Cave of saint Ignatius, Manresa, Spain, 05/17/2019
A little late for the morning mass. It had already started. In this small cave, Saint Ignatius began his asceticism and stayed here for 11 months. He wrote The Spiritual Exercises.
I came here because I wanted to see his vessel for food. It's over 500 years old. The household items that a person has always used are tamed with times and the spirit of him naturally permeates into them. I could feel the spirit of simple and humble dessolved in this small wooden vessel.
On the left is the door he had blocked for his prayer and contemplation. I put the rosary that my late mother had used when she prayed daily inside the cave and looked outward. The day before she left told me that I should bring Loyola. At that times I did not know what it means. Might my mother brought me here for future even though she did not mean it.
Saint Ignatius might seem to have carved the cross. Daily life in cave might have had nothing but paryer and contemplation.
Although Eucharist and wine being used for Mass now, the place might be used for daily things during his staying in the dark cave.
Now the entrance to the cave has been ornately decorated by his followers.