Today, the Catholics remember the anniversary of the death of St Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. This brief summary captures his importance:

Throughout his life, Ignatius exhibited deep humility and a strong devotion to God. He emphasized the importance of finding God in all aspects of life, encouraging his followers to seek “the greater glory of God” in everything they did. His spiritual insights and teachings continue to inspire individuals from around the world. – from the Institute for Advanced Jesuit Studies

Ignatius had aspired to be a war hero, but a cannonball changed that:

Five hundred years ago, a cannonball wound to one man changed millions of lives. When asked, “Would Ignatius’s conversion have happened at all without the trauma of his wound in Pamplona?” Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Fr. Arturo Sosa, SJ, responded:

Who knows what might have happened if he had not been wounded? Whatever the case, in the life of any individual there are many instances that offer us the chance to open up to the transcendent, as happened in the conversion of Ignatius…There are times in life that shake you up and kick-start this process.

In any case, conversion never really happens in one fell swoop but is really a life-long process. Ignatius, for instance, never saw himself as having converted but as being a pilgrim. He never believed that he’d reached his goal. Christian life is a pilgrimage in which you put aside your plans to set out on a journey, allowing yourself to be guided, accompanied, open to surprises. —Excerpted from Walking with Ignatius

The movie Ignatius of Loyola: Soldier, Sinner, Saint does a good job of summarizing his life.

Part of my wife’s ministry is leading people through the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius. Here’s a description of an excellent resource, suitable for non-Catholics:

In Journey with Jesus, spiritual director Larry Warner guides us through the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius, similar to the way he’s been leading people through them in person. Here’s what he’s observed: “The Spiritual Exercises helped people reconnect with Jesus and with themselves in life-giving ways. It was powerful.” Ignatius wanted to help everyone, no matter what age or stage of life, experience Jesus. Through prayers and Scripture readings that largely focus on the life of Christ, the Spiritual Exercises that have been so powerful and growth-inducing for so many, including Warner, can be a tool for transformation in you as well.

I was moved to publish this blog when I saw this quote this morning:

A rough and unshapen log has no idea that it can be made into a statue that will be considered a masterpiece, but the carver sees what can be done with it. So many do not understand God can mold them into Saints, until they put themselves into the hands of the almighty Artisan. – St. Ignatius Loyola

The Apostle Paul said it first:

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2.10, NIV)