The Audacity of Following in the Footsteps of St. Ignatius

Editor’s note: Throughout July, we’re hosting 31 Days with St. Ignatius, a month-long celebration of Ignatian spirituality. In addition to the calendar of Ignatian articles found here, posts on dotMagis this month will explore the theme of “The Audacity of Ignatian Spirituality.”

St. Ignatius made some bold claims about God and how one can live in relation to God. What could be considered audacious about following in the footsteps of St. Ignatius today? What sets followers of St. Ignatius apart?

We have the audacity to:

• Live as seekers. When dictating his biography to a brother Jesuit, Ignatius referred to himself as “The Pilgrim.” He embarked on many journeys after his conversion experience—through Spain, to the Holy Land, Rome, and beyond—and all of these journeys were rooted in his spiritual quest to know and follow God ever more closely. As we follow in the footsteps of Ignatius, we also consider ourselves to be on a spiritual journey. We are always seeking to go deeper in relationship with the Divine.
• Live an active spirituality. The practice of Ignatian spirituality is marked by an observant discernment of God’s plan for our lives and thoughtful, purposeful decision-making. We actively notice God’s work in our souls, in others, and in the world around us. We observe the interior movements of the Spirit, and we act against that which stops the movement of our souls toward the Divine.
• Embrace stillness and rest. While Ignatian spirituality is an active spirituality, we also value stillness and silence, as these provide the space in which we listen for God’s voice. We also recognize rest as essential. We try to observe our Sundays as days of rest, and many people reserve time for annual Ignatian retreats—a treasured time for both rest and discernment.
• Find God in all things. While we worship as a community at Mass, we also worship throughout our days, because Ignatius taught us to see God everywhere. Ours is a creative God, who is, at all times, breathing life into all of creation. Everywhere we look, we find an opportunity to praise our Creator.
• Believe in an approachable God. We accept Ignatius’s wisdom that we have a God who desires to draw close to us in the person of Jesus. We believe that Jesus wants to be our friend, that he cares about every detail of our lives, and that he seeks us out when we are lost.
• Believe that we are called to co-labor with God in establishing the kingdom here and now. It is a kingdom where peace and justice are restored, the dignity of each human is respected, and all know they are loved.
• Declare that, in God’s kingdom, all are welcome. Ignatius had the audacity to speak with people of all ranks and walks of life about Jesus’ love. We embrace an inclusive spirituality that is open to all of God’s children.
• Declare hope in situations that seem hopeless. As contemplatives in action, we seek to go into the world and accompany the suffering Christ among us in the poorest of the poor and in all who dwell on the margins of society. We work tirelessly to liberate our brothers and sisters from oppression in all its forms.
• Center ourselves in the love of God. Amid the frenetic activity of the world today, we are centered in the Love that gives birth to all things. We embrace wonder and awe, because we believe all is gift. We relish beauty, notice the moments, walk gently, and voice our gratitude to God, whose love is our source and summit.
• Give all to God and strive to do all things for the greater glory of God. Instead of holding tightly to power and control, we strive to emulate Ignatius and his Suscipe and give everything back to God and do all things for the greater glory of God.

As we near the end of 31 Days with St. Ignatius, consider with Jim Manney The New Things Ignatius Gave Us. Use the hashtag #31DayswithIgnatius on your favorite social media channels, and share the ways you’ve been touched by St. Ignatius and the spiritual outlook that bears his name.