lookingland

bachsoprano reminded me of this story in a post about what it means to be a returning student ~ the humility it requires, but also the amazing things to which such courage can lead.

saint ignatius was a nobleman and soldier, who after a mystical conversion experience, decided to become a priest. but he was not a man of letters and so before he could be admitted to the seminary, he had to "catch up" on the holes in his education. he enrolled in classes to learn basic latin and grammar skills. his classmates were young children (ages 10-14). he was 33 years old.

saint ignatius went on to found the largest religious order in the world (the Society of Jesus ~ i.e. Jesuits) and his teachings form the basis of most spiritual direction today, 450 some-odd years later.

he's a great hero of mine.

: D