Creighton University - Bluejay Yearbook (Omaha, NE)

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Contents Admrnlstratron Life at Creighton Spiritual Societij Athletics Seniors Index

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Over 400 years ago St. Ignatius ol l.ovola knelt at tl e icet ol Poj)e . iul 111 to receive the decree uhicli was to approve a new religious bod y, the Society ol Jesus. Tliat the blessing ol Gotl was upon this man ' s ellorts is evidenced by the continued growth ol the Society. We ol the twentieth century still benelit Ironi this Society, whose lieedoni and llexibility have permitted her to adapt to the needs and changing circ innstances ol each succeeding generation. Such a heritage demands recognition. Therelore on this (|uadracentenial anniversary ol the death ol St. Ignatius ol Loyola we dedicate this vork to the lounder ol the Society ol fesus, hoping that in some manner we have given expression to his educational and leligious principles.

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A M D Q In 1491 in the castle ot Loyola in Spain there w as born a man who leit a deep and lasting impression on the lite and growth of the Catholic Church. His name was Ignatius Loyola. As a youth he served as a page in the court of Ferdinand and Isabella; there he became well versed in the chivalry of his age. Not choosing to follow the clerical life for which he had been destined, he devoted him- self to the arts of war. Small and fierce in temper, he was well suited to an army career. Then, during the French attack upon the fortress of Pampeluna, he was wounded. Forced to lay aside his arms, this gallant Spanish knight lay in a dismal castle for many months. To such a man of action this confinement was worse than im- prisonment. The physical pain he could bear; but his restless mind craved for nourishment. Small satisfaction was awarded him in a Life of Christ and a popular FUnoers of the Saints. To these books he turned, at first disheartedly, after- wards eagerly. Touched by the heroism of the saints and inspired by the heights to which these men — popes, martyrs, scholars, missionaries — had attained, Ignatius cried out, What these men have done, I can with the Grace of God do. Though his conversion was complete, twenty years were spent completing the plan for his life ' s work. Following a general confession at the Benedictine sanctuary of Moonsterrat and eleven months of prayer and fasting in the cave of Manresa, he journeyed to the Holy Land. When he returned to Europe, he began his stu- dies of Latin; in 1535 he completed his philoso- phy and theology at the University of Paris. In the preceeding year he and six companions had pronounced their vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Unable to fulfill a vow to go to Palestine, they placed themselves at the disposal of the Holy Father. Pope Pius III in 1540 ap- proved a preliminary draft of a constitution for the group which was to be known as the Society of Jesus. Ignatius was elected its general; he continued to govern that Society until his death on July 31, 1556. Thus passed the years of the life of Ignatius of Loyola. What has passed dur- ing the year at Creighton?