Saint of the day · July 31
St Ignatius of Loyola
MemorialFriday, week 17 in Ordinary Time
Liturgical colour : White
St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), was a Spanish nobleman born in the late 15th century. Initially trained as a soldier, Ignatius underwent a profound spiritual transformation after being wounded in battle and spending months convalescing. This period ignited his desire for holiness, leading him to dedicate his life to God and inspiring the writing of his renowned "Spiritual Exercises." Ignatius and his early companions, united by a desire to serve Christ and the Church, were officially recognized in the 16th century as the Society of Jesus. Their mission combined rigorous education, missionary zeal, and a distinctive spirituality centered on discerning God's will in all things. Today, the Church celebrates St. Ignatius’s memory, recognizing his pivotal role in spiritual renewal, education, and the global missionary movement of the Counter-Reformation. His legacy endures in Jesuit schools, parishes, and spiritual direction, inviting Christians to "find God in all things" and to serve with generous hearts.
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Mass readings
“All the people gathered around Jeremiah in the house of the Lord” — Jr 26, 1-9
At the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim,
son of Josiah, king of Judah,
this word came from the Lord:
“Thus says the Lord:
Stand in the courtyard of the house of the Lord.
To the people of all the towns of Judah
who come to bow down in the house of the Lord,
you shall speak all the words
that I have commanded you to speak to them;
do not leave out a single word.
Perhaps they will listen,
and each of them will turn from their evil way?
Then I will relent of the disaster I intend to do to them
because of the evil of their deeds.
So you shall say to them:
Thus says the Lord:
If you will not listen to me,
if you do not walk according to my Law,
the Law that I set before you,
if you do not listen to the words
of my servants the prophets,
whom I have sent to you tirelessly,
and whom you have not listened to,
I will treat this House as I did Shiloh,
and I will make this city a curse
for all the nations of the earth.”
The priests, the prophets, and all the people heard Jeremiah
proclaim these words in the house of the Lord.
And when Jeremiah had finished saying to all the people
everything that the Lord had commanded him to say,
the priests, the prophets, and all the people
seized him, saying:
“You must die!
Why do you prophesy in the name of the Lord
that this House will become like Shiloh,
that this city will be devastated and emptied of its inhabitants?”
And all the people gathered around Jeremiah
in the house of the Lord.
– The word of the Lord.
Ps 68 (69), 2.5ab, 5cd.8, 9-10, 14
Save me, O God:
the waters rise up to my neck!
More numerous than the hairs on my head
are those who hate me without cause.
Many are my adversaries,
who hate me unjustly.
It is for you that I endure insult,
that shame covers my face.
I am a stranger to my brothers,
an alien to my mother’s sons.
Zeal for your house has consumed me;
the insults of those who insult you fall upon me.
But I pray to you, Lord:
it is the time of your favor;
in your great love, O God, answer me,
save me with your faithful help.
“Is he not the carpenter's son? Then where did he get all this?” — Mt 13, 54-58
At that time,
Jesus went to his hometown,
and he taught the people in their synagogue,
in such a way that they were astounded
and said:
“Where did this man get this wisdom
and these miracles?
Is he not the carpenter’s son?
Is not his mother called Mary,
and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?
And are not all his sisters with us?
Then where did he get all this?”
And they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them:
“A prophet is not without honor except in his own country
and in his own house.”
And he did not perform many miracles there,
because of their lack of faith.
– Let us acclaim the word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org