Wednesday – 17th Week of Ordinary Time B – Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest and Founder

Today, as we celebrate the feast of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, let us take a moment to reflect on the magnificent tapestry of our faith, woven by the lives and legacies of extraordinary saints. In particular, I would like to draw our attention to two of these pivotal figures in the history of the Church: Saint Ignatius of Loyola and Saint Francis of Assisi. As this site is a Franciscan site, and seeing how our current Holy Father, Pope Francis draws inspiration from both these saints, it would be well to see how they are both revered for their transformative impacts and for founding religious orders—the Society of Jesus and the Franciscans, respectively. Yet, despite their shared devotion to Christ, they walk distinct paths that continue to inspire us today.

Historical Context and Foundational Inspirations

Saint Francis of Assisi lived in the late 12th and early 13th centuries in a time marked by the rise of wealth and societal divisions. His experience of conversion came through a profound encounter with poverty and suffering. Francis embraced a radical life of simplicity, humility, and love for creation, believing that true freedom is found in detachment from material goods. “Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.” This is an expression that is attributed to Saint Francis but we do not have it recorded anywhere in his writings, so more than anything, it expresses the fact that Francis authentically detached from material things, and lived and a life of the spirit, allowing his very life to do the preaching. He encouraged his friars to follow suit. His order, the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans), reflected this missionary spirit, emphasizing simplicity, community, and a deep connection with the natural world, loved into existence by God himself, but of course, would proclaim the gospel everywhere they went. Francis called his friars to be authentic witnesses to the gospel, and not mere mouthpieces or heralds without a true heart for the God of whom the spoke and whose goodness they tried to share with others.

In contrast, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, born in the late 15th century (so, about three hundred years after Francis) emerged during a period of turmoil in the Church marked by the Reformation. His transformation began after a wounded period of introspection, leading him to discern a life dedicated to God. Ignatius’s Spiritual Exercises emphasized discernment, action, and academia. The Society of Jesus (aka, the Jesuits) that Ignatius founded became known for its commitment to education, missionary work, and a deep engagement with the world. The Jesuits sought to find God in all things and were encouraged to be adaptable in their methods, often going wherever they were most needed.

Commonalities in Spirituality

Despite their differences, Ignatius and Francis share a profound love for God and a desire to lead others to Him. Both understood the importance of inner transformation—Francis through embracing the poor and marginalized, and Ignatius through spiritual reflection and discernment leading to action. They each recognized the call to serve not only in prayer but also through tangible acts of love and compassion.

Their lives also echo the sentiment expressed in today’s readings from Jeremiah and the Gospel of Matthew. Jeremiah speaks to the inner strife of being a messenger of God amidst challenge and contention. Saint Ignatius felt this deeply; his journey involved confronting internal struggles but finding joy in his mission. The parables of hidden treasure and the pearl of great price remind us all of the radical choice both saints made. They both “sold all they had” in pursuit of the treasure of the Kingdom of God. They exemplified the truth that joy and fulfillment come when we surrender our lives completely to God's calling.