By Rev. Fred Zagone, S.J., acting vice president for mission and ministry
The Feast of St. Ignatius will be celebrated this Wednesday, July 31. We will hear in the prayers at Mass:
“God you summon us to imitate the discipline of St. Ignatius that we may hear the voice of the Spirit with docile and trusting hearts, and you move us to conform our lives to Christ that we might imitate Him, the model of every virtue. By responding to your gifts, we may complete the journey of faith, be sustained by the support of hope and be refreshed by the strength of love.”
On this day we celebrate the life and death of St. Ignatius whose transformation shines as an example of how we are to live our lives. We are reminded of one of the most famous quotes attributed to him, “Pray as if everything depends on God. Work as if everything depends on you.”
This is a special day for us to pray and work as the community of a university established in the tradition of Ignatius. May we recognize and celebrate the gifts of God in our lives and be sustained by the love of God.
I encourage you all to take a few moments of quiet reflection this Wednesday. As “The Examen of St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises” states:
- Ask yourself what you’ve done so far today.
- Look at where you have been and what you have said.
- Reflect on your decisions and the direction in which you are moving.
- Ask what more you can do – and ask what you can do differently or better tomorrow.
- Have hope in the presence of God in your life.
- Reflect on where you want to go.
I ask of you St. Ignatius, pray for us!
Attend Mass and lunch to celebrate Feast of St. Ignatius, July 31