Walking in Advent with Mary – Our Roots and Fruits
Ignatian Day of Prayer and Reflection
Office of Ignatian Spirituality – St. Ignatius School, Bronx NY
Earlier this December, the library of St. Ignatius School in the Bronx became a space of encounter and spirituality. Around 45 people, including families and students, participated in the Ignatian Day of Prayer and Reflection: Walking in Advent with Mary – Our Roots and Fruits.
The purpose was to offer time to recognize the roots of faith and life present in each family and to discover the fruits we wish to cultivate during this season of preparation for Christmas. Inspired by Mary and the image of the monarch butterfly, participants reflected on how small gestures of hope can spark profound transformations in the community and in the world.
The day began with a prayer led by Alec Hufford, SJ, followed by activities guided by Zandra Schiemann and Father Jack Fagan, SJ, from the Office of Ignatian Spirituality.
The essence of the gathering unfolded in three moments:
the “butterfly effect” in Mary, showing how small things can transform history
our roots and fruits; and
Mary, migrant of hope, who invites us to walk with confidence from fragility and the margins.
Throughout the day, each family built their own tree, a living symbol of roots and fruits grounded in the values of love, hope, peace, and joy. These values, shared and celebrated in community, became bridges that connect hearts, help overcome obstacles, and open paths to draw closer to God.
The final prayer, centered on Mary, invited us to be, like her, migrants of hope, remembering that her humble “yes” continues to bear fruit in our families and communities.
The gathering concluded with fraternal sharing over hot chocolate and donuts, along with the distribution of commemorative mugs celebrating the school’s 30 years in the Bronx.
