Reflection 3

The aspect of today's visits that I found the most interesting was the names. On the outside of the Church of the Jesu, I saw IHS in large letters inside of an oval. I knew that J is sometime seen as I, like on top of the crucifix, but I had never seen the IHS before. Professor White explained that it stands for Jesus of Human Kind Savior, and that it is the motto of the Jesuits. He then talked at length about how important names are. I did not know the details of the story of Moses and the burning bush, and how God named himself "I Am" to Moses. Professor White pointed out that names have the most power, because we are more open to being hurt by those who know our name. There is also a positive connotation, because we can be helped most by those who know us as well. 

Facade of the Church of the Jesu, with the IHS over the door. 

Another aspect of the importance of names is that the apostles perform their miracles only when invoking Jesus' name. In the same way, many religious people now end their prayers with something like "in Jesus' name we pray, amen." This invocation of his name shows that through the name there is power, which is not to be abused. This is also why there is the concept of "do not take the lord's name in vain" still around today. A name is a powerful thing, which is really evidenced by this church. 

The Jesuits, formed in 1534 and approved by Pope Paul III in 1540, derives their name from Jesus' name. The Church of the Jesu really emphasizes Jesus' name and the importance it should have in worship. The IHS was also present over the alter in the apse, surrounded by rays of light reaching out to the congregation. In the fresco on the ceiling, IHS was depicted as the source of light in the center of the image, with all holiness spreading out from it. 

The IHS over the alter. 

IHS can be faintly seen in the bottom portion of the reflection. 

I learned from the textbook that the motto of the Jesuits is Ad majorem Dei gloriam or To the greater glory of God (pg. 254). It seems to me that this church does a good job in emphasizing the glory of God, through the use of artwork and Jesus' name depicting the holiness that stems from him. Overall, this church helped demonstrate why the Jesuits took that name, and the power that one name can have.