Ignatian Heritage Week: February 7-13
Loyola’s Ignatian Heritage Week celebration highlights the living legacy of St. Ignatius Loyola [1491-1556], founder of the Society of Jesus [1540] and Patron of Loyola University Chicago. We invite the entire Loyola community to explore and recognize the diverse gifts we have received from the living legacy of St. Ignatius Loyola. Download Brochure here.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7
12:00 Noon: Soup and Substance
The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola
Simpson Multipurpose Room
A panel of faculty and staff will discuss their experiences of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola and its impact on their work and lives. Information will also be provided on opportunities to participate in this retreat here at Loyola. Please join us for food that feeds both body and spirit!
The Spiritual Exercises are an unfolding series of prayers, meditations and reflections put together by St. Ignatius of Loyola out of his own personal spiritual experience and that of others to whom he listened. St. Ignatius wrote the manual of the Spiritual Exercises as a guide to those engaged in making them. They honor the uniqueness of each retreatant and lead him/her into a deeper relationship with self, God, and others. The Spiritual Exercises are the bedrock for Ignatian spirituality and inform the mission and Jesuit, Catholic identity of Loyola University Chicago.
4 PM: Jesuits and the Papacy
Fr. Thomas Worcester, SJ
Piper Hall
In 1540 Pope Paul III approved creation of the Society of Jesus. Since that time Jesuits have been available to be missioned by the bishop of Rome to a wide variety of works all across the globe. But the papacy has not always been favorable to Jesuits, and some Jesuits have been critical of the papacy. This talk explores some of the complexities of good and bad relations between Jesuits and the papacy over five centuries.
Thomas Worcester, SJ, is a Visiting Professor at Loyola University, Spring term 2011. He is Professor of History at the College of the Holy Cross, and specializes in the religious history of early modern France and Italy. He is the editor of The Cambridge Companion to the Jesuits (Cambridge University Press, 2008), and co-editor, with James Corkery, S.J., of The Papacy since 1500: From Italian Prince to Universal Pastor (Cambridge University Press, 2010).
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8
7 PM: Laughing with the Saints: Joy, Humor and Laughter in the Spiritual Life.
Fr. James Martin, SJ
Mundelein Center Auditorium
Who says that being religious means being gloomy? Let Father James Martin, a best selling author, show you how the saints’ lives were filled with laughter, how humor is an essential element of a healthy spiritual life and how true faith leads to joy. All this and some great jokes, too.
This event is sponsored in association with the Institute of Pastoral Studies.
James Martin, SJ, is a Jesuit priest, author and culture editor of America magazine. Father Martin is the author the New York Times bestseller The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything and My Life with the Saints, named by Publishers Weekly a “Best Book” of the year. A frequent commentator in the national and international media, he has written for The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and blogs for HuffingtonPost. Father Martin has appeared on all the major networks and in venues as diverse as NPR’s “Fresh Air with Terry Gross,” Fox TV’s “The O’Reilly Factor” and Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report,” where he is the show’s “official chaplain.”
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9
12: 00 Noon: Mid-Day Prayer: Examen of Consciousness
Bremner Lounge
Dave Godleski, SJ, will lead the group in a guided examen of consciousness, a method of prayer and reflection in the Ignatian tradition. This type of prayer sifts through the various daily movements and actions of our hearts and minds and helps us to see both how God has been working through these movements and also our own response to God’s loving actions.
The practice of doing a daily examen often assists us to grow in self-knowledge and facilitates our decision-making process during times of changes in our lives.
This Mid-Day Prayer is sponsored by the Department of Sacramental Life.
7:00 PM: The Jesuits: Who ARE They?
Ignatius House (6324 N Kenmore Avenue)
Join us for a meet-and-greet with members of the Jesuit Community and learn more about the “Men in Black” who study, teach and serve as staff and administrators at Loyola University Chicago.
9:30 PM: Taize Prayer
Madonna della Strada Chapel
Taizé Prayer is a liturgy filled with song, scripture and silent meditation. The sanctuary is candlelit, making a space that is ready for meditative silence and song. The music of Taizé is repetitive and chant-like. The simple melodies wed to simple texts enable you to easily enter into the prayer and enter into a place of profound meditation. The service quickly grabs your intellect and promises to renew your spirit.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10
12:00 Noon: Lunch and Learn
Colleagues in Mission: A Panel Discussion
Bremner Lounge
Faculty and staff discuss their experiences of working toward the goals and ideals of the Jesuit mission of the university through participation in the Ignatian Colleagues Program. A simple meal will be provided.
9 PM : JESUIT JAM 2011
(Free post-game party after Ramblers’ men’s game vs. Milwaukee)
Alumni Gym
Loyola University Chicago students and fans are invited to attend the annual Jesuit Jam immediately following the Ramblers’ men’s basketball game versus Milwaukee at 7 p.m. in the Gentile Center. The first 500 Loyola students entering the Gentile Center will receive a free Jesuit Jam t-shirt and a raffle ticket for special prizes.
The post-game festivities in Alumni Gym on the Lake Shore Campus will feature free pizza and soda, as well as raffle prizes, Jesuit trivia and entertainment. The Jesuit Jam is also a great opportunity to mingle with the Loyola’s Jesuit community.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11
12:00 Noon: Ignatius and the City
Fr. Thomas Lucas, SJ
McCormick Lounge
From its origins in Renaissance Rome to 21st century Chicago, the Jesuit order has always targeted great cities. St. Ignatius himself understood and use the “multiplier effect” when he devised urban ministries of preaching, social work and teaching that became the model for Jesuit engagement in great cities around the globe.
At this presentation by Fr. Thomas Lucas, SJ, a simple lunch will be available.
Thomas Lucas S.J., is professor of art and architecture at the University of San Francisco, and an internationally recognized liturgical artist and designer. His works include the restoration of the rooms of St. Ignatius in Rome, the Chapel at the Jesuit School of Theology, Berkeley, and the Guadalupe and St. Ignatius Chapels at St. Ignatius Church, San Francisco. He is presently serving as design consultant and coordinator for the renovation of St. Ignatius Cathedral, Shanghai. Fr. Lucas holds a Ph.D. in Theology and the Arts from G.T.U. in Berkeley, and has written and lectured widely on the interface between faith and art.
9 PM: Film: “The Mission”
Life Science Building Auditorium – Room 142
This Oscar-winning film of 1986 includes Jeremy Irons, Robert de Niro, and Liam Neeson among its cast. “The Mission” recounts the story of some of the personal and political struggles involved in the “Reductions” of South America as Jesuits attempted to evangelize the people and build a peaceful society.
Join us in watching this stunningly beautiful and engaging film and for the discussion afterwards.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12
9 AM: Committed to Service: Volunteer at St. Procopius in Pilsen
Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago
A key dimension of our Ignatian heritage is a commitment to service of those in need, especially the materially poor. You are invited to be a part of this volunteer opportunity of working in a soup kitchen at St. Procopius Parish in Pilsen, on the lower west side of Chicago. Pilsen is at the center of the Mexican American community in the city.
Our day will begin with an introduction to the campus and activities of St. Procopius Parish. We will then assist with providing meals to those in need, and conclude with a short discussion/reflection on the day will take place.
If you are interested in participating, please contact Fr. Dave Godleski, SJ at dgodleski@luc.edu. The number of places available is stricted limited so please make your reservation as soon as possible.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13
9:00 PM: Sunday Mass
Madonna della Strada Chapel
Fr. Brian Paulson, SJ, rector of the Loyola University Jesuit Community, will preside at this Mass to bring to a prayerful conclusion our celebration of Ignatian Heritage Week.