JULY 31, 2024 – ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA.

• St. Ignatius of Layola (1556). Founder or Foundress, Patron or Patroness, Priest. Patron of retreats. (Current, Traditional) Founder of the Jesuits, Authored the Spiritual Exercises (the pinnacle expression of western spirituality)

ST. IGNATIUS was born at Loyola in Spain, in the year 1491. He served his king as a courtier and a soldier till his thirtieth year. At that age, being laid low by a wound, he received the call of divine grace to leave the world. He embraced poverty and humiliation, that he might become more like to Christ, and won others to join him in the service of God. Prompted by their love for Jesus Christ, Ignatius and his companions made a vow to go to the Holy Land, but war broke out, and prevented the execution of their project. Then they turned to the Vicar of Jesus Christ, and placed themselves under his obedience. This was the beginning of the Society of Jesus. Our Lord promised St. Ignatius that the precious heritage of His Passion should never fail his Society, a heritage of contradictions and persecutions. St. Ignatius was cast into prison at Salamanca, on a suspicion of heresy. To a friend who expressed sympathy with him on account of his imprisonment, he replied, “It is a sign that you have but little love of Christ in your heart, or you would not deem it so hard a fate to be in chains for His sake. I declare to you that all Salamanca docs not contain as many fetters, manacles, and chains as I long to wear for the love of Jesus Christ.” St. Ignatius went to his crown on the 31st July, 1556.

REFLECTION: Ask St. Ignatius to obtain for you the grace to desire ardently the greater glory of God, even though it may cost you much suffering and humiliation.

WORD OF THE DAY

BAD EXAMPLE. The external performance of some morally evil action that scandalizes other people and encourages them to do the same. Bad example refers especially to leaders in the Church or human society who are expected to practice above ordinary virtue and whose conduct is under constant public scrutiny. Their misconduct, therefore, inevitably gives a bad example to people who look to them for guidance and inspiration.

Modern Catholic Dictionary, Fr. John Hardon SJ (Get the real one at Eternal Life — don’t accept an abridged or edited version of this masterpiece!)

July, Month of the Precious Blood

The Precious BIood of Jesus – Short Meditations for July. July 31st — The Precious Blood in Heaven. 

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