“May Mary continue to watch over the Society of Jesus”

On the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the birth of St. Francis Xavier and Blessed (now Saint) Peter Faber, the Ignatian family celebrated a Jubilee Year in 2006, in which Pope Benedict XVI gave thanks for these extraordinary men of God. The pope recalled that the consecration of the first members of the Society of Jesus, assembled by St. Ignatius of Loyola, took place in Rome under the watch of the Mother of God:

“Today you look with special devotion at the Blessed Virgin Mary, remembering that on 22 April 1541, St Ignatius and his first companions made their solemn vows before the image of Mary in the Basilica of St Paul Outside-the-Walls.

May Mary continue to watch over the Society of Jesus so that every member may carry in his person the "image" of the Crucified Christ, in order to share in his Resurrection.” (Vatican Basilica, Saturday, April 22, 2006)

The Mary of Nazareth editorial team