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Iñigo
The proper name, “Iñigo,” sounds almost like a parent saying to a youngster, with the car door open, “in ya go!” No matter who we are or what our position in life might be, we are known by our name as the unique individual we are and are still becoming. Iñigo’s formal name was Ignatius of Loyola, whose feast day as a Saint is celebrated on July 31. But he was, and we can say in faith still is, responsive to the name by which he signed literally thousands of personal messages that he sent to people while he was the first superior general of the Jesuits, “Iñigo.” We can ask him for gifts of discernment.
In the written communications he authored, whether giving very specific directions about a project in which one of the Jesuits was involved or a brief note of encouragement to someone he knew, all were expressions of his affection for them, not just statements that were based on what he knew of them and of their circumstances. Everything he wrote was related to the central movement that guided all aspects of his life, love for God and love for those whom God loved, which included everyone to whom he addressed his messages. Now, he has the same attitude and would be happy to assist us.
Much of Iñigo’s writing consisted in replies, some brief, and some quite lengthy and detailed, for he was consulted not just by his Jesuit companions and the many benefactors of the increasingly worldwide Jesuit-initiated network of schools, missions, and services for people on the margins of society, but by men and women of all backgrounds who recognized him as having great practical wisdom for determining the difference between inspiring thoughts and those that were detrimental to proper love of self, love of God, and love for their neighbors. We all can use such inspiration today.
In our times of much deliberately communicated confusion about truth, goodness, values, and ideals, Iñigo is still an especially relevant and exceedingly available consultant about all such matters. He is more open and available to us now than he ever could have been when he was composing thousands of written messages for his contemporaries in the 1500’s. Although we could write out our thoughts and concerns, we do not need to communicate that way with those who are now with God, nor do we need or expect to receive written responses from those who are among the Communion of Saints. However, when we remain consciously receptive in prayer with an attitude of trust, we receive thoughts that are accompanied by a sense of peace, of being what we need at this moment.
“St. Iñigo, pray for us.”
Last Updated 8/1/2026