Life of Ignatius – Day 23

Begging for support

23. Begging in London

Throughout his time of studies Ignatius relied on the generosity of donors to maintain him and the other poor folk that he had taken under his wing. He was supported generously by the ladies of Barcelona, but he didn’t want to overburden them, so he visited wealthy people, often Spaniards, who lived and traded abroad. Once he even took ship to England and went around London seeking supporters. He said in his autobiography that he managed to collect sufficient money on one visit to London to last him a whole year. Ignatius, it so happened, was exactly the same age as England’s King, Henry VIII, who within a few years of Ignatius’ visit was about to cut the ties between the English Church and Rome.


A thought to ponder

What gift is the gift that you have been given which are you most grateful for?
Would people call you a generous person?


Scripture for the Day

As a way of praying today’s Scripture we suggest Imaginative Contemplation.

Mark 12: 41-44 NRSVACE

Jesus sat down opposite the treasury (in the Jerusalem Temple), and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums.
A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny.
Then he called his disciples and said to them,
‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury.
For all of them have contributed out of their abundance;
but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.’


Music for Today

Magnificat by Thomas Tallis, sung by Chapelle du Roi & Alistair Dixon

Purchase more of the music of Thomas Tallis

Thomas Tallis would have been writing music at the time Ignatius visited London.