Our Way of Proceeding

List of 3 news stories.

• The Graduate at Graduation

  7/25/2019
  Brendan O'Kane
  Loyola Blakefield, a Catholic, college preparatory school, established by the Jesuits and imbued with the spirit of Ignatius Loyola, forms men to serve with and for others. The Loyola student is preparing to graduate as a man of integrity, who, because he strives “to find God in all things,” is open to growth, intellectually ambitious, religious, loving, and committed to diversity and doing justice.
  
  

  On our sixth-grade retreat often students are asked, “Who can name our graduate at graduation goals?” Even though it’s in the beginning of the year, they are usually able to name four or five of them. The challenge for our Dons is that by the time they are seniors, they can not only name all the traits, but that they are living them or are on their way to doing so.
  
  

  The language that describes the different graduate at graduation goals, part of our mission statement and more commonly known as the grad at grad, contains a blueprint for our Dons as they build their legacy. These words also speak to us – faculty and staff, parents and guardians, trustees and alumni.
  
  

  Let’s look at one of them:

  Open to Growth
  
  

  The Loyola Blakefield graduate accepts the obligation to develop his talents, and to grow emotionally, socially, physically, and spiritually, as well as intellectually. He seeks opportunities to stretch his mind and imagination, and to develop spiritual values.

   

  The word obligation has always challenged me. I think it’s because it reminds me of Luke 21:1-4 where the poor widow gave all she had. This type of radical response can be inspired by the recognition of the love God has for us and the blessings bestowed on us. When our students realize they are at Loyola Blakefied, that they deserve to be here and are capable of great things – they can embrace this noble obligation which is also an invitation to something more.
  
  

  Being open to growth is less about growth in popularity and more about growth leading to a life of compassionate service of others. Growth that leads to getting outside of comfort zones and striving for lofty goals.
  
  

  Being open to growth is important to our thriving as children of God. Whether it’s building homes on a service trip or building friendships with classmates, or better relationships with colleagues and family members, when it comes to building the kingdom of God, there will always be work to be done and room to grow.
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• 

  Leaving the Upper Room

  6/17/2019
  Brendan O'Kane
  Forgiveness and the benefit of the doubt – these are not the easiest ways of proceeding. As members of an Ignatian community, we are called to a challenging and transformational mission. One exemplified in the invitation at Pentecost.
  In John 20, we hear about the fearful disciples who retreated to the upper room. Jesus comes to them, and with the Holy Spirit, sets them free through his invitation.
  
  

  Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
  When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
  “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
  
  
  

  In the opening of the Spiritual Exercises, Ignatius writes on the presupposition of good will.
  In order that both he who is giving the Spiritual Exercises, and he who is receiving them, may more help and benefit themselves, let it be presupposed that every good Christian is to be more ready to save his neighbor's proposition than to condemn it. If he cannot save it, let him inquire how he means it; and if he means it badly, let him correct him with charity. If that is not enough, let him seek all the suitable means to bring him to mean it well, and save himself.
  
  

  Today we are tempted to condemn, ostracize and exclude. Jesus and Ignatius both knew this was a futile way to proceed. With forgiveness as the first invitation to the disciples, we are challenged, just as they were, to live this mission, illustrated in the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi,
  
  

  for it is in giving that we receive,
  it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
  
  

  Ignatius, in the Principle and Foundation from the Exercises, reminds us –
  
  

  Human beings are created to praise, reverence, and serve God our Lord, and by means of doing this to save their souls.
  
  

  The path to salvation begins with forgiveness. It is difficult, but clear and requires us to embrace the life breathed into us by God (Genesis 2:7) and the invitation breathed on us by Jesus with the Holy Spirit. (John 20:22)
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• 

  Spending the Summer with God

  5/28/2019
  Brendan O'Kane, Director of Ignatian Mission and Identity
  Jose Ignacio Tellechea Idigoras wrote a biography of St. Ignatius, titled Solo y a pie (Alone and on Foot) and an abridgment was published by Brian Grogan - I’ve always been struck by that title and after learning more about Ignatius, the title is both accurate and fitting. He spent great lengths of time walking and hiking in solitude. Alone on the bank of the Cardoner River, near the village of Manresa in northern Spain, was one time where he obtained great clarity, a new understanding of his life with God.

   

  With school ending for the year, we might find ourselves with opportunities for solitude this summer. One way to spend the summer with God, heeding the words of Ignatius in a letter he wrote to the entire Society of Jesus, is upon the conclusion of each day - unpack the day in prayer,

   

  Having to report about what one is doing from day to day can serve as a stimulus for being more alert to doing something that can be written about.

   

  This can certainly be done in community with family or friends as well, but the main point is that each day is noteworthy and full of blessings. When we check-in with God we become more aware of the opportunity each new day brings. This summer might not bring a moment of clarity like the one experienced by Ignatius, however, if we make space and embrace opportunities for silence and solitude we can find ourselves in good company, with our God.
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