Tag: Spirituality

Ignatius of Loyola, Soldier – Sinner – Saint

I had the great pleasure of watching this film on EWTN last weekend.  An excellent film!

A modern and very human take on the story of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, often called ‘The Saint of Second Chances.’ As a brash, hot-headed soldier in a time of political upheaval in Spain, the young Iñigo went from living a life of brutal violence and debauchery, to becoming one of the greatest saints in the history of the Church. This film chronicles Iñigo’s torturous struggle to turn from darkness to light—a struggle that nearly destroyed him, but also gave him the key to a spiritual weapon that continues to save lives to this very day.

Produced by Jesuit Communications Philippines (JesCom), Ignatius of Loyola was shot on location over two months in Spain. It is an incisive and thrilling look at the life of the real man behind the legend. In his lifelong quest to become the heroic Knight of his fantasies, Ignatius stares death in the face again and again, having his leg shattered by a cannonball in battle; driven to near suicide by his inner demons; finding himself imprisoned, accused of being a member of the Illuminati; and finally finding his life in the hands of the Inquisition. Through it all, he would come to see the hand of God working in his life, shaping the self-obsessed sinner into the loyal and passionate soldier-saint.

The film also shows how Ignacio wove the trials, errors, and lessons of his eventful life into the fabric of his masterpiece, the Spiritual Exercises. Combining clarity of thought with Ignacio’s own love of fantasy and imagination, the Exercises form a rigorous method of making one’s life decisions, and have guided and influenced countless seekers throughout history.  Available on DVD.

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Please join us for an inspirational and uplifting retreat for Young Catholic Women ages 18-26 on Sat., August 4 at St Joseph Parish, Danbury, CTPicture in Church of the Visitation from 9 AM to 3 PM.  The day includes relevant talks from local women, small group discussions, a peaceful time of music and reflection, and a showing of the documentary film “Speaking to Sparrows”.

Cost $20 which includes snacks and drinks.  Please bring a bag lunch.  Contact Roxane Angotta at angotta@sbcglobal.net or 203-512-0201 to learn more.

Learning Where God Wants You to Be

Peter Freed by Angel acts-5-17-26The reading this morning from Acts 5: 17-26 has an angel of the Lord releasing Peter and the Apostles from prison so they can be preaching in the Temple area to the suprise of the Sanhedrin in the morning!

The magazine Word Among Us, which I read everyday and recommend to you, had an excellent short piece from this reading this morning about learning where God’s wants you to be.  It follows below:

Go and take your place in the temple area. (Acts 5:20) 

It’s a dramatic scene. The full council of Jewish elders has assembled for the trial of Jesus’ apostles. But a report comes that the apostles have disappeared from the jail and are once more preaching in the Temple precincts. Just as the angel had told them to, they took their “place,” both geographically and spiritually.  

You have a place where God wants you to be as well. Every day, you face countless decisions. Some are immediate, like what to have for lunch or which route to take to the gas station. Some are more long-term, like choosing a career path or deciding where to live. And others occupy a middle ground, like deciding whether to speak to a family member about your faith or choosing to speak up about a contentious social issue. It’s these medium and long-term decisions that God wants to help you make. He has a place for you in this world, and he wants to help you discover it. 

So how can we find our place? The first and best way has to do with habits—the habit of inviting the Lord into our decision making and the habit of listening for the Spirit’s gentle promptings. 

Neither of these habits comes easily. We are accustomed to making our own decisions or reacting immediately to a situation rather than listening for God’s guidance. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. In truth, there is no magic formula that fits all circumstances. The only thing we can do is keep trying to get into the habit. Over time, God’s voice will become clearer, and we’ll find our place more easily. 

According to Brother Lawrence, the seventeenth-century monk behind the book The Practice of the Presence of God, “In the beginning a persistent effort is needed, . . . but after a little care, his love brings us to it.” At every crossroad, you can take up this “persistent effort.” In a challenging situation, pray, “Your will be done,” and spend just a moment or two to sense the Lord’s leading. When a big decision comes up, seek God’s guidance in prayer. Give it time. Be patient with yourself. Trust that God uses every effort of yours to mold you and place you exactly where he wants you. 

“Lord, open my ears to hear you and my heart to sense you. Show me my place in your kingdom.” 

Word Among Us