SU to celebrate St. Ignatius Day

The Jesuits of Seattle University invite you to join them for the annual St. Ignatius Day Liturgy at 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 31, at the Chapel of St. Ignatius. Natch Ohno, S.J., will preside. 

Jesuit institutions worldwide celebrate the Feast of St. Ignatius on July 31. Feast days are typically marked on the dates of saints’ deaths. St. Ignatius passed away July 31, 1556. 

Born in 1491, in today’s Basque country in Spain, Ignatius embarked on a spiritual journey after being injured by a cannonball in battle. He founded the Society of Jesus (a.k.a. the Jesuits) in 1540 and, among other lasting contributions, went on to create what today is a vibrant international educational system while authoring The Spiritual Exercises. He was canonized—that is, made a saint—by Pope Gregory XV in 1622. 

Seattle University’s celebration of the Feast of St. Ignatius typically includes a reception, however this year the Jesuits will instead host a celebration in the fall when Arturo Araujo, S.J., is installed as the new rector of Arrupe House, the Jesuit residence at SU. Father Araujo succeeds Tom Lucas, S.J., who is concluding his six-year term as rector.

Father Araujo is coming from the University of San Francisco, where he has served as associate professor in Fine Arts. He returns to Seattle U as an alumnus, having earned a bachelor's degree in visual art in 2006.  

Stay tuned for more information on Father Araujo's installation and reception, and visit Campus Ministry for the full summer schedule at the Chapel of St. Ignatius.