St Ignatius and the Jesuits – Jul 31 – Homily – Fr John Lawrence

 

Fr John Lawrence gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Jul 31, 2023, on the life of St Ignatius of Loyola, who started off in the military and then had a conversion and started the Jesuits. There he developed the Spiritual Exercises with its structured discernment of spirits and spiritual warfare, which keyed off his military experience.

St. Ignatius of Loyola, born in 1491, experienced a profound conversion after a serious injury in 1521. Originally seeking a life of chivalry, his prolonged convalescence led him to read the life of Christ and saints' lives, fostering a desire to emulate their holiness. This transformation included a vision of Mary and Jesus, enabling him to leave behind his sins.

Embracing his new path, Ignatius journeyed to Montserrat and Manresa, marking his transition with intense prayer, penance, and abandoning his knightly sword. He later set out for Jerusalem, wishing to live like the saints, but was expelled by Franciscan authority for reasons that remain unclear.

Unable to remain in Jerusalem, Ignatius decided to teach others about Christ. This required a solid grounding in theology, which in turn required the study of Latin, a pursuit he began at age 30. After several years of studying Latin, philosophy, and other preparatory subjects, he moved to Paris in 1528 to complete his studies.

In Paris, Ignatius gathered a group of like-minded men and formed the Company of Jesus, approved by Pope Paul III in 1540. As General, he remained in Rome, authoring the Order's constitutions and guiding its growth. Ignatius also sent missionaries to India and Germany to counter the Protestant revolution. By the time of his death in 1556, the order boasted over 1,000 members serving as teachers, preachers, and missionaries.

Ignatius' military background influenced his spiritual writings, focusing on the struggle between good and evil. His spiritual exercises include a meditation on the standards of Christ and the devil, as well as rules for discerning spirits. In these, he describes the different tactics of the enemy and the good spirit for those in mortal sin and those striving for holiness.

In conclusion, Ignatius' teachings shed light on the devil's strategies, empowering us to resist evil. Through the example of his life and the influence of the Company of Jesus, St. Ignatius continues to inspire Christians to seek God and stand firm against temptation.

00:00 – Introduction
00:17 – Early Life and Noble Upbringing
00:53 – Life in the Court and Military Career
01:33 – Injury, Recovery, and Religious Conversion
02:27 – Pilgrimage and Educational Journey
03:33 – Founding Companions and Missions
04:23 – Establishment of the Jesuit Order
05:31 – The Legacy and Teachings of St. Ignatius

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Ignatius of Loyola - Mem
Readings: Monday 17th Week of Ordinary Time - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/073123.cfm
1st: exo 32:15-24, 30-34
Resp: psa 106:19-23
Gsp: mat 13:31-35

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1119&r=1456

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