August 11, 2016

Dear Friends and Sons of Xavier:

In 1534, on the Feast of the Assumption at Montmarte, Paris, Ignatius pronounced his first vows binding himself to God and his companions. It is one of the many connections between Ignatius, the Society of Jesus and the Blessed Mother. Ignatius and His Companions understood Mary to be the Mother of the Society of Jesus.

I had spent little time really considering the place of Mary in the life of the Society of Jesus until my Ignatian pilgrimage with the Jesuit Collaborative five years ago. One morning, we visited the shrine of Our Lady of Aranzazu. Ignatius made a point of visiting Aranzazu on his way to Montserrat in the days following his conversion. Our bus labored up the mountain and around tight curves. Aranzazu, especially in 1522, was not exactly on the direct route to Montserrat. It was not an easy drop-in or side trip. It was a trip that took time and effort. This manifestation of the Blessed Mother was important to Ignatius. Mary’s care and love accompanied him on his pilgrim journey. His visit to Aranzazu was an affirmation of his love, care and devotion to Mary. Ignatius and Mary remain for me an area to explore more deeply in my own prayer.

My affection for Mary only continues to grow. I am touched by how she is the great connection to God and the Church for so many. One of my most moving moments this year was praying the Hail Mary with one of our dying alums. His confidence in God’s goodness and Mary’s advocacy when we came to the words “pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen” was an inspiration and something I will always carry in my heart.

So for years, Jesuits have always pronounced first vows on or around the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. This year is no different. On Saturday, August 13 at Holy Cross Church in DeWitt, New York, just outside of Syracuse, Kieran Halloran ’10 will join with eight of his brother Jesuits in pronouncing perpetual vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Kieran will join a long line of Xavier alumni to commit his life to God and the Church as a Jesuit. Kieran is a young man of faith, joy, enthusiasm, goodness and intelligence. He will do great things in the Society of Jesus. I am proud to count him as a Son of Xavier. I am grateful for his deep commitment to service in the Church and his great witness living a faith that does justice.

Please keep Kieran and his vow classmates in your prayers. May the Holy Spirit continue to inspire and guide them and may the Blessed Mother continue to care for the Society of Jesus. In the weeks ahead, we will share a reflection from Kieran on his vows in the E-News. Kieran will move to First Studies at St. Louis University in the fall. He will join Sean Hagerty, S.J. ’06 who is there studying philosophy and theology. Sean will complete First Studies in 2017 and then begin his regency. Kieran will be in St. Louis for the next three years.

We all share responsibility for vocations to the Society of Jesus. Please continue to pray for vocations to the Society of Jesus. And please invite good, thoughtful young men among your family and friends to consider life as a Jesuit. It can be a blessing beyond measure.

St. Ignatius Loyola, pray for us.
St. Francis Xavier, pray for us.
Mary, Mother of the Society of Jesus, pray for us.

Sincerely,

Jack Raslowsky

President