At the end of the lesson, the student will be able to:
identify the character traits of M. Ignacia as a transformative agent in the society
resolve to become an agent of change in their respective community
thank God for being an instrument of change in my home, school and community
“To transform and be transformed”, this is the big mission of the Church. Change starts from oneself. To become an agent of change entails courage, resilience, empathy and flexibility. M. Ignacia’s presence quietly transformed the society of her time. She is a spiritual leader who lived constantly in the presence of God.
M. Ignacia's transforming presence was inspired by Christ’s docile and humble heart, rebelling peacefully with “bare hands”. It is her spending time praying, reading the Word of God and receiving Jesus in the Eucharist, where the Holy Spirit can be the transforming agent of change in her life and her community.
Service / Humility
Mother Ignacia dedicated her works to please God and did all out of love for Jesus. Thus, her zeal and enthusiasm never waned. She always thought of the good of the community and the people she served. (1726 Rules I.7-9,17,23,25,33, 37,40; II. 12,17,19, 21-22)
O- Openness to the Holy Spirit
P- Pondering Heart of Mary
P-Perseverance
T-Trust in God’s Loving Mercy
I- Intimacy with Christ
C- Courage and Creativity
M. Ignacia grew in her response to God in the context of her day to day life. Her OPPTIC developed in the course of her journey of faith and in her constant search for God’s will. Many insights for our contemporary times can be drawn from M. Ignacia’s responses to the challenge of her own socio-historical context. The society in which M. Ignacia lived was characterized by domination, discrimination and division. She witnessed a society that favored the ruling class, the wealthy and the powerful. Her response was based on Christ’s example of humility and service. She dreamt of harmony, equality and respect for one another. She formed a community that witnessed to Christian values and went against the social expectations of her time. The indifference of the government and Church authorities to her community was no obstacle to M. Ignacia. Her actions were all for the glory of God.
The Foundress
For some time, M. Ignacia lived in solitude. The steadfastness of her faith and her virtuous life soon bore first fruits. Some women were attracted to her way of life. The turning point happened when she was visited by her niece, Christina Gonzalez. Inspired by M. Ignacia’s exhortations, she decided to stay with her. M. Ignacia then learned about the desire of other women to join her group. She was then confronted by the choice of remaining in solitude or to form a community of Beatas.
She had to decide between her now settled solitary life and the unknown future of living with others in community. Leaving behind her accustomed existence as a recluse, M. Ignacia accepted the challenges of community life. Little did she imagine that her decision would lead to something further. She was opening a door that leads to other doors. The small community of four, became a community of nine and then thirty-three. It came to a point that M. Ignacia had to stop admitting until a larger house could be built.
M Ignacia led the community by her example of prayer and a life of virtue. her decision to live by the sweat of her face had its impact on her community life. M. Ignaica’s steadfastness and perseverance must have inspired the Beatas to remain united even in the midst of great poverty.Their experience of great poverty.
The Spiritual Leader
Being called to a vocation outside of married life, M. Ignacia in the process of discernment to follow Christ by serving God was empowered by the Holy Spirit to respond to the needs of the times. M. Ignacia followed the indicators of an empowered woman for leadership. These the confidence to face life, the ability to make decisions, the ability to change the process in society and the ability to effect change. Faced with a problem regarding the desire of her parents for her to get married , Ignacia resolved it through the consultation and following the advice to make a retreat that led to her decision to serve God by living by the sweat of her brow. Hence, she left her parents and everything except a needle and pair of scissors from home and adopted a lifestyle of prayer, penance and sacrifice. This act of M. Ignacia changed the process of society when Spanish and Chinese mestizas (sangleys) and yndias (native Filipino women) joined her to follow the path of service through retreat for women, education and dormitory work as a boarding school. Through her spiritual transformative leadership, that leadership is service and service is leadership, she made a difference in the Church and society.