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 St. Ignatius on Ecumenism by Corina

We stumbled on Chiesa del Gesu when we went around town to visit churches. I have a soft spot for St. Ignatius of Loyola because I’m the only Regis College student studying Ecumenism here in Rome from the TST. Although I haven’t taken the full Spiritual Exercise course, I have attended a silent retreat at Manresa last year hosted by the Jesuits. I have experienced a lot of healing from the silent retreat and would strongly recommend it to anyone.

How is this related to ecumenism? I think that for us to be open to having a dialogue with the other, we need to have space or make space for the other, inside of ourselves. If we’re consumed by our thoughts (i.e., unpurified memory) there will be very little room (or no room at all) to listen to understand (rather than to be understood).

St. Ignatius also coined the term discernment. In practicing ecumenical virtues, to strive and persevere to experience consolation (as opposed to desolation) is necessary to have a meaningful dialogue. We can only harvest the fruits of the Holy Spirit in ecumenical dialogue if we are able to move past quickly the moments where we're experiencing desolation.

                                                        Altar & Tomb of St. Ignatius
                                                            Front of the Church 
                                                    Melinda & Christine at The Pantheon

                        Celebrated Canada Day Mass at the Canadian Martyrs Church 
                                        presided by Archbishop Frank Leo

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