Journeying with St Ignatius

Day 9: They show us the path!

Sometimes I wonder! I think! I reflect!


I wonder…Why did Bishop Linus Gomes SJ, after his retirement from the diocese volunteer to work in Bangladesh along with other Jesuits? What inspires him to make himself available for the service of the Church, when he could have easily spent his days in a retirement house in Calcutta or elsewhere in India?

Journeying with St Ignatius

Day 8: He changed the world!


Only the other day I happened to meet an Indian Priest in the room of St Ignatius, at Geus, Rome. Pointing out the height of St Ignatius, he said ‘this was man who changed the world.’

Each time I visit the room of St Ignatius, I discover something new – may be just a simple thought! I wonder…I reflect…and he becomes more real to me…

Journeying with St Ignatius

Day 7: I’m a sinner!


“God who loves us creates us and wants to share life with us forever. Our love response takes shape in our praise and honor and service of the God of our life.”(Taken from ‘draw me into your friendship’)…

One of the things which I was/am able to accept in the light of Ignatian spirituality is my ‘sins’. I know God loves me and he wants to share his love with me even though I am a sinner. This motivates me to go ahead. All I know is that, ‘I came from God, I am belong to God and I am destined for God.’

‘I’m a sinner yet called to be the companion of Jesus…’

Journeying with St Ignatius

Day 6: God has His own plan!


I do believe that one of the main reasons to join the Jesuits was to become a missionary. But after joining the Jesuits I came to know that I have to be ‘missionary in my own country’. Even I will not be able to work in my province Calcutta (India) due to visa problem. I accepted it as God’s plan.

Journeying with St Ignatius

Day 5: Wanted to find, and found HIM


The other day I found the following sentences in my diary, which were taken from the Autobiography of St Ignatius: ‘’He made a solemn avowal…that his devotion, that is, his ease in finding God, was always increasing, now more than ever in his entire life. At whatever time or hour he wanted to find God, he found him.’’

Journeying with St Ignatius

Day 4: MAGIS


‘When will you finish your formation? When will be ordained a priest?’ These are the few questions I kept on hearing from my near and dear ones, who wish to see me a priest as soon as possible. Each time I face with such type of questions, I just give a smile. I do not blame them for such type of questions as some of my companions who studied with me, have already received ordination to priesthood in different Orders. But personally ‘do I regret for such a long formation?’ My simple answer is NO. Rather I enjoy, because it gives me more time to reflect over life and prepare myself better.

Journeying with St Ignatius

Day 3: Finding God in all things

I read about St Ignatius, I listened to many people about St Ignatius, then, what did I do? Have I stopped with it? This is a very timely question to reflect over. I consider that some of the experiments I did during novitiate were in a way to experience Ignatian spirit.

Journeying with St Ignatius

Day 2: St Ignatius: beginning of my relationship!


It did not take much time to find out what would be the novitiate life like. In a very simple term, ‘it was sort of intense life- withdrawing oneself almost from the rest of the world and fully immerse in spirituality, meditation, prayer, personality growth, community building and so on’. I would rather avoid narrating my novitiate life at this stage!

Journeying with St Ignatius

Day 1: St Ignatius and my life

(St Ignatius of Loyola was not a familiar name before I joined the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). But ever since I joined the Jesuits, he has become my ‘FATHER’. The more I read about him or listen to someone about him, he becomes more real to me. I am fascinated by his spirituality, philosophy and idealism of life. I have encountered a number of Jesuits, who have lived out or are living out the life of St Ignatius. As we prepare to celebrate the feast of St Ignatius I thought of penning my personal thoughts on St Ignatius. This is not a scholarly writing or research paper rather it should be treated as my personal reflection.)

Another new language!

I have just begun learning another new language. Two weeks have passed since I arrived in Rome. One week has passed since I began learning Italian. Italian is being spoken all around me. Hardly anyone in my community speaks English. I do find it difficult for not being able to express myself. But this forces me to speak Italian. In other word, I have to speak Italian to survive.


I must admit that so far I found the language quite easy. I am also trying my level best. Practically whole day I am immersed in the world of Italian. My dream is that within one month i should be able to express myself in Italian. I dream to write an article in Italian and post on my blog...is it too much! Too ambitious! But I have to do...I have a long way to go before i sleep..............................ciao.....

Life in Rome

Life beginning in Rome


Finally I am in Rome! Things happened so quickly. There are many surprises in my life. Sometimes I wonder – am I worthy of all these surprises! But things come along the way…