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"The
Ignatian heritage can be likened to a great tree planted
in the garden of the Church. The principal branch
of the tree is undoubtedly the Society of Jesus…"
(THE CLC Charism Document)
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Ignatius
of Loyola and the Jesuits
Christian
Life Community, CLC, traces its roots to Saint Ignatius
Loyola, who, as a soldier recovering from his battle wounds,
was given an extraordinary grace of conversion. That mystical
experience of God led to his total dedication to Christ
and his mission.
After his conversion, Ignatius sought to help others by
speaking with them in groups about the work of God in their
lives. He guided many towards God by drawing on his own
experiences. It was out of these experiences that Ignatius
formulated the Spiritual Exercises to help others to be
led to God.
The
Spiritual Exercises became the driving spirit behind the
development of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and the congregations
of lay persons, which became the Sodalities of Our Lady,
from which the Christian Life Community developed.
