The feast day of St Ignatius Loyola.
Founder of the Jesuits, author of the Spiritual Exercises.
Pilgrim of the church from Espanola.
Soldier turned priest and with him hope arises.

I recall our own family pilgrimage to Inigo’s birthplace Aspeitia.
Driving through the verdant Basque Country.
Six children in tow, visiting all his sites, in a kind of race.
I was inspired, perhaps they were just hungry.

At the battle of Pamplona, glory enticed.
The shattered leg, and to a military career and disorder.
The end of romance reading and commitment to Christ.
And the foundation of the Jesuit Order.

But I will never forget doing the spiritual exercises at St Beuno’s retreat.
A spiritual feast, the genesis of a book and a not to be missed treat.