St. Ignatius Loyola

Tomorrow evening begins our Cathedral’s Teaching Tuesday series on prayer. (See my post “An AMAZING Experience!” https://amoiesu.wordpress.com/2015/01/30/an-amazing-experience/) The classes that inspired Father Lankeit to give these talks draw from the wisdom of one of my most favorite saints: Ignatius of Loyola.

St. Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556) was a very noble soldier of the Spanish army. His courage was so remarkable that after losing a fierce battle with the French, his enemies admired him and took it upon themselves to treat his leg that had been smashed by a cannonball. Unfortunately, medical care back then was not sufficient to treat such a serious injury. After the extremely painful and not completely successful surgeries, the action-loving warrior was bored to tears while confined to his bed indefinitely. He asked his sister-in-law (in whose house he was staying) for books containing grand tales of battle, but all she could find were a couple volumes on the life of Christ and of the Saints. In reading these books out of sheer desperation, he discovered the battle for souls to which he was called and started the Jesuit Order (of which our dear Pope Francis is a member) upon recovery. He wrote the famous Spiritual Exercises and was so grateful to God for His blessings each day, that he was constantly on the verge of tears. He died of illness at age 65. He is the patron of retreats, scruples, vocational discernment, and the Jesuit Order.

The Anima Christi by St. Ignatius Loyola

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds hide me.
Permit me not to be separated from you.
From the wicked foe, defend me.
At the hour of my death, call me
and bid me come to you
That with your saints I may praise you
For ever and ever. Amen.