Photo: Some religious and novices in the “Chapel of Conversion” in the Sanctuary of Loyola. © Servants of Jesus
During Holy Week, some religious and novices of the Servants of Jesus made their Spiritual Exercises. After the exercises and to celebrate Easter, the novice master, Fr. Sergio Rodriguez, S. de J., accompanied them on a pilgrimage to Lourdes in the spirit of Ignatius.
Loyola and Aránzazu
This spirit led them in a first stage to the birthplace of St. Ignatius in Loyola, Guipúzcoa. After visiting the house and the baptismal font, the pilgrims celebrated Holy Mass in the “Chapel of Conversion”, that is, in the place where, according to the Autobiography, St. Ignatius was converted after a long period of convalescence.
Another key moment was the climb to Aránzazu, a Marian shrine to which Ignatius himself had a special devotion. There, high in the mountains of the Basque Country, religious and students renewed their commitment to follow the Lord in the Ignatian way. renewed their commitment to follow the Lord in the Ignatian way, with Mary as mother and guide.with Mary as their mother and guide.
Sanctuary of Lourdes
The second part of the pilgrimage took them to Lourdes where Our Lady appeared to St. Bernadette. There they prayed especially for vocations, their own and those of so many young people who today are searching for meaning in their lives. In addition, we prayed for our sick confreres, who so often teach us the strength of faith in the midst of suffering.
In addition to participating in the torchlight procession and visiting the grotto of the apparitions, they spent time reinforcing Marian piety, recognizing Mary as a model of docility, humility and total surrender to God’s plan.