Each summer the church commemorates the life of Saint Ignatius of Loyola on his feast day in late July. In conjunction with the memorial, and as pastor of Kansas City’s Ignatian parish, I will offer a two-hour mini retreat (or introduction to Ignatian Spirituality) in the next month to any interested faith-seekers. My primary target are members of Saint Francis Xavier Parish and students or alumni of Jesuit education who want to explore or brush up on his methods of relating to God, Mary and the Saints, creation, and daily encounters. It could also be helpful for those who are simply intrigued by this unique saint’s impact upon society five hundred years after he lived.
As a point of reference, Ignatius and his companions founded the Society of Jesus in the sixteenth century, and their successors have operated Rockhurst High School and College (now University) for over a century. Likewise, the French Jesuit Father Jean-Pierre Medaille in the seventeenth century led the founding of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet who sponsor Avila University and Saint Teresa’s Academy, the oldest school in Kansas City. Father Alphonse Ratisboone, another Jesuit from France, was co-founder of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion in the nineteenth century who established Sion Upper and Lower Schools. Bishop Miege, for whom another area high school is named, was also a nineteenth century Jesuit but with a local presence during frontier days. In our metropolitan area, several other Catholic Churches were also named for Jesuits, including Aloysius Gonzaga, Robert Bellarmine, and John Lalande.
As well as exploring who Ignatius was according to his time in history, his place in Spain (later in Paris and Rome), and his personality that drew him to worldly pursuits, during the two hours, we will consider concepts he introduced like discerning spirits, simple contemplation, spiritual exercises, examen or examination of consciousness, silent retreats, and Ignatian conversation, as well as ideas like cura personalis, magis, ad majorem dei glorium, finding God in all things, being men and women with and for others, and being contemplatives in action. If time permits, we will do one of the spiritual exercises together. Here are five dates and times I can offer:
Friday, June 26, 1-3PM
Thursday, July 9, 5-7PM
Wednesday, July 15, 9-11AM
Friday, July 17, 1-3PM
Wednesday, July 22, 5-7PM.
We’ll follow the first-come-first-serve system. To reserve a spot on your preferred date, contact me at frdon@stjkc.org. After you do, I’ll send more information to your personal email address. Many people are amazed how a philosophy of life conceived in the 1500s on a different continent can be so relevant for us in America today. Discovering Ignatian Spirituality invites us to learn more about ourselves and our existential purpose. Let’s soul search it together this summer!