St. Ignatius and St. Ignatius and Apostolic ServiceApostolic ServiceAd Maiorem Dei Gloriam:Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam:““For the Greater Glory of For the Greater Glory of

God”God”

Historical Context: 1491-1556Historical Context: 1491-1556

Ignatius was born in Basque country Ignatius was born in Basque country of Navarre, near the French/Spanish of Navarre, near the French/Spanish borderborder– At time of Spanish imperial At time of Spanish imperial

consolidation and consolidation and reconquistareconquistaSpanish inquisition begun in year of his birth Spanish inquisition begun in year of his birth

to root out remaining Jews and Muslimsto root out remaining Jews and Muslims

Immense mutual influence of papacy Immense mutual influence of papacy in Franco-Spanish affairsin Franco-Spanish affairs

ReconquistaReconquista

Church in CrisisChurch in Crisis

Continuing corruption inContinuing corruption inCatholic ChurchCatholic Church– Political, financial, and theological Political, financial, and theological

abusesabuses Challenges to authorityChallenges to authority

– Martin Luther, German Augustinian Martin Luther, German Augustinian monkmonk

– Ulrich Zwingli, Swiss pastor in ZurichUlrich Zwingli, Swiss pastor in Zurich– John Calvin, French humanist lawyerJohn Calvin, French humanist lawyer

Spread of Protestant ChurchesSpread of Protestant Churches

The OliveThe Olive

No words can adequately introduce No words can adequately introduce what you are about to see. Oscar-what you are about to see. Oscar-material . . .material . . .

– The Olive

A Pilgrim Seeking A Pilgrim Seeking The WayThe Way

The Life of St. Ignatius of Loyola is The Life of St. Ignatius of Loyola is not a direct path to holinessnot a direct path to holiness

Cf. St. Paul, St. Augustine, St. Francis of Cf. St. Paul, St. Augustine, St. Francis of AssisiAssisi

– Was a courtier, soldier, hermit, pilgrim, Was a courtier, soldier, hermit, pilgrim, student, counselor, correspondent, student, counselor, correspondent, administratoradministrator

Found that God can be glorified in a Found that God can be glorified in a diversity of servicediversity of service

Early Life

Inigo Lopez de Loyola was born in Azpeitia, Spain to family of petty nobility

Became page to Royal Treasurer at age 13– Accustomed to courtly life– Fell in love with a noblewoman

Known to brawl & gamble– Became a soldier

Battle of Pamplona

May 21, 1521– Struck by a cannonball

refusing to surrender the town despite the urgings of the mayor

– Recognized by enemy French troops for his honor and courage

Carried back to recuperate at his family castle Loyola

ConversionConversion ““Change of heart” = Change of heart” = metanoiametanoia Arises out of crisis experienceArises out of crisis experience

– Two strong pulls/desires to be heroicTwo strong pulls/desires to be heroic Hero in chivalric sense; hero in saintly senseHero in chivalric sense; hero in saintly sense

Ignatius rests and reads and . . .Ignatius rests and reads and . . .– Reflection on St. Ignatius's Conversion

Shrine of Our Lady of Montserrat

Ignatius makes a general confession of all the sins of his life to that point

Spends the night in silent vigil prayer

Surrenders his sword and knife on the altar before St. Mary

Trades clothes and finery with a poor man he meets there

Manresa

Small town on the Cardoner River on road to Barcelona– Intends to stop briefly; stays 10 months

Time of intense prayer and labor– Works at hospice caring for dying– Hours spent in reflection and meditation

Written notes from his experience here form the foundation of the Spiritual Exercises

The Examen

St. Ignatius develops method of short daily prayerful reflection

1. To seek and find God in all things

2. To gain the freedom to let God's will be done on earth.

The Examen traditionally has five steps:

Step 1

Recall you are in the presence of God. No matter where you are, you are a creature in the midst of creation and the Creator who called you forth is

concerned for you.

Step 2

Give thanks to God for favors received. Pause and spend a moment looking

at this day's gifts. Take stock of what you received and gave. Notice these

clues that guide living.

Step 3

Ask for awareness of the Holy Spirit's aid. Before you explore the mystery of the human heart, ask to receive the Holy Spirit so that you can look upon your actions and motives with

honesty and patience. The Spirit gives a freedom to look upon

yourself without condemnation and without complacency and thus be

open to growth.

