Commentary 25/07/31 Ignatius Loyola and ourselves

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In Ignatian 'discernment,' we have the key to resolving many of today’s conflicts

Published:
July 31, 2025 04:00 AM GMT ▾

A picture of St. Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556), the founder of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits, who became the society's first superior general in 1541. (Photo: Goergetown)

When a young man joined the Jesuits years ago — or a young woman joined a convent, for that matter — what was outstanding in his character was a strong idealism, and an equally high degree of motivation.

He was entering a challenging life of physical austerity, arduous study, working with the poor and the marginalized, or volunteering for distant missions.

Society at large supported such ideals and respected those who opted for them. This was because self-sacrifice was accepted as a part of life, unlike today.

However, as the young person grew older in the religious life, he realized that idealism took a backseat.

In the institutional atmosphere of many Church organizations, attitudes of adjustment and compliance were often rewarded over initiative and courage. Security and protectiveness took precedence over freedom to experiment; and conformity — masked as obedience — became the greatest value of all.

Nothing surprising about all this. The same process of socialization is at work, whether in Church organizations, within marriage and families, or in political parties.

No, it isn’t the same Society of Jesus anymore, any more than we’re the same persons of ten or twenty years ago. Whether we’re better or worse is perhaps a matter of argument. But what is certainly interesting is that we can raise questions and explore alternatives to an extent unthinkable in earlier times.

That is the measure of how society — and not just the Jesuits — have changed.

It wasn’t always so. In an earlier age, choices once made were made for life. In most cases, one didn’t choose on one’s own — the decision was made by another, a senior person; and one just accepted it “for your own good”. There was a permanence and finality about it.

Thus, marriages could not be dissolved by divorce or separation. Once you started a job, you rarely changed careers in mid-life. And in religious life, you did what the superior asked without question. Those who thought otherwise and left the seminary were called “spoiled priests.”

How different from today!

Life today is marked by greater freedom and openness. We can question, discuss alternatives, decide for ourselves, choose and revoke our choices, and even dissent from conventional opinions.

And this is becoming more and more available, not just to the rich and powerful, but also to the young, to women, to dalits and minorities, to almost everyone.

Its greatest impact has been felt in the Church.

Much of our religious upbringing was, sadly, just indoctrination. “Father says so, do it!” There was no freedom to ask questions or disagree. But now, there is, and that’s the biggest difference between then and today.

Would Ignatius Loyola be comfortable with these changing times?

After all, he himself lived in times of tumultuous change — when half of Europe had split from a venal and corrupt papacy, and was talking of a “reformed” Church where each believer would have direct access to God.

Ignatius, too, believed in direct access to God, which is why he developed a set of “spiritual exercises" to help individuals encounter God step by step in their lives and embrace their calling with love.

His Spiritual Exercises changed the lives of thousands and so transformed the Catholic world.

Jesuits are known for their obedience, especially to the pope. Indeed, Pope Pius XI is believed to have quipped, “You have to be a pope to know the value of the Jesuits!”

Although Ignatius wanted his men to be loyal to the Church, “blind obedience” was never his preferred value. His preference was for the “obedience of judgment,” where the mind guides the will to accept a decision even in difficult circumstances.

But this is only half the story. The other half, more critical today perhaps, is that Ignatius Loyola was also a master at “discernment” — understanding the welter of feelings which frequently confounds the soul, and leading it towards what God really wants.

In this, he was an expert “soul-guide”, a master of the practical, a wise friend to the confused, a support to the faint-hearted. 

Is discernment the need of the hour today as we face conflicts at every level — family, neighborhood, region, and nation? Who will help us discern what God wants when faced with pressures from all sides? And strong feelings frequently overpower cool reason?

Perhaps Ignatius Loyola hasn’t lost his relevance yet.

*The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official editorial position of UCA News.