Finding Ignacio

I have a dear friend — Miss M — who works in one of the Jesuit schools. There was a season when she would send me 5am good morning messages that always began with — Magis morning!

When the film Ignacio de Loyola was released, I was one of those who eagerly watched it. I thought it was very good — independently produced, faithful to his story, and free of the Hollywood mechanics that so often mangle Catholic-themed films. I came out inspired and wanting to know more about this saint.

I only wish the film had devoted more to the discernment cave scenes. I believe the teachings of St. Ignatius on discernment are somewhat lost in our modern world.

This point is so important — learning to hear the voice of God against the voices of fallen spirits.

There is a painting by Rubens — a powerful depiction of St. Ignatius casting out demons. It is bold and mysterious. It is an affirmation that St. Ignatius was a man who understood deeply the nuances and deceptive nature of evil. I wonder what inspired Rubens to create this work. If we are to defend our spiritual strongholds, learning to discern the spirits is an essential tool — now more than ever.

Calixto prayed for Ignacio. It crushed my heart in a good way.


"May God grant you safe passage in all your journeys ahead.
May you find companions worthy of your dreams.
May your plans always be bold and may your courage rise to meet them.
May you live to bring the love of God to all the corners of the earth,
to the most distant peripheries of His Church.

And may your passion always burn brightly —

that in God's time, you may set the world on fire."