August 1st has historically signaled a change in calendar for me. Summer is visibly coming to an end as the summer daylight fades and two thirds of the summer months are over. It seems natural that we begin to look to September and the advent of a new academic year.
It also is the day between the Solemnity of St. Ignatius and the Memorial of St. Peter Faber. Faber actually died on August 1st, but the date of the Roman Calendar was already taken, so it was moved to August 2nd. Ignatius regarded Faber as one of the best spiritual directors and he was esteemed so highly that Ignatius selected him to attend the Council of Trent.
That the two men were of the original seven founders of the Society of Jesus, it is right that they are remembered together on the calendar. This day in between allows us to remember them both collectively, while we remember them individually on their respective days. I regard them so highly that I think they could be considered Doctors of the Church for the many people who have been healed by the Spiritual Exercises over the last 450 years.
Today is a day to give thanks for the Spiritual Exercises.
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