Saint Ignatius of Loyola

     Yes! Another great Saint for us to call our friend! He was a Spanish soldier who was seriously wounded in battle and while in recovery, read about the life of Jesus and the Saints, whom he now calls his brothers and sisters in Heaven! After his time of being a soldier, he became a Catholic priest and founded the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. He was a great author of the "Spiritual Exercises". A rigorous schedule and guide to prayer and reflection, which is still upheld by many to this very day. He was canonized in 1622. He is the Patron Saint of soldiers, and those making Spiritual retreats. He is also a patron of the youth. His great example in the belief of the New testament was fulfillment of the Old testament, insisting upon the reality of "Christ's human nature.". Therefore concurring that Christ's passion, death and Resurrection are vital guarantees of Life everlasting, in the "Risen Christ". He believes original sin is our tendency toward disordered attachment and the distortion of gifts. A common human struggle, as he put it, the enemy of our human nature, "a struggle against the ego".

     A tradition exists that he was one of the children whom Jesus Christ took in His arms and blessed when He told His Apostles, "let the little children come to me". 

     Another great Saint, we can call our friend, among the countless ones we pray to for intercession in Heaven. Pray for the soldier. Pray for our church. Pray for our youth. All through the intercession of this great friend and Saint, we call Ignatius. 

     Saint Ignatius, pray for us!