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EI Edition 67: The Renaissance

Spanning between the 14th and 17th centuries, the Renaissance was a period of rebirth across Europe, marked by great advancements in art, exploration, literature, politics, and science. And the Jesuits were born right in the middle of it.

Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance Spanning between the fourteenth and seventeenth centuries, the Renaissance was a period of rebirth across Europe, marked by great advancements in art, exploration, literature, politics, and science. The litany of Renaissance geniuses is not short. Minds like Dante, Shakespeare, Erasmus, and da Vinci shaped Europe (and the entire world) during this…

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EI Edition 66: For the Love of the Liturgy - Lent

For the love of the Liturgy, let's talk about Lent. Lent is the season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. It is a time to re-learn a fundamental virtue: humility.

For the love of the Liturgy, let’s talk about Lent. Lent is the season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. It is a time to re-learn a fundamental virtue: humility. Leaning into Liturgy Today, we will be looking at several excerpts from the Liturgy. We will begin with the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar: Oremus. Aufer a nobis, quaesumus, Domine, iniquitates nostras: ut ad Sancta sanctorum…

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#For the Love of the Liturgy

EI Edition 65: Watch your Mouth!

Words can break down, build up, cut, delight, frighten, hurt, inspire, insult, seduce, and soothe. It's corny, but it is also true. So much so, that in his Spiritual Exercises, Ignatius dedicates several paragraphs solely to sins of the tongue.

Words can break down, build up, cut, delight, frighten, hurt, inspire, insult, seduce, and soothe. It’s corny, but it is also true. So much so, that in his Spiritual Exercises, Ignatius dedicates several paragraphs solely to sins of the tongue. And the only way to tackle it is talking it out. Beginning with Ignatius 38. Words (One may also offend God in word in many ways: by blasphemy, by…

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#Pick the Best

EI Edition 64: The Devil Wears Prada

In 2006, the blockbuster film The Devil Wears Prada hit the theaters, and was subsequently nominated for a litany of awards. But, inadvertently or not, the movie producers also coined a remarkable rule of thumb for the spiritual life.

In 2006, the blockbuster film The Devil Wears Prada hit the theaters, and was subsequently nominated for a litany of awards. But, inadvertently or not, the movie producers also coined a remarkable rule of thumb for the spiritual life. We Begin With Ignatius 332. . . . It is a mark of the evil spirit to assume the appearance of an angel of light. He begins by suggesting thoughts that are suited…

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EI Edition 63: The Power of the Novena

There comes a time in everyone's life when you just feel burnt out. The passion that you one had for a hobby or project seems to fade away. And it is at those moments that we yearn for something to reignite the fire we once had. Enter the Novena.

There comes a time in everyone’s life when you just feel . . . burnt out. The passion that you one had for a hobby, project, or line of work seems to fade away. And it is at those moments that we yearn for something to reignite the fire we once had. Enter the Novena. Defining Terms By definition, a Novena is, “A Roman Catholic period of prayer lasting nine consecutive days.” The origins of…

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EI Edition 62: Do You Trust Me?

It was only when the Israelites said, "I trust in you, every day and every moment," that they were able to enter the Promised Land. To trust completely in the Divine Majesty, that is what is means to be a child of God.

I want to begin with a bit of humor, courtesy of Duck Dynasty: The Lesson of the Desert This was the lesson that the Israelites had to learn. And relearn. And relearn. And relearn. For four decades. Every day, the Divine Majesty provided you with the manna you needed, but He only gave you enough for one day. Granted, you have to go out and collect it, but He only gave you enough for one…

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EI Edition 61: Pick the Best - Franciscan Joy

Anthony of Padua. Bonaventure. Clare of Assisi. Solanus Casey. And, of course, Francis himself. All of these Franciscan greats share one thing in common: A joy that is bottomless and effervescent. But how can we, as Ignatians, emulate that?

Anthony of Padua. Bonaventure. Clare of Assisi. Solanus Casey. And, of course, Francis himself. All of these Franciscan greats share one thing in common: A joy that is bottomless and effervescent. But how can we, as Ignatians, emulate that? Jesters of the Lord Saint Francis of Assisi, by Cecilia “Theophilia” Lawrence The Franciscans are known as the “Jesters of the Lord,” and for a reason:…

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#Pick the Best

EI Edition 60: A Royal Epiphany

They came from the East, they followed a star, and they offered Him treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. In a nutshell, this is all we know about the Magi. But maybe that is all we need to know about the Sovereigns from the East.

They came from the East, they followed a star, and they offered Him treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. In a nutshell, this is all we know about the Magi. But, in a certain respect, maybe that is all we need to know about the Sovereigns from the East. “We Three Kings of Orient Are. . .” Their origins in Africa, Asia, and Europe are not coincidental, as they represent the universality…

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EI Edition 59: An Ignatian New Year

The most daunting challenge of life is being the best you can be, no matter what the circumstances around you suggest, as there is always room for each of us to grow and face the mountain before us. But Ignatius exhorts us to never lose heart, because scaling the mountain is what the spiritual life is all about. As we approach the New Year, let us listen to his advice in setting our resolutions.

