Whose Standard Do You Follow?
Whose Standard?” That is the question posed by St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. But first, would I be out of line to say that the Society of Jesus is not what it used to be? I don’t want to be a Jebbie basher: I have studied under and worked with many Jesuits over the years. I have liked most of them, even admired a few. There are a few Jesuits in public life who are eloquent expositors and defenders of the faith as handed on by the Apostles. Fr.s Fessio and Pacwa, for instance, and Fr. Schall before he passed away several years ago come to mind.
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
(Galatians 2:20)
These Jesuit defenders of Catholic orthodoxy are outliers, unfortunately. A Jesuit of my acquaintance once dismissively referred to Fr. Fessio as “a complicated man.” The clear implication was that his brothers in the Society would disown him if they could. It’s no surprise that the public face of the Society of Jesus today does not belong to Fr. Fessio or Fr. Pacwa. No, by far the most recognizable S.J. right now is Fr. James Martin. His mission does not seem to be preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ so much as celebrating, well, more earthy pursuits.
Two Different Lives
It wasn’t always that way. For a very long time the Jesuits followed the mold of their founder, St. Ignatius Loyola. We celebrate his feast day today, July 31st. Like St. Paul, who told the Galatians he had been “Crucified with Christ,” Ignatius lived two different lives . . .
Featured image top of page: “Ignatius is wounded at the Battle of Pamplona” by Albert Chevallier-Tayler, 1904
