July 31, the Feast Day of St. Ignatius of Loyola, is a sacred day for Jesuits, our works, and our collaborators. Here in Canada, we have a celebration in the Toronto area on that day. As many Jesuits as possible come together for a family reunion of sorts. There are almost always Jesuits from other parts of the globe who happen to be in the area for commitments such as study or workshops. We start with Mass. One of the 50 year jubilarians preaches and all of the year's jubilarians are acknowledged. That is followed by a luncheon for Jesuits, families and friends of the jubilarians, and many of our collaborators. After a leisurely afternoon, the Jesuits get together for a talk from the provincial, a social, dinner and entertainment.

I think many of us make the mistake of slipping into the mindset of believing that this must be a public holiday. I have vivid memories of coming from the Mass and heading to the luncheon, wondering why everyone else is treating this as one more ordinary workday. Don't they realize it's the Feast of Ignatius! Of course, we do know that that fits into the arrogance of the Society of Jesus. Why isn't the rest of the world in sync with us?

There is something to that wish. Perhaps I'm a victim of our Jesuit pride, but I honestly believe that the planet would be a far better and more peaceful place if we all followed some of the underlying principles of Ignatian spirituality.

One doesn't need to be a practicing Catholic or even a Christian to benefit from the wisdom of Saint Ignatius. The 24-hour news cycle is making us more aware than ever of the pains and challenges of the world. There are the huge issues such as the need for reconciliation between warring factions, the fact that there are more refugees and displaced people than ever before, ecological concerns such as global warming or the mindless violence of terrorism.

Then there are also the everyday issues that can befall anyone, regardless of age, gender, economic status or health status. Even the healthiest person can experience surprises with her body. The wealthiest person is not immune to health issues. The person who always assumed that he had a job for life is let go by his employer. Family issues can surface for anyone, even the family that has done everything "right." An old man might have a healthy body and mind, but his heart can still ache with the loneliness of having buried most of his friends. A grandmother worries about her grandchildren and how they will make their way in this strange world.

All of those situations and individuals can benefit from the wisdom handed on by Saint Ignatius. Wouldn't the world be a more peaceful place if we all took seriously the suggestion that we put the best possible interpretation on another's words and actions? What if we all practiced the kind of intentionality of the Spiritual Exercises and were discerning about what we put in our bodies?

What if all of us practiced the kind of contemplative attitude that means we take a "long, loving look" at everything – our own lives, our families, our nations and our health? What if we truly let our actions be guided by a sense of the long view and hope? What if all of us, including a hardened terrorist, could find God in all things? What if that same attitude was adopted by those who deny global warming? What if we were truly free and still able find God in poor health or poverty?

The older I get, and the more I ponder the spirituality of Ignatius, the more I am in awe of his gifts and the usefulness of his principles for all of life and for all who open themselves to all he can teach. As we celebrate Ignatius Day, let us pray that the world may benefit from Ignatius' mysticism of the ordinary, from his conviction that God is, indeed, found in all things. Happy Ignatius Day!