The aim of the initiative is to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the conversion of St. Ignatius of Loyola, which took place during his convalescence and recovery after injuring a leg defending the castle of Pamplona.
Newsroom (31/07/2021 09:00, Gaudium Press) On the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the conversion of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits, fifteen Spanish bishops have published a pastoral letter in which they announced a Jubilee Year of commemoration between January 1 and December 31, 2022.
In the message, entitled ‘I make all things new’, the prelates state that they wish to echo the celebration being held by the Society of Jesus since May 20, the date on which the Ignatian Year began, which will last until July 31, 2022.
A turning point in the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola
According to the Bishops, the aim is “to commemorate the 500th anniversary of a decisive moment in the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola: his conversion that occurred during his convalescence and recovery after injuring a leg in the defense of the castle of Pamplona.”
“Recalling the conversion of St. Ignatius can be an opportunity to draw closer to God,” stress the bishops, who also assure that the wound the saint had in his leg opened his eyes to perceive another wound even deeper, “the wound that sin has generated in the heart of man and that can only be burned by the fire of the Holy Spirit.”
God invites us to various conversions
The pastoral letter also highlights that “in the most humanly difficult moment of his life is when, for the first time with full awareness, St. Ignatius discovers Christ. A Christ who will help him to discern the value and meaning of his life and to exchange the sword for the Word, the ardour of the struggle for the love of neighbour, the armour for the strength of Faith, the fleeting glow of fame, for the living flame of love”.
“The conversion of St Ignatius reminds us that God wants to invite us to diverse conversions, touched by surprise and the unexpected. He has done this upto now and will continue to do so. God rises like the sun every morning to show us the life that opens up as his love opens up. How can we deny a love like this?” they ask.
Ignatian Jubilee Year
Finally, in union with the spirit that animates the celebration of the Ignatian Year between 20 May 2021 and 31 July 2022, the Bishops announced a Jubilee Year throughout 2022.
“To emphasize experientially this dimension of the pilgrim Saint Ignatius, we have organized a Jubilee Year of Commemoration to be celebrated in 2022 along the Ignatian Way, understood as a continued experience of the Spiritual Exercises, which will be carried out from January 1 to December 31, 2022″, they conclude. (EPC)
