This Summer, nine members of our faculty and staff are walking a route in Spain with sites related to the life of St. Ignatius. The following post by Ms. Madeline Maggard is the third in a series of their reflections.
What is a pilgrim? According to Dictionary.com a pilgrim is one who journeys to a sacred or holy place.
Today in some ways felt anticlimactic. We visited the birth place of San Ignacio as well as where he was baptized, convalesced, rested, taught and cared for the inferm. What a day! The Basilica of San Ignacio offered us a glimpse into his beginnings as the family house is contained inside the sanctuary. Not only did Iñigo go through a transformation but his family must have also. Ignatius, as he chose to call himself after conversion, decided that, upon his return from Paris, he would lead a humble life and would sleep and work from the “hospital” outside of town. Here he was among the beggars, lepers, and indigent and served the Lord.
As my peregrinos and I contemplate and reflect on today in preparation for tomorrow, the life of Ignatius and his conversion experience are fresh in our minds.
Tonight our group reflection centered on what today meant to us as well as what intentions we held in our hearts. Many of is shared petitions of friends and family. In addition, we spoke candidly about our hopes, aspirations, and fears for the upcoming days. We are all humble “peregrinos” who have many silent as well as open intentions that we carry along with us.
¡Ojalá que tengamos un buen camino juntos con Dios!
