Scholastic Jaclay Schalliven JM John SJ shares how St Ignatius showed him the power of education in saving souls. Jaclay Schalliven JM John SJ is a Malaysian scholastic in his second year of philosophy at the Ateneo de Manila University. Currently, he is living in an international community at Loyola House of Studies, Quezon City, Philippines. This article first appeared in the Windhover Magazine of the Philippine Province and it was republished in the Jesuits in Asia Pacific eNews, the newsletter of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP).
When I think about my education, I remember my high school years when I used to spend hours reviewing my studies while listening to classical music. I recall my teachers, favourite subjects, the studies, the thrilling tests, and the fun. Back then I did not realise how important these efforts would be in the future, not only for me but for others, too. It was until I got involved in pastoral ministry that I discovered that there are people who would benefit from the learning I acquired at school.
With education to help formulate my thoughts and bring across the message of the Gospel, I experienced how my formation could be put into the service of others. I gained an enriching understanding of knowledge: that it does not come only from textbooks, but also from life experiences, like adapting to a culture, embracing failure, living a balanced life, and relating with people from different ages and backgrounds. These I did not matriculate from school.
The Grace of Humility
At this point of discovering a profound sense of what knowledge is, I encountered a new schoolmaster, St Ignatius of Loyola. He showed me how education can be a medium to help souls. It was precisely this very idea that led him to advance his education in Barcelona. He commenced formal studies at the age of 33. His classmates were way younger than him; they were between eight and fourteen years old. Despite the age gap and the awkwardness he may have felt, he was not hindered from pursuing his dream – to save souls.
It must have been a humbling experience for this once-proud courtier to study with the children. But he couldn’t care less, because he knew all along that it was a mode to rescue souls. I find it striking that Ignatius would be ready to accept humiliation in order to serve others. It teaches me to be humble and courageous. As a matter of fact, like Ignatius, I am attending lessons with younger students and there is a good chance I may be the oldest in the class. Therefore, this poignant account of what happened to Ignatius is something I treasure and can draw inspiration from in my future endeavours. I don’t have to be ashamed of being with younger classmates, for I see it as a chance for us to learn from one other.
The Grace of Prudence
However, not all good intentions will have good outcomes. I also imbibed from Ignatius how actions should be balanced with prudence. When in Barcelona, he went so far in his desire to save souls as to be subsequently imprisoned. As a consequence, he was neither able to study nor to give service to others. Truly, while completing those studies, he would gather the old and young to explain the Gospels and teach them how to pray. His well-desired ministry was not welcomed by the Spanish Inquisition, and he was imprisoned. At that time anyone who was teaching and was not ordained was suspected of spreading heresy.
Ignatius encountered other stumbling blocks that made him neglect his own studies even if his motives were good. To strictly observe the vow of poverty, he would spend time begging for alms and live an austere, penitential life, sharing lodging with the poor in the hospital and doing the chores there. As a result, he was deprived of sleep and was not able to give full concentration to his studies. While juggling all these hurdles, he continued to pray to God – as much as seven hours a day. Fortunately, he was blessed with spiritual insight that led him to grow in wisdom. After some time, he went to ask help from benefactors to support his studies, so that he could focus on his studies alone. From this experience, and by being faithful to prayer and putting his trust in God, Ignatius was led to a wiser and more prudent course of action.
The insight he gained from his own experiences, he wanted others to take as guidelines. As the Jesuit Ratio Studiorum states: “All obstacles which hinder studies must be removed; excessive distraction, devotion, and work for the neighbour must not be allowed to interfere with studies.” This saint’s example and teaching taught me to discern more prayerfully when choosing between two good things. I am drawn to a deeper trust that God will create a way through hardships. Trusting Him also means helping souls by setting a good example, hoping that others will see Christ who is working in me, as I have seen Him working in Ignatius.
A Man of Depth with a Zealous Heart
Ignatius’ over-enthusiastic character did not only mislead him into engaging too much in apostolates outside of his studies. It also inclined him to attempt to study too many subjects concurrently, including philosophy and theology. Once more, he had pure objectives; he wanted to save time and carry out his mission to save souls. But he advanced too rapidly in his studies, so much so that he came to feel that he needed to solidify his fundamentals. He eventually decided to return to the basics and found himself in class with children, for the second time, in Paris.
Again, the realisation of his misgivings was recorded in the Jesuit Ratio Studiorum and from this he came up with this insight: “It is better to learn a subject thoroughly, than to try to grasp too many things at once and learn little of each or without understanding them well.” I often experienced this need for a greater deepening of my faith. I found myself struggling with esoteric issues, skimming through information from the internet just to answer questions raised by others. I empathise with Ignatius’ desire for time to internalise and come to a better grasp of the questions of life.
His example invites me to be a man of depth, as Fr General Arturo Sosa puts it: “It is necessary to have an extraordinary intellectual depth in order to think creatively about how we can respond to Christ’s call effectively. We are not meant to be dilettantes, but men deeply grounded in the spiritual life, in learning and, especially, in our relationship with Christ.” This solid foundation, in my opinion, can better gird my loins in preparation for the ever-changing problems to come in the future. It will make me be of better service to others and to offer myself effectively. Perhaps, depth can also mean how to give more in every aspect of my life. It is not merely a question of intellect but also involves the head and heart – intellect and feelings – the whole person. How can I be more loving, more generous, more forgiving, more prayerful, and even a better person?
From this glimpse into the life of St Ignatius of Loyola, we can gather how he deliberately took education as a means to save souls. His zealous heart ransomed many. His missionary, educational, and charitable works continue to inspire countless people to deepen their knowledge in order to bring souls closer to God.
Points for Reflection:
1. By our own efforts, how can we help souls?
2. In your own words, explain what it means to have depth in life.
3. What is striking to you about Ignatius and how will you emulate his example?
