| | Jesuit WallA PENTECOST GIFT TO THE PARISH FROM THE Friends of Ignatius — To identify our relationship with the Jesuit community, photos of our clergy and an IHS emblem have been displayed in the hall leading to the atrium.  | What is this IHS emblem?
The IHS emblem represents the seal of the Society of Jesus. The three nails signify the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. “The monogram used by the Jesuits is an abbreviation for the name of Jesus in Greek: IHSOUS. Originally and on many icons the final letter is the Greek letter sigma Σ, but eventually the more familiar Roman S came into use. Normally a line is drawn above the letters to indicate that it is an abbreviation. In northern France small Roman letters were used (ihs) and the line was drawn through the h to form a cross. Such an inscription was above the door of the College of St. Barbara at the University of Paris where Ignatius would often have seen it. When the monogram went back to capital letters, people were unwilling to lose the cross and mounted a cross on the cross stroke of the H.” Peter Fennessy, SJ | | | 
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“So set was my intention that the name of Jesus impress itself on me, so encouraged was I,
and such a confirmation did I seem to receive for what lay ahead,
that tears and sobs came with new force.
While preparing the altar and vesting, the name of Jesus was shown to me:
I felt great love, confirmation and an increased resolve to follow Him."
Spiritual Diary of St. Ignatius Loyola February 23, 24, 1544 |
Funded by the Friends of Ignatius. Who are these Friends? Ask Father Michael. |
