My journey with St. Ignatius is perculiar and interesting.
Although I was a seminarian for a long time, I didn’t know him and had no idea of the Jesuits. Along the way, however, I had gotten to know “the greater glory of God” and was fascinated by St. Ignatius’ life journey. It is similar to my life and his conversion was something I would like to bring about.
Entering the Gesu church in Rome, I became humble by acknowledging a special friendship that St. Iganatius and I enjoy now. The Jesuits’ way of proceeding would be my way of proceeding and a way to find God in all things would be my way to practice spirituality every day. For the greater glory of God, I feel my vocation is to adapt and use anything to bring up God’s plans for all. The Ignatius’ maxim, “Work as if everything depends on you; pray as if everything depends on God,” is a classic that I put my priestly vocation together.
Kneeling before the tomb of St. Ignatius, I thought of his conversion and zeal for the gospel. It was life-giving and nurtuting to the world. His story has become a story of many young men who have dedicated their lives to save as many souls as possible. I see myself one of them. I was on my knee on the holy ground, imagining how many young men have knelt before the greatest hero in the Christianity. Although his body laid quietly, his spirit stired my heart to be full of adventuerous spirit to consider the whole world as my home.
St. Francis Xavier, a life-time friend of St. Ignatius, sleeps across at the Gesu. St. Xavier’s one hand was a striking image that seemed to say, “Here I am, Lord! Take me as you want.” Responding to the call to the mission, St. Xavier stepped into to the unknown lands and it would be only possible with total surrender to God’s providence.
Where am I? What’s in my mind? Am I ready to taking God’s calling to go to the unknown land anytime? Am I willing to giving up my life by choosing God’s calling?
Many questions remain unanswered. Nevertheless, I feel blessed to kneel before the concrete and living examples of the life, the life of truth.