The most daunting challenge of life is being the best you can be, no matter what the circumstances around you suggest, as there is always room for each of us to grow and face the mountain before us. But Ignatius exhorts us to never lose heart, because scaling the mountain is what the spiritual life is all about. As we approach the New Year, let us listen to his advice in setting our…

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A Brief Announcement

Unfortunately, there will be no edition of Everyday Ignatian this week due to my family and I contracting COVID-19. God willing, we will be resuming our weekly editions next week. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

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EI Edition 58: Ignatian 101 - Ignatian Examen

As we enter into the New Year it is appropriate to reflect on ourselves. Both in terms of where we have succeeded and where we have failed. Thanks be to God, Ignatius provides us with the perfect formula in the Spiritual Exercises.

As we enter into the New Year – both liturgically and secularly – it is appropriate to reflect on ourselves. Both in terms of where we have succeeded, but also where we have failed. Thanks be to God, Ignatius provides us with a formula to do this in the Spiritual Exercises. Which gives us the perfect springboard for Ignatian 101. Enter the Exercises 43. . . . There are five points in this…

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#35 #39 #40

EI Edition 57: Spiritual Direction and Discernment

One of the key elements of the Spiritual Exercises is spiritual direction and discernment. As Ignatians, it is not uncommon for souls to approach us for advice on delicate matters. But how do we guide them in the ways of truth, goodness, and beauty?

One of the key elements of the Spiritual Exercises – and Ignatianism in general, for that matter – is spiritual direction and discernment. In other words, the entire reason why the Spiritual Exercises were written is to guide souls to make good, sound decisions on spiritual and temporal matters. As Ignatians, it is not uncommon for souls to approach us for advice on delicate matters. Which begs…

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#178 #179 #181 #185 #186 #187 #22

EI Edition 56: Blessing In Disguise

We ought to give thanks to the Divine Majesty, because we just celebrated two of the greatest Jesuits of all time: Saint Edmund Campion and Saint Francis Xavier.

First and foremost, an apology is in order: I was unable to publish on Friday due to logistical reasons. At the same time, we ought to give thanks to the Divine Majesty, because the whole ordeal turned out to be a great blessing in disguise. Back-to-back, we just celebrated two of the greatest Jesuits of all time: Saint Edmund Campion and Saint Francis Xavier. Edmund Campion He was only…

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#Ignatian Saints

EI Edition 55: Ignatian 101 - Ignatian Contemplation

As we grow closer to Advent and Christmas, it would be remiss if we did not discuss one of the key ways in which we - as Ignatians - encounter the Divine Majesty on a daily basis: Ignatian Contemplation. Time for Ignatian 101.

As we grow closer to Advent (and, subsequently, Christmas), it would be remiss if we did not discuss one of the key ways in which we – as Ignatians – encounter the Divine Majesty on a daily basis: Ignatian Contemplation. Frankly, it is high time that we dive into one of our favorite segments here at EI: Ignatian 101. What does Ignatius say? 46. PRAYER. In the preparatory prayer I will beg God…

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#121 #45 #46 #48 #53 #54

Father Blackrobe 2 - Viking DNA

He has arrived. The first thing Father Blackrobe does when he arrives at his new assignment is go fishing. But he is not interested in bass and bluegill, he is interested in souls.

“Yeah, I just finished getting unpacked. Classes start on Monday.” . . . “I just got it in the mail. I am wearing it right now. You really didn’t have to do that, Dad. It must have cost a fortune,” said the teenager, her fingers toying with the axe pendant around her neck while the other hand holds the phone to her left ear. . . . “I’ve only met her once or twice, so I don’t know her too…

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#Father Blackrobe

Father Blackrobe 1 - The New Assignment

Meet Father Blackrobe. We will be starting a new endeavor here at EI: From time to time, we will be publishing short stories about this fictional Jesuit. It is our hope and prayer that Father Blackrobe will be transform the abstract into the concrete.

Letter from Father General Hopkins to Father Blackrobe Informing him of the New Assignment and Moving from Tokyo to Vermont To the Reverend Father Blackrobe Rome, May 22 May the grace and charity of our Lord Christ always help and favor us! Amen. I understand that it is rather unusual to receive a personal letter from the highest Jesuit authority. But I write to you today, not to condemn, but…

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#Father Blackrobe

EI Edition 54: Jesuits and Education

Gonzaga. Creighton. Marquette. Saint Louis. Holy Cross. Xavier. Since the Jesuits founded the Gregoriana in 1551, they have become the best educators in history. And they have fostered consistent results because they literally wrote the book on it.

Gonzaga. Creighton. Marquette. Saint Louis. Holy Cross. Xavier. Since the Jesuits founded the Gregoriana in 1551, they have gone on to become some of the best educators in history. And they have fostered consistent results because they literally wrote the book on it. Ratio atque Institutio Studiorum Societatis Iesu Known simply as the Ratio Studiorum, its success was found in its well-rounded…

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#Father Blackrobe

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