An Ode To The Society Of Jesus

An Ode To The Society Of Jesus:

ODE TO THE SOCIETY OF JESUS

BY ELEANOR C. DONNELLY

ASSOCIATES of Jesus!
O privilege sublime,
Surpassing all the wildest flights
Of mythologic rhyme—
Companions of the Blessed Christ
In very truth to be,
In life and death to humbly share
His sweet society!

Dear company of Jesus !
Thy sainted founder prayed
That on the shoulders of his sons
The cross might, aye, be laid;
Ignatius! 'twere a needless prayer,—
Love ne'er is at a loss,
Who walketh close to Calv'ry's king
Is sure of Calv'ry's cross.

The bitterness of mortal pain,
Abandoned and betrayed;
The false tribunals of the world
Where justice stands dismayed;
The stripes, the thorns, the nails, the lance,
Men's scorn, and demons' rage,
Companions of the crucified!
These are your heritage!

But ever in the battle's front,
The vanguard of the king,
The great Society hath place,
Heroic, combating;
And in its fair celestial ranks
Full many a saint appears,
Rubies and diamonds the crown
Of martyr blood and tears.

Onward and upward, then, to swell
Those glad seraphic choirs!
Your feet are in the print of saints,
Sons of immortal sires!
From heaven's heights your brethren lean,
They beckon, lo! they call,"
God's greater glory be your aim,
His will your life, your all!"