On July 31, the feast day of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the General Government and the five Provincial Superiors of the Congregation—who have been participating in Rome since July 23 in the meeting convened by the General Government —celebrated a special day: the Mass at the Church of the Gesù, presided over by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.
A Mass that brings together the entire Ignatian family
Jesuits from all the communities in Rome take part in this Eucharist, along with men and women religious from other congregations and laypeople who share the Ignatian charism and draw inspiration from the life and holiness of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
The Church of the Gesù, the mother of all Jesuit churches and the place where the remains of St. Ignatius rest, is also a significant site for the Daughters of Jesus: it was in Rome, in the quest to have Ignatian spirituality recognized as the Congregation’s own charism, that St. Candida Maria of Jesus fought tirelessly for Constitutions faithful to that initial inspiration.
Cándida María de Jesús’ devotion to Saint Ignatius began very early in her life. While still a child, at the parish church of Santa María de Tolosa, she paused before an image of the saint, who was holding the Constitutions in his hands, and said to him, “My saint, I want to do what that book says.” That simple gesture would set the course for her entire vocation: she always sought the spiritual guidance of the Jesuits, and it was precisely through them that Ignatian spirituality gradually shaped her path toward the founding of a new religious congregation.
A celebration that brings the entire Congregation together
That is why celebrating the Eucharist today at the Gesù is not only a gesture of communion with the universal Ignatian family, but also a return to the very roots of the Daughters of Jesus. Every Province, every community, and every school that educates in the manner of Mother Candida draws from that same source: a charism that, born of the Spiritual Exercises and the following of Christ, remains alive and fruitful.
This gesture, shared by the General Government, the Provincial Governments, and the Society of Jesus, is a vivid expression of the communion that sustains the Ignatian family throughout the world.
The Daughters of Jesus present at this celebration join, from Rome, all the Daughters of Jesus, communities, and schools around the world that are also celebrating this saint today. As a Congregation, we give thanks for the life and holiness of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, whose charism continues to inspire our journey.
