Lord teach us to be generous, teach us to serve you as you deserve,
to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for reward,
save that of knowing that we do your will.
-St. Ignatius of Loyola
The IVC in St. Louis was started by Fr. Kevin Cullen, SJ and an enthusiastic regional council in 2005. The program continues to flourish thanks to generous support and interest from volunteers and organizations throughout the St. Louis region.
This year there are 7 Ignatian Volunteers working at 5 partner organizations in direct service to people who are poor. Ignatian volunteers commit to work two days a week in service to the poor, from mid-September through June. Some of our community partners include the Criminal Justice Ministry at St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Cecilia’s Grade School and Marian Middle School.
Volunteer meet monthly to reflect on their experience of service in the light of prayer and a book read in common. Volunteers also meet with a spiritual reflector to talk about the meaning of their work, beyond the service experience itself and how it is contributes to growing their faith. Our volunteers say over and over again that they receive back so much more than they give.
Read about the experience of Ignatian Volunteer Betty Ytzaina…