Discovering Life's Purpose: Insights from St. Ignatius of Loyola

Discovering Life's Purpose: Insights from St. Ignatius of Loyola

Ignatius of Loyola discussed the purpose of life in his Principle and Foundation. In the following posts, we will explore St. Ignatius’ teachings on this subject bit by bit. It's important to note that no one can impose a purpose on your life; each person must choose it for themselves. As a spiritual director, I often encounter individuals engaged in this search. Ignatius identified three basic attitudes that provide a sense of purpose, surprisingly captured succinctly.

Three Attitudes for Purposeful Living

• Praise

An attitude of praise towards God means living with an awareness of the goodness and beauty of creation, fostering a life of gratitude.

• Reverence

Reverence involves recognizing that God is "greater"—greater than our problems and beyond our control or the imposition of our rules.

• Service

An attitude of service requires understanding that we are not the saviors of the world. We serve God and God’s people, considering the needs around us and asking how God, not our ego, directs us to address them. This means loving others as ourselves—neither more nor less.

These attitudes are often summarized as being in the right relationship with God, but each particular attitude holds significant importance.

Living with Purpose

Adopting these attitudes—Praise, Reverence, and Service—helps us live with a sense of direction and fulfillment. By keeping our eyes open to the goodness around us, recognizing God's greatness, and serving with humility, we align ourselves with a higher purpose and contribute positively to the world.