Step 4

Now examine how you are living this day. Recalling the events of your day, explore the context of your actions. Review the

day, hour by hour, searching for the internal events of your life. Look through

the hours to see your interaction with what was before you. Ask what you were

involved in and who you were with, and review your hopes and hesitations. What

moved you to act the way you did?

Step 5

Pray words of reconciliation and resolve. Having reviewed this day of

your life, look upon yourself with compassion and see your need for

God and try to realize God's manifestations of concern for you. Express sorrow for sin, give thanks for grace, and praise God for the times you responded in ways that

allowed you to better see God's life.

Integrating the Examen in your Life

Ideally, the examen should be performed twice daily; once at midday and once at end of day– Taking notes briefly during the day of

consolations and desolations Creates a rhythm and habit of

reflective action, always seeking increasing perfection

Ignatius the Pilgrim After months in Manresa, ready for pilgrimage to After months in Manresa, ready for pilgrimage to

lands Jesus walkedlands Jesus walked– Motivated to dwell where Jesus dwelt and preach to the Motivated to dwell where Jesus dwelt and preach to the

Ottoman TurksOttoman Turks Moves from Barcelona to Rome and then VeniceMoves from Barcelona to Rome and then Venice

– Survives by begging for daily portionSurvives by begging for daily portion Arrives in Jerusalem, but cannot stayArrives in Jerusalem, but cannot stay On the ship back to Barcelona: what to do?On the ship back to Barcelona: what to do?

– Franciscan friars in charge of shrines suspicious of Franciscan friars in charge of shrines suspicious of IgnatiusIgnatius

– Growing hostility despite Ottoman tolerance of Christian Growing hostility despite Ottoman tolerance of Christian pilgrimspilgrims

“Helping Souls”

Failed in hopes to be a pilgrim, turns to Failed in hopes to be a pilgrim, turns to goal of “helping souls”goal of “helping souls”– Root of Ignatian value of Root of Ignatian value of Cura personalis = Cura personalis =

care of the individualcare of the individual Begins to teach and preach on God’s love Begins to teach and preach on God’s love

and personal relationship in Spainand personal relationship in Spain– Under suspicion by Dominican-run InquisitionUnder suspicion by Dominican-run Inquisition

Fearing Fearing alumbradosalumbrados – “enlightened ones” claiming – “enlightened ones” claiming elite status for their mystical experienceselite status for their mystical experiences

Beginning of Protestant challenges to authority in Beginning of Protestant challenges to authority in Central EuropeCentral Europe

– Needs credentials; needs to be ordainedNeeds credentials; needs to be ordained

Ignatius’s Education

To be ordained, needs university degree; to get degree, needs Latin– Studies remedial Latin in Spain– Attempts studies at University

of Alcala and University of Salamanca

Under suspicion of Inquisition for out-of-class gatherings

Moves to more liberal University of Paris to continue studies

The First Companions Struggles, begging tuition & Struggles, begging tuition &

doing the workdoing the work Two roommatesTwo roommates

– Pierre Favre (coaches him in Pierre Favre (coaches him in Latin)Latin)

– Francis Xavier (borrows money!)Francis Xavier (borrows money!) Success in sharing spirituality Success in sharing spirituality

with otherswith others– Several make the ExercisesSeveral make the Exercises

On 15 August 1534 at Montmatre, 7 take vows– Alfonso Salmeron, Diego Lainez,

Nichols Bobadillo, Simon Rodrigues with the 3 roommates

The Society of Jesus

The Seven intend to go to Jerusalem, but war with Turks prevents them

– Stay over a year, working in hospitals and seeking ordination

– Finally decide to go to Rome to seek approval of the Pope for community

La Storta – on the road to Rome in 1537, Ignatius has a vision– Was told:

1. I will be propitious to you in Rome2. I will unite you to the way of my Son

Account of Vision at La Storta

The Trinity appeared to him. The Father said to his Son, “It is my

will that you take this man as your

companion.” Jesus, bearing his cross,

then said to Ignatius, “It is my will that you

serve us.”

Society of Jesus (cont.) Pope Paul III approved

their petition on 27 September 1540, in Rome with a papal bull.– Took a vow of obedience to

pope to serve in place of greatest need

Although reluctant, Ignatius accepts his election as first Father-General of the order– Writes consitutions, letters

Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam

Ignatius remains in Rome Dies in 1556 after protracted illness Canonized a saint in 17th century with

Francis Xavier– Jesuits remain one of the most

influential and largest religious orders