The Ignatian Year
From May 2021 until July 2022, the Society of Jesus celebrates an Ignatian Year. What is an Ignatian Year? May 20, 2021 marks the 500th anniversary of St. Ignatius’ conversion — that fateful day when Ignatius the soldier, struck by a cannonball, began his transformation into Ignatius, the pilgrim. How might we grow in our relationship with God and our love for one another by meditating on this important moment in Ignatius’ life?
God continues to invite each of us into a deepening relationship, to ongoing conversion. We believe that by embracing this invitation, we embrace our God, who calls us to act in new, bold ways that reconcile our world, bringing about justice, peace and compassion. For this Ignatian Year, we ask for the grace to see all things new in Christ.
God continues to invite each of us into a deepening relationship, to ongoing conversion. We believe that by embracing this invitation, we embrace our God, who calls us to act in new, bold ways that reconcile our world, bringing about justice, peace and compassion. For this Ignatian Year, we ask for the grace to see all things new in Christ.
The Invitation To Each of Us
We are invited to reflect on our own “cannonball moments” -- to recognize and embrace those life experiences which have changed and transformed us. We are invited to consider how the “cannonballs” in our lives may be shattering obstacles that stand between us and the true freedom that releases us to trust in and live more deeply in God’s love.
For many of you, the image of a “cannonball moment” may be clear and meaningful. The memory of a powerful experience comes easily to mind. For others, the image may be aggressive or distracting. In either case, the invitation is to name the unexpected gifts and epiphanies, including the traumas, injuries, or losses in your life that have converted and changed you.
In our Bellarmine community, we try to be intentional about providing opportunities to tell these stories. Each month, as part of our ongoing Active Discipleship initiative, we invite a member to offer a “witness” of how they have been impacted by some action of God breaking into their lives. You know how these stories inspire and encourage you, how they help you to identify moments in your life that you had not recognized before until you heard it described by someone else. Now it’s your turn! We want to hear your story!
For many of you, the image of a “cannonball moment” may be clear and meaningful. The memory of a powerful experience comes easily to mind. For others, the image may be aggressive or distracting. In either case, the invitation is to name the unexpected gifts and epiphanies, including the traumas, injuries, or losses in your life that have converted and changed you.
In our Bellarmine community, we try to be intentional about providing opportunities to tell these stories. Each month, as part of our ongoing Active Discipleship initiative, we invite a member to offer a “witness” of how they have been impacted by some action of God breaking into their lives. You know how these stories inspire and encourage you, how they help you to identify moments in your life that you had not recognized before until you heard it described by someone else. Now it’s your turn! We want to hear your story!
Resources
Journey With Ignatius Virtual Pilgrimage: Join a community of pilgrims on the Ignatian journey to find God in all things. Follow the footsteps of Ignatius from his years as a young page in Arevalo, Spain to his final days as Superior General of the Society of Jesus in Rome, Italy. Read from Ignatius’ own writings, insights from selected Jesuit sources, and invitations to programs on Ignatian spirituality all while joining a community of prayer.
Check out this page of Ignatian Year Resources put together by XU's Center for Mission and Identity.
Stop by the Narthex to pick up free resources on growing in Ignatian Spirituality!