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Jesuits and other Ignatius-inspired communities in French-speaking Europe gather in Southern France for a big "family celebration"
By Mélinée Le Priol | France
More than 7,000 priests, religious and young people attached to the spiritual heritage of Saint Ignatius of Loyola gathered in the southern French port city of Marseille over the weekend for an event called "Rowing into the deep with Ignatius!" (Au large avec Ignace!).
The gathering of Jesuits and others in the French-speaking countries of Europe who are considered part of the "Ignatian Family" took place from Saturday through Monday's liturgical feast of All Saints, a public holiday across much of the Old Continent.
This long-planned event was part of the Ignatian Year, which began this past May 20 and extends through July 31, 2022, which celebrates the 500th anniversary of St. Ignatius' conversion -- when Ignatius the soldier, struck by a cannonball, began his transformation into Ignatius the pilgrim.
In addition to members of the men's religious order, commonly called the Jesuits, the Ignatian family includes other religious congregations and movements.
They share a common path of following Ignatian spirituality, which is marked by the daily search for God through discernment and the Spiritual Exercises.
The Ignatian Family numbers tens of thousands of members throughout the world, many of them women religious.
One of the largest contingents at the gathering of the Francophone European branch of the family was from the Christian Life Community (CLC), an organization that is made up of 800 small groups of lay people in France who strive to "become adults in the faith".
The Christian Movement of Business Executives and Managers (MCC) was also well-represented, as was the Chemin-Neuf Community, which was founded in 1973 at the inspiration of a Jesuit.
The cosmopolitan city of Marseille
About 1,500 members of the Eucharistic Youth Movement (EYM) were present, as were numerous students and young professionals from the Magis Network.
There was also a special program for about 30 families with children who strive to follow Ignatian spirituality.
But "Rowing into the Deep" was just a "family celebration" of the 16th century saint's followers.
It was also meant to be an opportunity to go "discover the signs of fraternity in a world in turmoil".
And the choice of Marseille, a teeming Mediterranean city that is a crossroads for immigrants and various cultures, was no accident.
Jean-Marc Aveline, the local archbishop, told participants that it's the "last great cosmopolitan city" of the Mediterranean basin with a unique cultural and religious diversity.
Archbishop Aveline said Marseille is also a reminder of some of the world's major challenges, such as the fight against poverty, the promotion of interreligious dialogue and the welcoming of migrants.
One of the highlights of the three-day gathering was a moment of recollection on Saturday in the Old Port.
The event commemorated the many refugees who have perished while attempting to cross the Mediterranean, as well as for those who have died of COVID-19 and people who have been victims of sexual violence in the Church.
In the end, Pope Francis decided not to attend
Over the last few centuries, many missionaries of the Ignatian family have set out from Marseille to take the gospel message to China, the Maghreb or the Middle East.
The female Congregation of Xavières was founded one hundred years ago in this port city while the first Jesuit house was set up in Marseille in the 17th century.
A large Sunday Mass was celebrated at a Jesuit-run shrine that overlooks the Old Port, while the Eucharist celebration for All Saints Day was held in a nearby park.
Pope Francis, who entered the Society of Jesus in 1958, had been officially invited to come to Marseille for this gathering. But, in the end, he decided not to attend.
Organizers said they hoped the events that were planned to include the vast public in the area would help make St. Ignatius and his school of spirituality better known.
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