5 Reasons Why Ignatius Of Loyola Was The First Jedi Master

Star Wars creator George Lucas is said to have hinted that the Order of Jedi Knights was actually modeled on the Jesuit Order. That would make their founder, St. Ignatius of Loyola, the first Jedi Master! Lightsabers and starships aside, it’s easy to see the parallels between the fictional Jedi Code and the teachings of the real Ignatius:

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1. Service and Humility

Image from the upcoming feature film ‘Ignacio de Loyola’ directed by Paolo Dy

As a young soldier, Ignatius’ dream was to become a knight and serve his king and country, even unto death. Later, when he founded the Jesuits, this same drive towards service and self-sacrifice made its way into the Order’s DNA.

In addition to the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, young Jesuits take a Fourth Vow — to immediately accept any mission they are sent on by the Pope, no matter the distance or the danger.

You can’t get any more Jedi than that.

2. Self-awareness and Self-Mastery

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“Trust your feelings. Be mindful of your thoughts.” - Master Yoda

A calm and balanced mind is the hallmark of both a well-trained Jedi and a well-trained Jesuit. In both cases, this clarity is achieved through meditation and contemplation.

One of the most powerful tools of Ignatian spirituality is the Examen - a daily self-examination of the events of the day in order to detect God’s presence and discern His direction for you. Here are the steps of the Examen in a nutshell (feel free to read this in Obi Wan’s voice):

Become aware of God’s presence.
Review the day with gratitude.
Pay attention to your emotions.
Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.
Look toward tomorrow.

3. Spiritual Direction

Image from the upcoming feature film ‘Ignacio de Loyola’ directed by Paolo Dy

To become a Jedi Knight, a Padawan apprentice studies for many, many years under the tutelage of his Jedi Master, learning about the ways of the Force and the Jedi Code.

The Jesuit tradition places a similar strong emphasis on always having a spiritual director who has the experience and maturity to help guide your spiritual growth — and who can steer you back if you start going over to the Dark Side.

4. Detachment

Image from the upcoming feature film ‘Ignacio de Loyola’ directed by Paolo Dy

“The fear of loss is a path to the Dark Side. Train yourself to let go… of everything you fear to lose.” - Master Yoda

The Jedi are forbidden to form attachments — to riches, to things, or to people. (Anakin Skywalker broke this rule, and see where it got him!)

Ignatius taught his followers a special kind of detachment, which he called indifference - not preferring to be rich or preferring to be poor, for instance, but praying for which state brings you closer to God and to fulfilling your mission in life.

5. Finding God In All Things

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The Jedi teach of “being aware of the Living Force” — being attuned to its movements and manifestations all around you.

In a similar vein, Ignatius teaches us to "find God in all things" -- that in every moment of our lives, happy or sad, triumphant or tragic, we can find the quaver of God's voice trying to speak to us, telling us how He next wants us to grow towards perfection.

Finally let's take a look at two defining manifestos of the two Orders:

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THE JEDI CODE

Emotion, yet peace.

Ignorance, yet knowledge.

Passion, yet serenity.

Chaos, yet harmony.

Death, yet the Force.

IGNATIUS’ PRAYER FOR GENEROSITY

Lord, teach me to be generous.

Teach me to serve you as you deserve;

to give and not to count the cost,

to fight and not to heed the wounds,

to toil and not to seek for rest,

to labor and not to ask for reward,

save that of knowing that I do your will.

Learn more about the first Jedi Master when the feature film IGNACIO DE LOYOLA premieres in July 2016. Watch the trailer below and find out more at IgnacioDeLoyola.com

Ignacio de Loyola (2016) NEW Full 1min Trailer

Jesuit Communications Philippines / Via youtu.be

JESCOM FILMS PHILIPPINES presents the feature film IGNACIO DE LOYOLA starring Andreas Muñoz, Javier Godino, and Julio Perillan. A modern and very human take on the story of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, often called 'The Saint of Second Chances.'

BE PART OF HISTORY.

We still need your help to complete the considerable funding needed for the post-production, CGI, and musical scoring on the film. If you want to help bring IGNACIO DE LOYOLA to the big screen, please go to www.jescom.ph/ignaciomovie/how-you-can-h­elp