HOMILY OF FR. JAMES M. HAYES, S. J., AT THE JESUIT COMMUNITY MASS,
THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY CROSS, FEAST OF ALL SAINTS AND BLESSED OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS, NOVEMBER 5, 2012
Moses grasped an insight which is available to all of us. Moses discovered how one can be in communion with God. Through repeated ascents up a mountain, through long fasts and prayer, Moses listened to God’s voice. He taught Israel that God was close to us as our hearts, as our very breath.
Ignatius, too, learned this lesson. Through his many months lying on his sickbed, during his year in Manresa, Ignatius discovered the closeness of God. He realized that God desires to be in intimate companionship with us. The other insight Ignatius discovered was the power of intercession. Ignatius instinctively knew to whom to pray. Some prayers he addressed to God the Father, some to Jesus, some to the Holy Spirit, and some to Mary and the saints.
We hold the belief in the communion of saints and thanks to the research of Father Lapomarda, I have learned that the Society of Jesus has fifty-one canonized saints, one hundred fifty one Jesuits who have been beatified, nineteen venerables, and fifty-nine servants of God. That’s an impressive collection of intercessors.
Each of them was a grain of wheat that fell into the ground and bore fruit. The Society of Jesus has an orchard of saints to choose from for us who remain on this pilgrim journey.
Here are some suggestions for the students among us. Since all of you are discerning about how God might be calling you to advance the reign of God, ask for the help of St. Ignatius of Loyola, a master of discernment.
As you continue your studies, look to Saint John Berchmans, who was a brilliant students and worked very hard. Ask him to help keep everything in balance.
If you are dealing with seriously sick family member, relative, or friend, turn to Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, who ministered to plague victims in Rome. He died of the plague himself. If you and your father are engaged in any kind of conflict, pray to Saint Stanislaus Kostka, who defied his father and left the Jesuit College in Vienna, walked to Germany to apply to the Jesuits, and was sent on to Rome, where he was given permission to enter.
If you are struggling with some aspect of your Catholic faith, seek the guidance of St. Peter Canisius, a doctor of the Church, and the author of a widely used catechism in the German-speaking countries.
If you are engaged in a serious scholarly project, such as a thesis or a dissertation, pray to Saint Robert Bellarmine, another doctor of the Church, and theological scholar.
If you are going on retreat, especially a version of the Spiritual Exercises, pray to Peter Faber. Saint Ignatius commented that no one knew the Exercises better than Peter Faber.
If you are sent on a mission, ask for the intercession of Saint Francis Xavier, who faced so many difficulties journeying to India, Malaysia, and Japan.
Should you spend any time in India, you might address Saint John de Britto, who inculturated into India with great success.
If you visit England, you could call upon the many martyrs, especially Edmund Campion and Robert Southwell. If you head to Scotland, call upon the great martyr Saint John Ogilvie, and if you cross the sea to Ireland, ask for the help of Dominic Collins.
If you travel to France, ask for the assistance of Saint Claude la Colombière, the spiritual director of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque and promoter of devotion to the Sacred Heart.
If you do any work with Native peoples in this country, seek the favor of Saints Isaac Jogues and Jean de Brébeuf, or one of Jogue’s converts, Saint Kateri Tekawitha.
If you are working with African people, remember Saint Peter Claver who ministered to the slaves who came off the boats in Cartagena, Colombia. While we’re in South America, in Brazil, we remember St. José de Anchieta, a devoted missionary. If you go to Chile, discover Saint Alberto Hurtado, founder of the powerful Fe y Alegria movement to guide you.
If you ever visit Japan, recall Saint Paul Miki and his companions, courageous martyrs when the Japanese were trying to stamp out the faith.
Although he is not canonized, a movement is under way for Walter Ciszek, who wrote With God in Russia and He Leadeth Me, two powerful spiritual testimonies about Ciszek’s confinement in Russia.
Should you ever be intense physical pain and suffering, you might turn to our newest Saint Jacques Berthieu, who suffered the cruelest of sufferings as a missionary to Madagascar.
If you find yourself the head of an organization, you might call upon Saint Francis Borgia, who went from being a Duke to later leading the Society of Jesus as our third General.
These are just a sampling of the many Jesuit saints whose lives continue to bear fruit for those who strive to live the call to holiness. We have a God so close to use and a cloud of witnesses that surrounds us; let us access the power we all possess.