News & Updates | December 2021 |
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Dear Friend,
Welcome to Advent and happy Feast of St. Francis Xavier! As a proud alum of Colegio San Francisco Javier in Puerto Montt, Chile, this is my day, too.
Xavier was one of the first Jesuits, along with St. Ignatius Loyola and St. Peter Faber. They were college roommates and spiritual companions. They founded the Society of Jesus together in 1540. Then, in 1541, Xavier sailed east. He spent the rest of his life as a missionary in what is now India, Malaysia, and Japan. He never saw Ignatius again, but they continued to exchange letters. Their friendship was intimate, and Ignatius counseled Francis Xavier as he eagerly took each step in his mission.
The historical details of his life, however, are less important to me than two lessons I have learned from Xavier.
The first is that I learned to admire his desire for the magis and his readiness to go, even though he knew little of the places he was headed or what would happen. It is a potent lesson for 2021. Do I have the desire to follow God when things feel less certain, more tenuous, even scarier? I pray first for the desire, then for the courage.
The second is the importance of friendship and spiritual conversation. I learned in my high school years that I cannot follow God in isolation. I had Jesuits, lay teachers, and friends in my Christian Life Community. Now, I rely on my family and friends. I need companions to teach me, to reveal God to me in new ways, to listen to me, and to correct me when I err.
During this Advent season and on today’s feast, I am asking God for these graces given to Xavier. Join me in this prayer, if you feel God inviting you.
St. Francis Xavier, ruega por nosotros.
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Carlos Aedo
Executive Director
Office of Ignatian Spirituality
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IGNATIAN YOUNG ADULTS MINISTRIES
Advent Audio Reflections
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Enter deeper into this season of hopeful anticipation by spending five minutes each week listening to these audio reflections, written and produced by our Ignatian Young Adult community. All are welcome to reflect and pray with us!
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OFFICE OF IGNATIAN SPIRITUALITY
Provisions for the Journey to Bethlehem: Brief Reflections on the Daily Scriptures During Advent
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Spiritual director Elaine Ireland has written short reflections and points for prayer for Advent based on the daily readings.
"Each week of Advent has a specific theme, but the overarching theme of the season is waiting and preparing in hope, a grace so essential, so necessary for the whole world right now. Where do you find hope?"
Click here to pray with these short reflections on the daily Scriptures.
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OFFICE OF IGNATIAN SPIRITUALITY
OIS's Advent Playlist
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We have put together a short playlist of songs that we like for Advent. Something to help you enter into prayer, or to play in the background while you’re working.
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Visit our website throughout the Ignatian Year for information on upcoming events and resources to help you go deeper.
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The Life of St. Francis Xavier
Today is the Feast of St. Francis Xavier!
Our Jesuit Lectionary now includes a reflection for each feast contributed by the Jesuits East Vocations team.
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IGNATIAN SPIRITUAL DIRECTION INITIATIVE | ONLINE
Seeing Everything New in Christ: A Four-Part Series for Ignatian Spiritual Directors
Saturday, March 12, 2022, 9:00am ET
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The third workshop in OIS's spiritual direction series for the Ignatian Year will be on Saturday, March 12, 2022, from 9am-12pm, ET.
You may still register, even if you were unable to attend the October and November workshops — you will receive a link to watch the recordings. This series is facilitated by Damian Zynda, Th.D., and focuses on the dynamic of grace as operative in the Spiritual Exercises.
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The Office of Ignatian Spirituality is committed to working toward racial justice. As a staff we continue to prayerfully discern our roles in both the perpetuation and the fight against racism. We invite everyone in our community to join us in praying for conversion of heart and in discerning how to take action. Each month we share what is informing prayer and conversation among our staff. |
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Fr. Bryan Massingale's Keynote Address at ISN's 2021 Teach-In for Justice
Ignatian Solidarity Network
Fr. Bryan Massingale challenges us as Catholics to examine the hard truth on race in our church, world and nation in order to be agents of racial justice and reconciliation.
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Consolation & Desolation, December 2021
Jesuit Antiracism Sodality East
The Jesuit Antiracism Sodality (JARS) East exists to create a space of companionship for those who have a passion for racial justice in our Province. The monthly "Consolation & Desolation" reflection are exercises in shared spirituality, vulnerability, and prayer.
Read this month's reflection from Fr. George Bur, SJ, of St. Joseph’s University. He encourages us to reach out, to speak up, and to embrace opportunities to build community in our work for racial justice.
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POPE'S WORLDWIDE PRAYER NETWORK
Pope Francis's Prayer Intention for December 2021
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This month, Pope Francis asks us to join him in praying for catechists. "Let us pray for the catechists, summoned to announce the Word of God: may they be its witnesses, with courage and creativity and in the power of the Holy Spirit."
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Ignatius House, Atlanta, GA |
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Find your next retreat on our calendar of retreats offered by OIS and our partners across the Jesuit network.
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Office of Ignatian Spirituality | USA East Province of the Society of Jesus
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