My first personal encounter with St. Ignatius of Loyola, the man whose feast we celebrate today, came in 2008 when I was applying to join the Society of Jesus.
As part of the discernment process, young men aspiring to become Jesuits are invited to live a period of candidacy. The exact length of this process can vary from one Province to another but, my candidacy in the Chad Region of the West Africa Province lasted two years. During that time, I was assigned to serve as the “bursar” or treasurer of Lycée-Collège St. Charles Lwanga while also teaching religion.
This experience became far more than a professional assignment; it marked my first encounter with the Ignatian way of proceeding. It also gave me the opportunity to witness firsthand how Jesuit education and social ministry transform lives by forming young people intellectually, spiritually, morally, and in their commitment to serving others
Looking back today, I recognize that God was quietly kindling within me the same fire that burned in the heart of Jeremiah: “within me there is something like a burning fire…I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.” (Jeremiah 20:9, NRSVCE). The mission of the Society of Jesus is not simply a work to be accomplished; it is a call that captures the heart and compels one to serve.
Over the years, I have seen the profound impact of Jesuit education and social ministry in Chad. Jesuit schools provide more than academic excellence; they offer holistic formation rooted in faith, integrity, compassion, and service. They prepare young people to become ethical leaders who dedicate their talents to the service of their communities.
Beyond the classroom, I accompanied Jesuits in serving vulnerable communities through educational programs, vocational training, peacebuilding initiatives, and community development projects. Together, we responded to the challenges of poverty, displacement, and inequality while promoting human dignity, justice, reconciliation, and care for our common home. In doing so, we sought to embody the Gospel by walking alongside those most in need, fostering hope, empowerment, and lasting change.
The Church celebrates St. Ignatius today not simply because he founded the Society of Jesus or became our first Superior General. We celebrate a disciple who surrendered everything to Christ and invited countless others to do the same. In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that authentic discipleship requires generous commitment and a willingness to place Him above every other attachment (Luke 14:25–33). Ignatius embraced that call wholeheartedly, and his example continues to inspire Jesuits and collaborators around the world.
At American Jesuits International, we are honored to celebrate this feast each year because it reminds us that the Ignatian mission belongs not only to Jesuits but also to every person who shares this vision through prayer, collaboration, and generosity. Every donor, volunteer, and friend of the mission becomes a partner in bringing hope where it is most needed.
If you are reading this message, I believe you are someone whose heart is open to compassion and whose generosity can help transform lives. Your support enables Jesuit schools to educate young people, strengthens social ministries that accompany vulnerable communities, and extends Christ’s love to places where hope is often scarce.
May St. Ignatius intercede for you and your loved ones. May the Lord bless you abundantly and reward your generosity a hundredfold.
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam — For the Greater Glory of God.
