The Society of Jesus, popularly known as the Jesuits, today mark the feast of their founder, Ignatius Loyola, a saint (and order) for whom I have especial affection. Besides, my daughter was kind enough to be born on this date!
There are lots of links and places to reference, but here are just two.
First, the Jesuits of Ireland have a wonderful online “prayer space” that can take you through an Ignatian-like meditation in just 10 minutes or so. This was one of the first web-based resources of its kind that I ever found years ago, and it remains one of the best.
Second, check out a post by Jesuit priest, author, and associate editor at America magazine, Father James Martin, at the America blog, “In all things.” Father Jim includes this prayer from Ignatius:
The Prayer for Generosity
Lord, teach me to be generous.
Teach me to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to ask for reward,
save that of knowing that I do your will.
AMDG
posted July 31, 2008 at 10:35 pm
As a non-Catholic I can honestly say that I have never met a Jesuit that I did not respect and few that I did not like, so happy feast day Iggy.
posted July 31, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Thanks for sharing that prayer. I can see it becoming important as I move to Cleveland in a few weekd to begin my Jesuit Volunteer Program. To labor without reward – could there be a better challenge for building our character and our community?
posted August 3, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Thanks for Ig’s prayer. I hope he who intended to defend the Churc fro us “heathen gunky” (with a nod to Saint Bill Cosby) Protestants would not mind it being said in a United Church of Christ.