“My sisters and brothers, today, as we begin our celebration of the Ignatian Year, we are invited to ask: How might the cannonballs in our lives be shattering obstacles that stand between us and true freedom? And how might these cannonballs be showing us and our university the way of Jesus, that way that embraces humility, service, and self-sacrificing love?”
– from Father Bobby Yap SJ’s homily,
Opening Mass for Ignatian Year
From May 2021 until July 2022, the Society of Jesus celebrates an Ignatian Year. What is an Ignatian Year? May 20, 2021 marks the 500th anniversary of St. Ignatius’ conversion — that fateful day when Ignatius the soldier, struck by a cannonball, began his transformation into Ignatius the pilgrim. How might we grow in our relationship with God and our love for one another by meditating on this important moment in Ignatius’ life?
God continues to invite each of us into a deepening relationship, to ongoing conversion. We believe that by embracing this invitation, we embrace our God who calls us to act in new, bold ways that reconcile our world, bringing about justice, peace and compassion. For this Ignatian Year, we ask for the grace to see all things new in Christ.
Prayer for the Ignatian Year:
Dear Lord,
In Ignatius we witness a man whose body was broken
but whose spirit was kept strong by you.
We see in his journey a that was crooked in its ways
only to be straightened because of your grace.
We learn from him that it is never too late or impossible
for you do not give up no matter how hard we have become.
We realize through him that our efforts are futile
if they are meant to glorify ourselves rather than you.
As our plans were altered by current circumstances,
may we see that your love remains unchanging.
As we grapple with the ambiguities and anxieties,
may we hold on to the certainty of your will.
As everything external around us moves and shifts,
may our interiority be ever grounded in you.
As times reveal to us the fragility of this life,
may we turn our gaze to that eternity with you.
May Ignatius be our example.
May his way be our proceeding.
May his values be our guide.
And may his story be our inspiration.
Amen.
From: The Ateneo Office for Mission and Identity
To See All Things New by Mrs. Ammi Solmerin of the Pamplona Cluster/CLE Subject
AJHS "Canonball Experience" Reflections
Learn more about the Ignatian Year here:
Get to know St. Ignatius of Loyola
Take the quiz: How well do you know St. Iggy?
Pray with Ignatius of Loyola
Learn more about the Ignatian Year here:
Get to know St. Ignatius of Loyola
Take the quiz: How well do you know St. Iggy?
Pray with Ignatius of Loyola
