The following article was written by Brother Jim Boynton, one of two Jesuits
from our St. Ignatius Loyola Parish family. Brother Jim and his uncle,
Fr. Bill Goudreau, who is serving in India, a priest for more than
50 years, are both significant parts of our parish history!
St. Ignatius Loyola
July 31st is the Feast of St. Ignatius Loyola, the patron saint of our parish.
Ignatius was the founder of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), the religious
order which founded our parish over 300 years ago.
As a young man, Ignatius lived a rather wild life, but through a conversion
experience, he dedicated himself to God.
While first doing this, he secluded himself in a cave and denied himself all
worldly pleasures. What is interesting to note is that he eventually progressed
beyond this. He realized that externals were not important in following Christ.
Ignatius then relaxed and embraced the world that God had made.
At his death he implored his followers to find God in all things, and in all
things to bring glory to God. Most often these are ideas rather than material
possessions. So, ... let us use Ignatius as our model in following Christ.
[May we] realize that externals are not the signs of following Christ and, like
Ignatius, that our faith life is continually progressing.
| Born: | 1491 in the Castle of Loyola, Guipuzcoa, Spain |
| Spiritual Conversion: | 1521-22, after reading "Lives of the Saints" while convalescing from battle wounds |
| Founded the Society of Jesus: (the Jesuits) | 1540, approved by Pope Paul III |
| Died: | 31 July 1556 at Rome |