Fr Adolfo Nicolas SJ [Former Superior General of the Society of Jesus] once shared his perception on St Ignatius: what he admired and found very attractive is his ‘depth’. Ignatian Spirituality is a spirituality that calls for greater depth in whatever we are doing. To place Jesus at the centre and rely on the guidance and activity of the Holy Spirit.

St Ignatius was able to go so deep because he ‘gave himself over to God’. He allowed God to lead the way. Greater depth means greater insight into oneself and the world around us. We often think that Ignatius' conversion happened as he recovered in Loyola after his leg was shattered in Pamplona.

We know that Ignatius had more than one conversion. At Arevalo in 1517 at the age 26 his protector was expelled from the Royal Court. This marked Ignatius for life, he began to ask questions about the deeper meaning in life. Loyola was a religious conversion to Jesus, as he read the life of Christ. Monserrat and Manresa were a conversion to poverty, he gave his fine clothes away to the beggar. He set out for the Holy Land alone, he did not want to rely on anyone for help. However, when he was expelled from Jerusalem, he faced the reality of an ecclesial authority. This led him to take another look at his way. He became aware that he belonged to a church, and he needed help from others, this was a conversion to community. The Cardoner vision led him to understand all things which seemed new to him. This was a conversion to the world, to see all things new in Christ.

Ignatian spirituality is for the world, in the world. As God has led us and will continue to invite us to deeper understanding, let us look again at our way, and pray for the grace on this feast of St Ignatius, to be open to the conversion experiences in our lives and in the lives of the people around us.

Ian Cribb SJ

Navigating the human heart

JISA Sevenhill Director Robert Morris SJ reflects on the legacy of St Ignatius’ conversion for the Church, Jesuits, and the world.

“The great gift of Ignatius’ conversion for such a world is the invitation to listen, to read the movements of the heart in times of crisis and in the midst of dreams, to discern amidst the noise of life the horizon that opens to God and the end for which we are created.”

'Gustar y sentir'

Gustar y sentir the Spanish phrase, meaning to savour and taste our experience with God, through reflection, will live in my heart forever.” 

JISA Spiritual Director Mary Diggins reflects on her experience of the International Ignatian Immersion in Manresa April-June this year. Where participants deepend the legacy of Ignatius of Loyola. 

Take this online pilgrimage with Ignatius

Experience the gifts of Ignatius’ life and spirituality through a series of stories and prayers of key stages and turning points of his life, and the relevance to our lives, places, and times, including questions to reflect upon.