top

Pastor’s Corner for the Solemnity of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Year C, by Fr. Bruce Botha SJ

On the 31st of July we celebrate the feast of St Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus. He gave to the Church the Spiritual Exercises and a spirituality which encouraged people to see God in all things, and to do all things for the greater glory of God. One of the prayers he asks those who do the Spiritual Exercises is the Suscipe, better known as “Take Lord, receive:”

 

Take Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, 

and my entire will, all that I have and possess. 

Thou hast given all to me. To Thee, O lord, I return it. 

All is Thine, dispose of it wholly according to Thy will. 

Give me Thy love and thy grace, for this is sufficient for me.

 

Jesuits have, throughout our history, been at the forefront of the arts and sciences. The liturgy at the 09h30 mass is a testimony to the contribution that Jesuits have made to the field of music, containing works by famous composers such as Joseph Gelieau SJ. In this liturgical celebration we will also be having two violinists perform J.S. Bach’s Concerto for 2 violins. Our celebration will be a worthy tribute to man who founded the Society. The liturgy of the Church always needs to be done well whether it is the main Sunday parish mass or a short and simple weekday mass. This is because the Eucharist is the only time when we gather together as a community in common prayer and worship. In the Vatican II Constitution on the Liturgy the Church teaches us that the liturgy is the Source and Summit of our Christian life. We are called to be both fed from it, and to treat it with the utmost reverence.

We hope that you will come and celebrate and rejoice with us on this special feast day.

 

Fr. Bruce Botha SJ