Dear Friends,

As we approach the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, on July 31^st, let us embrace the wisdom and guidance of this remarkable man. We are invited to set aside ten minutes at the end of each day for prayerful reflection on our daily experiences and actions. St. Ignatius invites us to begin with gratitude: “Give thanks to God our Lord for the benefits that I have received.”

Then, he urges us to recognize the graces bestowed upon us. It might be a quiet cup of coffee in the morning, or a good conversation at a meal. Use our spiritual journal to take note of these blessings as we express our heartfelt gratitude to God.

For us, we remember and reflect on the good work you make possible every day with your support and prayers. Because of you, Jesuits serve across Canada and around the world bringing hope, joy, and love. For this, we are ever so grateful, and we thank you and give thanks to God for your kind generosity.

Furthermore, we are invited to “ask for the grace to know our sins and rid ourselves of them.” Saint Ignatius reminds us that we are all sinners who have received God’s grace of forgiveness. There may have been moments where we faltered. Let us humbly name these failings and earnestly “ask pardon of God for our faults and resolve, with his grace, to amend them.”

In closing, we pray for the recovery of our beloved Pope Francis after his recent surgery. I wish to share with you his intention for July 2023.