Visit Ignatius' rooms

A report here on an initiative in Rome to open up some of the spaces where Ignatius lived and died - some of which have not been open to the public for 470 years.

There's a lovely short video to look at if you click on the link... And (something to consider at this time of year) a glimpse of the painting of the Holy Family which Ignatius loved so much that he asked for his bed to be placed where he could gaze at it when he lay dying.

"I will make myself a poor little unworthy slave... Look upon them, contemplate them and serve them."

Christmas blessings to all!

Peter Faber canonised

Yesterday, on his birthday, Pope Francis canonised Peter Faber - someone he greatly admires and, of course, co-founder with Ignatius of the Jesuits. News here, and a reflection and extract from a new book here - this is a quote:

Hardly any retreatant since Ignatius himself made these Exercises with the single-mindedness and fervour of Faber. In later years Ignatius used to say that none of the first generation of Jesuits could give the Exercises as well as Faber. He certainly emerged from his thirty days retreat imbued with the conviction that in all things a man should try to discover the will of God, and having discerned it immediately do it.