Composition of PlaceOct 17, 2011
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Morning has broken
Early breakfast
| At the start of the Spiritual Exercises, Ignatius advises that one should “see the place”. He calls this the “composition”. Our first full day here in Loyola provided us the opportunity to “see the place” and be present. It was a full but restful day, nice not to be on a plane or a bus. After breakfast, we gathered to pray the Liturgy of the Hours in the chapel of the Arrupe Hotel. Following prayer, we walked to the Loyola Family Castle and toured the three floors. We celebrated Mass in the Chapel of the Conversion on the third-floor. The Chapel is located in the bedroom where Ignatius convalesced from his battle injury. It was there during long weeks of recuperation that Ignatius read a copy of the life of Christ and a book on the saints and experienced the beginning of his conversion. It was also the beginning of spiritual discernment, or discernment of spirits, which Ignatius describes in his Spiritual Exercises. Celebrating Mass in that place was a moving experience. Our prayer points for the day focused on “doors that closed and opened” for Ignatius in that very bedroom, "doors that have closed and opened” in our own lives, and our desires as we go forward on pilgrimage. By late morning, the fog had lifted, the sun was shining, and we went on with our day: a tour of the Basilica, time for individual prayer, formal introductions and faith-sharing, evening prayer, and dinner. We are pilgrims greatly blessed to be following in the footsteps of the Pilgrim. |
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