Ignatius Jesuit Centre
A Place of Prayer
In 1913, a group of thirteen English-Canadian Jesuits arrived from Sault-au-Recollet to establish an English-speaking novitiate for the training of young Jesuits. They purchased a large tract of land just north of Guelph — a 240 hectare estate now known as the Ignatius Jesuit Centre. Re-designing the original farmhouse, the early Jesuits officially opened The St. Stanislaus Novitiate, named in honour of St. Stanislaus Kostka (see Annotation below).
The Novitiate was well received by the Jesuit community in Canada. In response to the growing demand for housing and classrooms, a larger building was constructed on the property in 1933. Expansion resumed again in 1949 when a secondary wing was added. In 1958, the novitiate was incorporated and renamed The Ignatius College — in honour of the founder of the Jesuits, St. Ignatius of Loyola.
Our presence in the area dates back to 1852 and we wish to honour our long history and in new ways befitting our contemporary context, to emulate the creativity of our many forefathers in that place.
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St. Stanislaus Kostka
(1550 – 1568)
Born to a family of Polish nobility; son of a senator. Attended the Viennese Jesuit college from age 14. While staying at the home of a Lutheran, he became gravely ill, but was not allowed to call for a priest. He prayed to his patron, Saint Barbara, who appeared to him in a vision with two angels and administered Communion. He was then cured from his disease by Our Lady who told him to become a Jesuit — against his family's wishes. St. Stanislaus Kostka attended the Jesuit college in Rome for a period of 10 months before succumbing to illness on the morning of the 15th of August, 1568 — at the age of eighteen.
Often depicted with the Infant Jesus in his arms because when Our Lady came to cure him in Vienna she carried Her Divine Treasure in Her arms. She had placed the Infant Saviour on St. Stanislaus Kostka’s bed. Many illnesses were cured at his tomb, and his body was found incorrupt three years after his death. The Holy See ratified his beatification in 1605; he was canonized on 31 December 1726. St. Stanislaus is a popular saint of Poland and many religious institutions have chosen him as the protector of their novitiates.
The surrounding farmland was integral to the success of the College as it provided for balance in the lives of the novices. Initially maintained solely by the Jesuit Brothers, a farm manager was gratefully hired to assist the Ignatius Farm Community. Since that time, the Ignatius Farm has become a pioneer in organic crop management and beautifully illustrates the viability and benefits of small family run farms.
In response to a cultural malaise in religious discipline during the latter decades of the 20th century, Ignatius College struggled to fulfill its mandate. No longer in scale with the size of the Jesuit community in the region, the College was forced to close.
Adapting to changing circumstance, the local Jesuit community focused its efforts on utilizing the immense potential of the College assets. Michael Schweier was retained to transition the Ignatius College, to the Orchard Park Business Centre. Michael's efforts during the late-90’s were successful in establishing a thriving community of esteemed businesses.
St. Ignatius of Loyola
(1491 – 1556)
The curriculum of St. Stanislaus Novitiate included teaching young novices the “Spiritual Exercises”, a manual of Christian prayer and meditation developed by St. Ignatius. In honour of St. Ignatius, founder of the Jesuit Order, the Novitiate was renamed “Ignatius College”.
Iñigo de Recalde of Loyola; mystic, educator, preacher, and founder of the Jesuits, was an advocate of social-justice and charitable giving through loving service. The work of St. Ignatius and the Society of Jesus best known today is that of education.
By 1548, Ignatius had opened schools in Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and India. Although these schools were intended for the education of young Jesuit, in 1548 Ignatius opened a school for lay students as well. It became clear by requests from rulers, bishops and cities that providing schools was truly one of the most effective ways to correct ignorance and corruption among the clergy and the faithful and to fulfill the motto of the Society of Jesus, “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam”, — to the greater glory of God.
While the Ignatius Jesuit Centre is no longer home to a novitiate, it is still well-known and treasured by Jesuits and their collaborators around the world. The estate, over 240 hectares, is the home and sustenance of our Ecology and Spiritual Ministries.