St. Ignatius

Pope Francis smiling and giving a thumbs-up with text "Memento Mori?" and "no worries... 'I GOT THIS!!'" against a background featuring a skull with Catholic text."

A Jesuit to the Core: Pope Francis Manifests Sincere Practice of Exercises

Too traditional to be understood today in American Catholicism, and despite the constant grind against him by the news, and the ill feelings generated by those within the Church, Francis is teaching well, thank God — A Jubilee of Mercy and why his thoughts of death produced it.

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Pope Francis Through the Lens of St. Ignatius

A continuing theme of the Bellarmine Forum’s coverage of the Pope.

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Book cover featuring a portrait of Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, in historical attire. The cover is primarily dark with a portrait illustration and text: "Ignatius of Loyola Speaks" by Karl Rahner S.J. Translated by Annemarie S. Kidder. The text discusses Ignatius of Loyola's life and spiritual teachings, emphasizing his role as a Catholic saint."

Ignatius Speaks?

Ignatius of Loyola Speaks Karl Rahner, S.J. St. Augustine’s Press Paperback, $13.00 Simply looking at the cover of Ignatius of Loyola Speaks instantly sets the stage for the work. It gives the context of the work, quotes from Karl Rahner late in life saying it is “a sort of last will and testament” and “a…

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A person dressed in white papal robes kneels at an ornate altar with gold candelabras and intricate decorations. The setting is richly adorned with yellow and red patterns, indicative of a Catholic church interior.

Why People Don’t Get Pope Francis: He’s Too Traditional

I will admit to an immediate apprehension when the media takes an especial liking to a particular Catholic bishop or even the pope.  I am even more apprehensive when I see a prelate “ham it up” for the cameras, never miss an opportunity to speak to some media outlet, or look like he is taking…

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A detailed sculpture of Saint Jerome with a lion, surrounded by angels in a Catholic church setting. The figures are silver and gold against ornate, dark marble background.

Bomb-Throwing Jesuits

The tomb of St. Ignatius Loyola is situated at a brilliant side altar in the Society of Jesus’s Mother church in Rome, the Church of the Gesu. One of the most striking features of the tomb of St. Ignatius is the sculpture to the right of the altar entitled “Religion Overthrowing Heresy and Hatred” by…

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A statue of a robed figure in light beige stone, holding an open book with text "AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM," in a Catholic church setting. The figure has one arm raised, suggesting inspiration or preaching."

Francis, Ignatius, and Reform

The first indication that the Church had a new Successor of St. Peter came to the Jesuit community at the Gregorian University during its weekly community Mass. As the main celebrant Fr. Javier López was preparing the gifts, a cell phone rang among the concelebrants and within a few seconds the bells of Rome could…

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Black and white portrait of an elderly man wearing glasses, papal attire including a skullcap (zucchetto) and collar. He appears to be smiling gently, conveying a serene expression.

The Plan of this Pontificate: The Standard of Christ

It is fitting that the Holy Father’s Mass of Inauguration will be offered on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, as the Holy Father has indicated his great devotion to St. Joseph. Indeed, the first days of his Pontificate have also shown his tender and devoted love for Our Blessed Lady,…

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