To the editors:
As one of the “ignoramuses” in question that has spent much time decorating – and therefore “disrespecting” – the statue of our beloved Iggy. As referred to by Patrick Lynch in the March 18 opinion article, “Use of St. Ignatius statue as mannequin disrespectful,” I believe that I am entitled to voice my own opinion about the matter of dressing the statue of our beloved patron in the very heart of our school.
Dressing Iggy is a tradition that has been at Loyola for a very long time, much longer than myself, the current administration or even Dr. Lynch himself.
Lynch makes the claim that we, the students responsible for dressing Iggy, are using Iggy as a billboard or a mannequin. I must disagree.
We dress Iggy to bring him into what we do, and make him a part of what is happening in our lives. The five-foot molding of bronze is no longer just a statue, but rather an embodiment of Ignatius’ spirit taking part in the lives of the students and faculty. Because of this, the patron of our school is made real to us—he is not only a historical figure, but a very real presence in our community who is part of our Loyola family.
When Loyola celebrates, Iggy celebrates. When Loyola hopes, Iggy hopes. And when Loyola parties too much because the Saints win the Super Bowl, well, Iggy does, too. This statue has become a very important campus centerpoint, which has been embraced by, and reflects, the mood of the student body.
Iggy is an integral part of our community. In the same way that you “can only imagine that the Laborde family, who donated the statue, would be equally shocked,” I can only imagine that Laborde family is overjoyed that their donation has become such a central, indispensable, embraced and beloved part of our Loyola family.
To the same effect, I can only imagine that the administrations from other schools are jealous of the very close, almost personal, relationship that students here have with our school’s patron. Even Ignatius himself would probably be overjoyed, and possibly slightly humbled, that his likeness is such an important nexus in the midst of such a vibrant and alive community.
But then again, I’m just an ignoramus, so my opinion probably shouldn’t count for much.
Michael Kammer
Physics senior
