Joseph Conwell, SJ, in his doctoral dissertation at the Gregorian University in Rome, studied the Ignatian ideal of simul in actione contemplativus, contemplative in action. This phrase came from Jerome Nadal, SJ, who lived from 1507 to 1580. Fr. Nadal used this expression one time in his writings to describe St. Ignatius Loyola, and it stuck. 400 years later, Fr. Conwell, after attaining his doctorate, wrote two books on the topic. At one point, Fr. Conwell contrasted simul in actione contemplativus with the Benedictine motto, ora et labora, which is a rhythm of prayer (ora) and labor (labora), periodic alternations between formal prayer and manual labor. Benedictine manual labor is normally of such a kind that it frees the mind for contemplation. The Ignatian ideal, on the other hand, is not alternation of action with contemplation, but, rather their mixture, finding God even in the midst of strenuous, complex undertakings. This is why the examen is such an important prayer in Ignatian spirituality.
Today is the feast of St. Joseph the worker. It was established by Pope Pius XII in 1955 as a contrast to Marxist ideals of labor. In this time of Coronavirus pandemic, as many of us struggle to understand our roles as workers, let us look to St. Joseph for guidance. Was he closer to the Ignatian ideal of simul in actione contemplativus or closer to the Benedictine ideal of ora et labora? Either way, may he be our intercessor and our guide.