Pentecost

The Descent of the Holy Spirit

Since today is the Feast of Pentecost, I felt I should talk about this day. Some history and other general stuff should suffice I think.

There are some important events that happened on Pentecost. For one, Pentecost is the official start of the Church in 33 AD. It was the day on which the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles (and Mary) as tongues of fire which gave them the strength to begin spreading Christianity. It is pretty important feast.

During this day, the Apostles were still stuck in the Upper Room waiting for the Holy Spirit to come. It was a very nerve wracking time as the Apostles were worried that they would die just like their Lord. When the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles, they were filled with the strength to preach to the crowds that were coming into the city due to the Jewish feast. In fact, it was because of this festival that so many Christians were baptized on that very day. Due to the gift of tongues given by the Holy Spirit, they were able to communicate to all peoples from varying lands. It was a really great day for the Church.

Now in the modern era, the Church calendar still celebrates this feast on fifty days after Easter (well roughly since it will be on the closest Sunday). Since the day commemorates the Holy Spirit's descent, the liturgical color for this day is red instead of white. Also this feast is one of the most well-known examples of Confirmation as the gifts of the Holy Spirit were given to those in the Upper Room; one of the most famous gifts, the gift of tongues, displayed before the crowds leading the conversion of many. The Descent of the Holy Spirit is also the 3rd Glorious Mystery as well for the Rosary. 

God's Glory

"Gloria Dei est vivens homo." This is latin for "the Glory of God is the living man" a quote originally stated by Saint Irenaeus.  This is a statement which most people interoperate as "The Glory of God is man FULLY alive" This is because God wanted for us to live the best that we can and that is our true goal to please our Father.

But what does "The Glory of God is man fully alive" really mean? Well this means that each of us have calling, something which God calls us to do. Have you ever had that feeling that whatever you do not satisfy you enough as you would like? Well this is because you are not really being fulfilled. The only thing which can fulfill us is God, and if we don't move toward God calls us to do we are not living as fully alive. Because of Original Sin no man can be fully alive. Original Sin gave us the consequences of clouding our judgment and limiting will; therefore, no man can truly achieve call calls him to do.

Not being able to and not trying are two different things. Just because we fail at something doesn't mean we can't get close to achieving it. We must always strive to do what God calls us to do and eventually we might get very very very close, enough to be called that we are "fully alive". This is not mean that everyone should go become a priest. But we should all do what God calls us to do. Like if you are called to be a priest and become a priest. But if you're being called to be a surgeon or a accountant or lawyer then you should be what God calls you to do. 

We must always strive to do what we can please God. We must please Him and love Him. Simply the glory of God is man doing what God called for us to do and therefore live full lives in God.

Saint Ignatius Of Loyola

St. Ignatius of Loyola was a Spanish knight from a local Basque noble family, hermit, priest since 1537, and theologian, who founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and was its first Superior General. Ignatius emerged as a religious leader during the Counter-Reformation. Loyola's devotion to the Catholic Church was characterized by absolute obedience to the Pope.

After being seriously wounded in the Battle of Pamplona in 1521, he underwent a spiritual conversion while in recovery. De Vita Christi by Ludolph of Saxony inspired Loyola to abandon his previous military life and devote himself to labour for God, following the example of spiritual leaders such as Francis of Assisi. In September 1523, Loyola reached the Holy Land to settle there, but was sent back to Europe by the Franciscans.

Ignatius and a few followers bound themselves by vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. In 1539, they formed the Society of Jesus, approved in 1540 by Pope Paul III, as well as his Spiritual Exercises approved in 1548. Loyola also composed the Constitutions of the Society. He died in July 1556, was beatified by Pope Paul V in 1609, canonized by Pope Gregory XV in 1622, and declared patron of all spiritual retreats by Pope Pius XI in 1922. Ignatius' feast day is celebrated on July 31. Ignatius is a foremost patron saint of soldiers, the Society of Jesus, the Basque Country, and the provinces of Guipúzcoa and Biscay.

St. Ignatius lived a very amazing life, from his career as a soldier and as a priest through his conversion and life as a priest. Ignatius never truly stopped being a soldier. He just instead of fighting for the kingdom of the Spanish king he fought for the kingdom of God. He swears allegiance to the King's representatives in the world, the pope. The Jesuits are the only religious group in the world who swore allegiance to the pope. He is an incredible role model for Jesuits and non-Jesuits alike.