Patrick's Ponderings
Saint Ignatius of Antioch (d. ~107), early Church Father and martyr, teaches Catholic leaders the value of collaboration rooted in unity and humility.
As bishop of Antioch, Ignatius emphasized the Church as a harmonious body, urging bishops, presbyters, and laity to work together under Christ’s authority. In his letters, written en route to martyrdom, he stressed the Eucharist as a unifying act, fostering communal collaboration. He modeled deference to Rome’s Church, promoting cooperation across communities for the Gospel’s sake. Ignatius’ willingness to suffer for the faith showed leadership through service, encouraging leaders to collaborate sacrificially.
Catholic leaders learn from him to build teams grounded in shared faith, respect hierarchical roles, and prioritize unity over division, ensuring collaborative efforts reflect Christ’s love and advance the Church’s mission.
When have you experienced the times when working as a team, the addition of 1 + 1 yielded much more than “2”. How have you worked to continue that as a part of your culture?
