St. Ignatius Feast and Final Vows

Will be heading to the airport in Ljubljana in about three hours.  Fortunately packing, which hasn't begun, will take no time at all.  Every bit of clothing I brought has been used.  Am simply going to stuff it in the suitcase.  Everything goes into the wash over the weekend.  Fortunately, I'm not scheduled for any Masses until Sunday so here will be time to wash etc over the weekend.

Yesterday, on the Feast of St. Ignatius, Fr. Tomaž Mikuš, SJ pronounced his final vows in the Society.  I had the privilege, honor, and, I will admit, fun, of taking photos.  Took lots.  The ones included below are a small sampling.  Prior to Mass there was an hour of prayer, including the rosary, for the intention of an increase in vocations to the Society of Jesus and to religious life.   Afterwards came the vow Mass celebrated by RP Ivan Bresciani, SJ.

Sitting at the back of the church during the prayers for vocations.

A shot of the congregation from under the altar.  This was about 30 minutes before the Mass began.  When it did begin all seats were taken with some standees at the back.

The ciboria and chalice for the Mass.

Vesting in the sacristy.

 
Procession into the church.

Celebrants.

Opening of the Mass. Fr. Damjan Ristič, SJ, is pastor.  He is the unbearded one (not counting the acolytes who have yet to learn of the joys of shaving).

Some of the Jesuit community in Ljubljana and elsewhere.

During the Mass from behind the main altar.

The first reading.

Listening to the homily.

RP Ivan Bresciani, SJ during the homily.

Fr. Tomaž reading the prayers of the faithful.

Preparing for the vows.  Jesuits, unlike all other orders who pronounce their vows at the offertory, pronounce theirs at communion, kneeling in front of the elevated Body and Blood of Our Lord.  This is how Ignatius and his original companions did it when they were formally founded.

Waiting to begin.  It helped that I know what is happening, when and where it is happening, and that I don't have a lot of time to get the shots.

"Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof .  . . . (in Slovenian).

Pronouncing the vow formula.

Addressing the congregation just before the conclusion of Mass.

Jesuits heading into the sacristy for the signing of the documents, another unique trait of Jesuit vows. Most other orders have the solemnly professed sign the documents on the altar.  We sign ours in the sacristy of the church following the Mass.

Signing the documents in triplicate.  The man must handwrite them.   He uses one of the copies to pronounce the vow formula.

Signing is a sobering moment.  I pronounced final vows five years ago on 1 October.

There was a large outdoor reception afterwards in the garden adjacent to the church and community. 

+Fr. Jack, SJ, MD