The Loyola House Jesuit Community with Xavier University celebrated the Feast of St Ignatius of Loyola on July 29.

XU Administrators laid wreaths at the foot of the statue of St Ignatius, which depicts him kneeling on one knee with head raised, arms bent and palms facing upward in a gesture of offering, at the Lucas Hall. XU President Fr Roberto Yap SJ led the ceremonial placing of the sword on St Ignatius’s hands.

Fr Mars Tan, rector of the Loyola House, related how St Ignatius, a military officer, started his mission by offering his sword.
“I hope we should also be reminded of how to continue the mission,” he said, “through renouncing our personal ambitions for the greater glory of God.”

Fr Yap shared about St Ignatius’s imperfection as cited by author Margaret Silf in her book, “Just call me Lopez.” Fr Yap said that just like Ignatius, we shouldn’t let imperfection prevent us from truly serving the Lord.

Further, he said that St Ignatius showed us that prayer is not separate from work.

“Ignatius taught us that we can bring together contemplation and action,” said Fr Yap. He iterated the Ignatian way of finding God in all things.

After the wreath-laying ceremony, a Eucharistic celebration presided by Fr Leo Pabayo SJ followed in the Immaculate Conception Chapel. In his homily, Fr Pabayo talked about the time-tested partnership of the Jesuits and lay people in serving Mindanao.

A simple lunch reception at the Magis Student Complex culminated the celebration of the Feast of St Ignatius. It was attended by the Jesuits, their family and friends, and the XU community.