Red Mass 2014
This year, 2014, we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the restoration of the Society of Jesus. 2014 is the bicentennial of the restoration of the Jesuits. What does this anniversary mean? Why a restoration?
The Jesuits were restored in 1814 because, forty-one years earlier, in 1773, the Pope abolished the Society of Jesus. In his papal brief of July 21st 1773, Dominus ac Redemptor, Pope Clement XIV suppressed the Society of Jesus. The Jesuits worldwide (including those in the Philippines) were expelled except in the Russia of Catherine the Great who refused to promulgate the Papal decree in her territory.
Why were the Jesuits abolished? The suppression of the Society occurred at a time when there were a lot of tensions between the Church and the different royal states of Europe. Kings and princes were getting fed up with the Church’s mingling in politics, with her thirst for control, wealth and power. The political powers at that time wanted to free themselves from the influence of the Church and the Society of Jesus became the first church institution to have been put aside in this struggle.
Why was the Society targeted during that fight? She was the most developed and powerful religious congregation (22,000 members strong). The Society was especially dangerous because she was the educator of the youth all over Europe and America (700 schools in all). The Society had been very close to the political powers, as some Jesuits were spiritual directors of kings and princes. To suppress the Society was to weaken the Church in one of her most decisive institutions. The Society would not have been suppressed if she had not been so powerful, if she had been humble, discrete and far from political power.
Forty-one years later came the official restoration of the Jesuits. On August 7th 1814, Pope Pius VII issued Sollicitudo omnium ecclesiarum, the papal bull by which he restored the Society throughout the world. 1814 to 2014: hence, we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the restoration of the Society of Jesus.
In his letters regarding this bicentennial, our current Fr General Adolfo Nicolas has stated clearly he wants us to avoid any suggestion of triumphalism and pride. He does not want a restoration of the glory of the Society. Something has to die of the desires of power, security, and worldly ambitions. Rather Fr Nico wishes that during this anniversary, we make an effort to live more profoundly the spiritual aspects of our vocation: creative fidelity, love for the institute, fraternal companionship, universal mission, faith in providence.
The motto for this bicentennial is “Ite inflammata omnia” … “Go, set the world on fire.” These were the words of St Ignatius Loyola to his good friend, St Francis Xavier when Loyola sent Xavier on mission to the Far East. These words then should have special meaning for us who are members of Xavier University. “Go, set the world on fire.”
As we celebrate our Red Mass, our Mass of the Holy Spirit to mark the beginning of a new School Year, the image of fire also colors our celebration. Tongues of fire descended on the apostles at Pentecost, bringing the power of the Holy Spirit.
“Set the world on fire” is a curious expression. Fire provides warmth during cold nights. But fire also destroys; fire can burn to the ground houses, buildings and neighborhoods. But fire purifies too; flames burn up the weeds and the refiner’s fire purifies gold. Fire also signifies passion as when we say that people are set afire with vigor and zeal. These different effects of fire can elucidate the three themes of this bicentennial: Gratitude, Renewal and Mission.
Gratitude. Fire can provide warmth. When we count our blessings our hearts warm up. We have warm feelings of gratitude when we are deeply aware of the graces and gifts we have received. A wise person said, “Gratitude is the echo of grace.” When your heart is aware of blessings and gifts, it will echo … it will reverberate with gratitude.
Gratitude is the vision that sees our life as gift. A grateful heart will see that all is grace … everything is gift from our God who cannot be outdone in generosity. The grateful heart sees the good beyond envy and complaint. The grateful heart sees the gift beyond entitlement and demand. The grateful heart sees the generous Giver of the gifts.
During this Red Mass, let us ask the Holy Spirit to warm our hearts so we may see how bountiful the graces that God has given us and that we may always be grateful for all these gifts. Throughout this bicentennial anniversary, let us count our blessings: family and friends, good health, good food, roof over our heads, clothes on our back, wonderful music, interesting books, edifying entertainment, the beauty of creation, the difficult graces, the wonder of social media, the opportunity to study and work at XU, and so much more. May we receive the warm fire of the Spirit so we will always appreciate that all is grace … everything is gift.
Renewal. Fire destroys and purifies. This bicentennial is a time of renewal. We need the fire of the Spirit to burn away all that is selfish, and greedy and proud in us. We need the fire of the Spirit to destroy what is egotistical and self-centered in us. As gold is purified by the refiner’s fire, we need the Spirit’s fire to bring out the goodness, kindness, and generosity in each one of us. If the Spirit’s fire will burn in our hearts, then we will be renewed in our true God-given identity that our life is not our own, but that our life is meant to be given to others in compassion and service.
During this Red Mass, let us ask the Holy Spirit to purify our hearts so we may be renewed in the Ateneo way, to be men and women for others. Throughout this bicentennial celebration, may we be renewed in the ideals of Xavier, to grow in competence, conscience, and commitment in the service of the Church, the Filipino people and the global community.
Mission. Fire energizes. People on fire act with great zeal and fervor in exerting their best to realize their dreams. We all need to be energized to fulfill our mission as a Jesuit university to: serve the faith; promote justice; dialogue with cultures and religions, particularly regarding the important concerns of our Bangsamoro brothers and sisters; protect the environment, especially our ridges, rivers and reefs. May we will always be afire with passion to pursue excellence in all we do: excellence in academics, excellence in formation, excellence in research, excellence in social outreach.
During this Red Mass, let us ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen our hearts so we may be bold and courageous in pursuing our vision as Xavier University: “A Leading ASEAN University Forming Leaders of Character by 2033.” Throughout this bicentennial, may we be on fire with magis, ready to go to the peripheries where we can proclaim the Good News of God’s salvation.
Today, we beg for the gift of the Holy Spirit. May we receive the Spirit’s fire … the warm fire that fills our hearts with gratitude so we can see that all is grace … the fire that purifies our hearts so we are renewed in our ideals and the values we hold dear … the fire that energizes us so we can do our mission to engage the frontiers, seeking what more we can do in the service para sa Diyos at bayan.
Veni Sancte Spiritu. Halina, Espiritu Santo. Umari ka, Espiritu Santo. Come, Holy Spirit, enkindle in us the fire of your love so we may go and set the world on fire!