, but had never understood. It seemed to be something most beautiful, and, as it were, gleaming with many eyes. This is how it always appeared. There was a cross near which he was praying, and he noticed that near the cross the vision had lost some of its former beautiful color. He understood from this that the apparition was the work of the devil, and whenever the vision appeared to him after that, as it did several times, he dispelled it with his staff.”
Reflections – Olvin
St. Ignatius of Loyola's experience at the Church of St. Paul marked a profound turning point in his spiritual journey. As he sat by the stream near Manresa, he experienced a deep enlightenment, gaining clarity on both spiritual and intellectual matters. This moment was transformative; from that day forward, everything seemed to him in a new light. This newfound understanding surpassed all the divine insights and knowledge he had received up to that point.
Ignatius described a vision he had during this time, which he initially perceived as beautiful and intriguing, likened to something gleaming with many eyes. However, while praying near a cross, he discerned that this vision was a deception, losing its beauty in the presence of the cross. He realized that it was a temptation from the devil. This realization led him to reject the vision whenever it reappeared, using his staff as a symbol of his resistance.
This experience resonates with Jesus' words in Matthew 16:24-26, where He calls His followers to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. Ignatius' discernment and rejection of the deceptive vision reflect his commitment to this call, embracing the true light and rejecting what was false. This moment exemplifies the spiritual clarity and strength that come from true discernment and a deep connection with God.
Intercessory prayers
Response: Lord, hear our prayer
1. For the Church and Pope Francis: Heavenly Father, we pray for Pope Francis and all the leaders of the Church. Grant them wisdom and strength as they shepherd Your people, inspired by the example of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
2. For the Superior General of the Jesuits Fr Arthuro Sosa and Jesuit Leadership: Lord, bless the Superior General of the Jesuits, all Jesuit provincials, and those who govern the Society of Jesus. May they be guided by the Holy Spirit in their leadership and continue to uphold the Ignatian charism.
3. For Vocations to the Society of Jesus and Religious Life: Gracious God, we ask You to inspire men and women to answer the call to the Society of Jesus and religious life. May St. Ignatius’ example ignite a fervent desire in their hearts to serve You wholeheartedly.
4. For Jesuit Lay and Religious Collaborators: Loving Father, we pray for all Jesuit lay and religious collaborators. May they continue to work together in unity and love, spreading the Gospel and serving others in the spirit of St. Ignatius.
5. For All Gathered to Celebrate the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola: Lord, we lift up all who are gathered here to celebrate the feast of St. Ignatius. May this celebration deepen our faith and inspire us to live out the Ignatian values in our daily lives.
Concluding prayer: - Together
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the life and teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola. As we conclude our time together, may his example inspire us to seek Your will with courage and love. Guide us in our daily lives to be instruments of Your peace and joy. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hymn - Noble Knight
Angelus –
Prepared by:
Olvin Veigas, SJ
July 31, 2024
