Saturday, March 30, 2013

Easter Of 1541

It was now necessary to proceed to the choice of a Superior. Hitherto they had none, for Ignatius abstained from all supremacy or dictation; on every point (except the name) the opinion of all the members was asked; when government was necessary, they exercised it in turn. 
Now that they were recognized as an order, they required a head; and in the Easter of 1541, Ignatius summoned all to Rome who 1541. could come, the others were to send their vote in writing. 
Only five could be collected; Brouet came from Sienna, Laynez from Parma, Le Jay from Brescia, Bobadilla was at Bisignano, in the kingdom of Naples; there the inhabitants petitioned the Pope that they might retain him, and the Pope forbade him to return. He had not time to send his written vote, but afterwards declared that he should have chosen like the rest. 
In prospect of this election, Xavier and Rodriguez had left their votes sealed up at Rome. Faber sent his, copied twice over, for fear of accident, from Worms, where he was attending at the Diet. Those who could come, reached Rome as soon as possible, because there was much to do. 
They had desired their Father Ignatius to form a plan for them—this was now considered, closely examined and adopted. Then the election was deferred till April 7, that all might pass three days in prayer, abstaining from consulting with one another. On the 7th the sealed papers were opened. Ignatius Ignatius was named by all.
Link (here) to read the full account of St. Ignatius of Loyola's election as the Superior General of The Society of Jesus

2 comments:

TonyD said...

It is significant that they spent three days in prayer. About prayer -- knowing what to ask is important, and that both constrains and expands God’s possible responses. God doesn't want to respond with His judgment and values. He wants to respond with our values, the values we are allowed to freely choose.

What we ask in prayer reflects our values and judgments. God doesn't want to do things outside our specific requests, since there are consequences to answered prayers.

Contrary to popular interpretations, there are many “harmful” prayers. Too many prayers request constraints on the free will of others and too many prayers ask for changes to specific sequences that have been long planned – that is, changes to lesson sequences.

Maria said...

"Now, in the resurrection, all is repaired: Jerusalem is filled with His triumph;the judges who condemned Him are confounded; the soldiers, who insulted Him as a seducer and madman, are the first witnesses of His glory; his disciples who abandoned Him everywhere, proclaim His resurrection; the angels and the holy souls He has delivered from Limbus bless Him s the conqeuerer of death and hell".

The Glory of Jesus in His resurrection. Exercises

Alleluia. Our Joy is risen. Happy Easter!