Vince Lombardi and The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola (Episode #101, 1 Aug 2022)

In this episode, I cover the founder of the Jesuit Order, St. Ignatius of Loyola and influence on Vince Lombardi's coaching philosophy.  Lombardi went to Fordham University, a Jesuit university in New York City.  He was an average student receiving mostly B's and C's with the exception of one A, Christian ethics, which was taught by Ignatius Wiley, a Jesuit priest and follower of St. Ignatius.   Loyola believed that anyone could be exceptional through daily spiritual exercises reflecting upon their virtue and sin.  By engaging in these daily activities and submission to the greater good, a person could achieve a state of perfection with enough zeal.   Loyola preached attention to detail, selfless surrender to the greater good, and simplicity all in pursuit of God's will. As a card carrying Lutheran, I never expected to be so awed by the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the leader of the Counter Reformation against the teachings of Martin Luther.  The Lord certainly works in mysterious ways. I just purchased the Spiritual Exercises and will be going to a monastery to reflect on their meaning.   Mega gratitude to David Maraniss for his incredible book on St. Vincent, a truly life changing book.