'I feel closer to Ignatius than I ever have'
Faculty and students visit the birthplace of Ignatius of Loyola
Story and photos by Ashley Rowland
Inside the wood-beamed chapel of a medieval castle, Fr. Jason Brauninger, S.J., led a dozen Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing faculty, students, and new graduates in a solemn Mass that held special meaning for the group.
Now called the Chapel of the Conversion, this room was where Ignatius of Loyola—founder of the Jesuit order and namesake of Loyola University Chicago—recovered from a war injury more than 500 years ago and committed himself to a life of service to God.
“My hope is that being here will help the students and faculty be more connected to our Jesuit mission and gain a better understanding of the life of St. Ignatius,” said Brauninger, a clinical assistant professor and family and emergency nurse practitioner. “I hope this helps them embrace the Jesuit ideals of service, leadership, and justice in their own lives.”
The religious ceremony was the culmination of Loyola Nursing’s weeklong service immersion trip to Lourdes, France, where students assisted pilgrims at a major Catholic shrine in a ritual for those seeking healing. On their final day, the group traveled two hours to Spain to visit the stone fortress where Ignatius was born and went through many of the formative experiences that led to his religious transformation.
The Mass was especially moving for Ronald Chauca, BSN ’24, who also holds a theology degree and once considered entering the priesthood. “Seeing the origins of my Jesuit education—it all stemmed from this room, this time, this conversion,” he said, adding that he hopes to apply the saint’s example of renewal and commitment to learning in his nursing practice. “I’m asking St. Ignatius to pray for me, that the power of his conversion and renewal may become concrete in my own spiritual life and practice as a nurse.”
For students and faculty, the visit humanized a distant historical figure.
“I feel closer to Ignatius than I ever have,” said Mary Heinz, clinical assistant professor. “Being here, you realize that we all have the potential to learn from our experiences and our suffering and, like Ignatius, draw closer to God. We’re inspired to become the best version of ourselves.”
Marty McNaughton, BSN ’25, noted that “religious figures almost seem untouchable, but to be where they once were makes you realize they were people, too. To be where Ignatius once was is almost a spiritual experience in and of itself, and it’s amazing to see the impact someone can have for so long.”
Nikolina Vujcic, BSN ’24, graduated with four years’ worth of memories from being part of the Rambler cheerleading squad. But at the start of her undergraduate career, she knew little about the Jesuit values underpinning the University.
“When I made the cheer team, part of that training was understanding the background of Loyola, understanding St. Ignatius, and understanding what the wolf and kettle meant,” she said, referring to the Loyola family crest that today is part of the University’s emblem.
For Vujcic, seeing the same crest she saw daily in Rogers Park on the other side of the world was inspiring.
“To finish my college career in the place where it all started is really a full circle moment,” she said.
Faculty and students visit the birthplace of Ignatius of Loyola
Story and photos by Ashley Rowland
Inside the wood-beamed chapel of a medieval castle, Fr. Jason Brauninger, S.J., led a dozen Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing faculty, students, and new graduates in a solemn Mass that held special meaning for the group.
Now called the Chapel of the Conversion, this room was where Ignatius of Loyola—founder of the Jesuit order and namesake of Loyola University Chicago—recovered from a war injury more than 500 years ago and committed himself to a life of service to God.
“My hope is that being here will help the students and faculty be more connected to our Jesuit mission and gain a better understanding of the life of St. Ignatius,” said Brauninger, a clinical assistant professor and family and emergency nurse practitioner. “I hope this helps them embrace the Jesuit ideals of service, leadership, and justice in their own lives.”
The religious ceremony was the culmination of Loyola Nursing’s weeklong service immersion trip to Lourdes, France, where students assisted pilgrims at a major Catholic shrine in a ritual for those seeking healing. On their final day, the group traveled two hours to Spain to visit the stone fortress where Ignatius was born and went through many of the formative experiences that led to his religious transformation.
The Mass was especially moving for Ronald Chauca, BSN ’24, who also holds a theology degree and once considered entering the priesthood. “Seeing the origins of my Jesuit education—it all stemmed from this room, this time, this conversion,” he said, adding that he hopes to apply the saint’s example of renewal and commitment to learning in his nursing practice. “I’m asking St. Ignatius to pray for me, that the power of his conversion and renewal may become concrete in my own spiritual life and practice as a nurse.”
For students and faculty, the visit humanized a distant historical figure.
“I feel closer to Ignatius than I ever have,” said Mary Heinz, clinical assistant professor. “Being here, you realize that we all have the potential to learn from our experiences and our suffering and, like Ignatius, draw closer to God. We’re inspired to become the best version of ourselves.”
Marty McNaughton, BSN ’25, noted that “religious figures almost seem untouchable, but to be where they once were makes you realize they were people, too. To be where Ignatius once was is almost a spiritual experience in and of itself, and it’s amazing to see the impact someone can have for so long.”
Nikolina Vujcic, BSN ’24, graduated with four years’ worth of memories from being part of the Rambler cheerleading squad. But at the start of her undergraduate career, she knew little about the Jesuit values underpinning the University.
“When I made the cheer team, part of that training was understanding the background of Loyola, understanding St. Ignatius, and understanding what the wolf and kettle meant,” she said, referring to the Loyola family crest that today is part of the University’s emblem.
For Vujcic, seeing the same crest she saw daily in Rogers Park on the other side of the world was inspiring.
“To finish my college career in the place where it all started is really a full circle moment,” she said.