Solemnity of Saint Ignatius of Loyola 2026
08/31/2026, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
The Society of Jesus in the Dominican Republic celebrated the Solemnity of Saint Ignatius of Loyola together with the Jesuits of the English-speaking Caribbean and collaborators in the mission.
With the Eucharist commemorating the great inspirer of the universal Ignatian family, Fr. Jorge William Hernández, SJ, took office as Provincial of the Caribbean. Alongside him, Fr. Emilio Travieso, SJ, begins his duties as Socius of the Province, and Fr. Eugenio Rivas, SJ, as Superior of the Dominican Republic section.
The Jesuits of the Dominican Republic participated in this celebration after experiencing the 8-day Spiritual Exercises. At the end of the Exercises, the Jesuits of the English-speaking Caribbean arrived in Santo Domingo; they joined the celebration for Saint Ignatius, and then participated in their annual sectional meeting, which will conclude during the first days of August.
The Mass was also a thanksgiving for the service of Fr. Martin Lenk, SJ, outgoing Provincial of the Caribbean, who was the first Provincial since the establishment of the Caribbean as a Jesuit Province, and the last of the former Antilles Province.
The Manresa Loyola Retreat House in Santo Domingo was packed with collaborators, members of the apostolic corps, and collaborators of the Jesuit works in the Dominican Republic. We thank them for their loyalty, steadfastness, and the love with which they accompany us in the mission in the Caribbean.
