Dear Members of CLC Canada,
CLC the world over is encouraged to take the time on July 31
st
to join the Society of Jesus in recalling to mind the Trinity’s gratuitous gift of St. Ignatius Loyola to the world. Not only was he the founder of the Society of Jesus, but it was under his inspiration and following his example that Jean Leunis SJ gathered a group of young men at the Roman College that led to the formal papal recognition of the Marian Congregation.
For almost 500 years, we have continued to reap the benefits from Ignatius’ life of discerning prayer and service. One that is most deeply appreciated is that since 1540 the journeys of the Society of Jesus and the Marian Congregations / Christian Life Community have remained connected as one worldwide religious community and one worldwide autonomous lay community bonded by his Spiritual Exercises.
A true gift freely given is multiplied by being shared. Ignatius spent considerable time pondering his journey of holiness, of discovering God in all things and eventually recognizing the gift of the journey itself. The revelation of the discerning way of the journey was shared with others over and over again. As a direct result, CLC is firmly rooted in the Spiritual Exercises which provide
s
the lens
es
through which all of the CLC way of life - its organization and mission, its way of proceeding, its way of being and of doing, its form - is lived.
The Spiritual Exercises are not solely reserved for retreat experiences but provide CLC members with a
pedagogy for a way of life. So in gratitude for St. Ignatius, CLC recognizes that in order to be a member of CLC, the Spiritual Exercises must be ingrained in one’s spirit.
Today, many CLC members are trained Spiritual Directors of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and carry on the legacy left by Ignatius by sharing the gift of the Exercises with others who seek a closer union with the Beloved One in daily life.
On Tuesday July 31
st
2018, the CLC delegates from 70 plus countries will gather for Mass in Buenos Aires to celebrate St. Ignatius at the closing of the CLC World General Assembly.
Let us pause for some moments on this day to join our prayers of grateful thanksgiving with those of our delegates (Michelle, Catherine, Fr Trevor and Peter keeping vigil at home) and all the CLC World delegates as they rejoice in Ignatius’ availability to the Trinity in being a bearer of gifts to CLC.
May Our Lady of the Way continue to inspire our faithfulness.
Leah Michaud
President CLC Canada
