BRITISH JESUITS AND FRIENDS CELEBRATE in London, Edinburgh and Rome
Ged Clapson, our Province Communications Officer, reports on the April celebrations to remember St Ignatius Loyola, St Francis Xavier and Blessed Peter Favre.
Several dozen Jesuits and almost 400 co-workers and friends of the Society of Jesus gathered at Farm Street Church on Saturday 22nd April to mark the Society’s Jubilees. A similar gathering took place at the Sacred Heart Church in Edinburgh.
Banners depicting Ignatius Loyola, Francis Xavier and Peter Favre - three of the founding companions - were hung in Farm Street; they were joined by banners of the four Jesuits who were martyred in 1606 following the Gunpowder Plot: St Nicholas Owen, Blessed Edward Oldcorne, Blessed Ralph Ashley and Fr Henry Garnet. They were designed by Sr Anthony Wilson SND and hand-stitched by David Peglar.
In his homily, the Provincial, Fr Michael Holman SJ, recalled his recent visit to Rome where he visited the chapel of La Storta on the way to Rome. It was there, early in 1537, that Ignatius had a memorable vision where God the Father ‘placed him with his Son’ carrying his cross. Following Christ crucified, Ignatius continued to Rome and founded the Society of Jesus. Fr Holman urged the congregation to follow that tradition of Ignatius - being with, and looking at all times, to Jesus.
In his homily in Edinburgh, Fr Chris Boles SJ reflected on three themes associated with the 22nd April. Firstly, he referred to the day as the ‘birthday of the Jesuits,’ the day the first Jesuits made their final and perpetual vows, and is therefore a feast we mark in a special way.’ Secondly he reminded the congregation of the anniversaries the Society of Jesus is celebrating in 2006: the birth of Francis Xavier and Peter Favre 500 years ago and the 450th anniversary of the death of St Ignatius. Finally he reflected on the significance of Our Blessed Lady to both Ignatius and to the Jesuits.
This special devotion to Mary was also taken up by the Pope, who addressed the congregation at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome after the special Jubilee Mass. ‘May Mary continue to watch over the Society of Jesus so that every member may carry in his person the ‘image’ of the Crucified Christ, in order to share in his Resurrection,’ Pope Benedict told the pilgrims.
Earlier, the Holy Father had acknowledged the presence of a large contingent from Stonyhurst College, and the college was honoured further by having one of its pupils chosen to represent Jesuit students worldwide. Angela Page was among 90 pupils, parents, staff and alumni from Stonyhurst who had made the four-day pilgrimage to Rome, accompanied by Fr Matthew Power and Fr John Twist, who walked the final 60 miles.
Several dozen Jesuits and almost 400 co-workers and friends of the Society of Jesus gathered at Farm Street Church on Saturday 22nd April to mark the Society’s Jubilees. A similar gathering took place at the Sacred Heart Church in Edinburgh.
Banners depicting Ignatius Loyola, Francis Xavier and Peter Favre - three of the founding companions - were hung in Farm Street; they were joined by banners of the four Jesuits who were martyred in 1606 following the Gunpowder Plot: St Nicholas Owen, Blessed Edward Oldcorne, Blessed Ralph Ashley and Fr Henry Garnet. They were designed by Sr Anthony Wilson SND and hand-stitched by David Peglar.
In his homily, the Provincial, Fr Michael Holman SJ, recalled his recent visit to Rome where he visited the chapel of La Storta on the way to Rome. It was there, early in 1537, that Ignatius had a memorable vision where God the Father ‘placed him with his Son’ carrying his cross. Following Christ crucified, Ignatius continued to Rome and founded the Society of Jesus. Fr Holman urged the congregation to follow that tradition of Ignatius - being with, and looking at all times, to Jesus.
In his homily in Edinburgh, Fr Chris Boles SJ reflected on three themes associated with the 22nd April. Firstly, he referred to the day as the ‘birthday of the Jesuits,’ the day the first Jesuits made their final and perpetual vows, and is therefore a feast we mark in a special way.’ Secondly he reminded the congregation of the anniversaries the Society of Jesus is celebrating in 2006: the birth of Francis Xavier and Peter Favre 500 years ago and the 450th anniversary of the death of St Ignatius. Finally he reflected on the significance of Our Blessed Lady to both Ignatius and to the Jesuits.
This special devotion to Mary was also taken up by the Pope, who addressed the congregation at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome after the special Jubilee Mass. ‘May Mary continue to watch over the Society of Jesus so that every member may carry in his person the ‘image’ of the Crucified Christ, in order to share in his Resurrection,’ Pope Benedict told the pilgrims.
Earlier, the Holy Father had acknowledged the presence of a large contingent from Stonyhurst College, and the college was honoured further by having one of its pupils chosen to represent Jesuit students worldwide. Angela Page was among 90 pupils, parents, staff and alumni from Stonyhurst who had made the four-day pilgrimage to Rome, accompanied by Fr Matthew Power and Fr John Twist, who walked the final 60 miles.