‘Going against the flow’ aptly summarise the pontificate of Pope Francis. His prophetic gesture of washing the feet of women on Holy Thursday, his surprise visits to orphanages and hospitals as part of “Fridays of Mercy”, his striking simplicity of life are a few examples this. These are ordinary deeds done in an extraordinary way [GE 17]. The apostolic exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad) is a call to holiness in today’s world. Holiness is not confined to priests and religious but it is meant for all. One is invited to live in holiness in the hustle and bustle of life. Holiness is nothing but ‘going against the flow’ [GE 65-94]. Let us look at the main features of GE in the light of Ignatian spirituality.

Joseph A. D’Mello, SJ

The author is a professor of Spirituality at JDV, Pune.