On July 27th, 2022, the Educate Magis team from Galway, Ireland was invited to celebrate the conclusion of the Ignatian Year in an anticipated, meaningful celebration of the Feast Day of St. Ignatius at the Jesuit Residence chapel. The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Rev. Fr. Murt Curry SJ, the superior of the community, and concelebrated by all other Jesuits. It was a touching homily given by Fr. Murt on the Ignatian Year theme, “Seeing all things New in Christ”. All felt the richness of Ignatian Spirituality.
In his homily, Fr. Murt talked about the Ignatian Year theme “To see all things new in Christ” given to us by Fr. Arturo Sosa, the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, and how this is an invitation to “be renewed by the Lord himself”. It is important for us to see how Ignatius saw everything new in Christ after his Pamplona experience. His experience will inspire and shape all of us if we keep the disposition like him. St. Ignatius was a visionary. He had a completely different spiritual outlook based on his own experience. He offered a new way of thinking about God. The old way held that God was mainly found in religious places and religious activities; Ignatius said that God was found in all things. The old thinking saw God as a stern lawgiver and judge; Ignatius saw him as an infinitely generous giver of gifts. The old idea saw God as elusive and remote; Ignatius said he was near at hand, energetically laboring in the world. This attitude led him to new ways of living a spiritual life. Fr. Murt explained.
During this rich reflection we were also reminded that before Ignatius, the model of holy living was a quiet life of prayer in a monastery or convent. It was something that priests and nuns did, not ordinary people. St. Ignatius and the Society of Jesus changed all that. Ignatian spirituality was for ordinary people living busy lives. It saw God as present everywhere in the world. As we celebrate the conclusion of the Ignatian Year as well as the Feast of St. Ignatius on July 31th, it is good to remember these transformational spiritual gifts of Ignatius. Ignatian Spirituality is best suitable for our times too.
After this rich spiritual reflection, the Educate Magis team was invited to join all Jesuits in the Dining Hall for a fellowship meal. It was a lovely opportunity to deepen our relationships and create new ones, interacting and sharing with one another.
This was a historical celebration where fellowship, spirituality, hope, and love were spread in the Jesuit Community in Galway. We would like to invite all members of our global community to pray and receive the blessing of this fellowship, and to continue “Seeing all things New in Christ”.
The memorable celebration of the Eucharist, the dinner, and the wonderful time we shared together will be cherished by the Educate Magis team for the times to come.
