Miles Christi
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Miles Christi (Latin: Soldier of Christ) is a Roman Catholic religious institute founded in 1984 by Fr. Roberto Juan Yannuzzi in Argentina. They are dedicated to helping Catholics grow in their faith and sanctification. Among other apostolates, they preach the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola. They hold courses and spiritual retreats in Italy, Argentina, Mexico, and the United States.
See its official web page.
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Miles Christi was a name given to the members of the Iona Community by its founder George MacLeod. The origin of this image of being a Soldier for Christ may have its roots in Martin of Tours who as a former Roman Soldier applied similar discipline to Christian life and was a great inspiration to the early Church in Scotland. St Martin's Cross, a high Celtic Cross carved in stone, stands to this day outside the entrance to the Church of Iona Abbey. The image also reflects a tradition of someone remaining on watch. The early Christian Community on Iona founded by St Columba sent members out to evangelise mainland Scotland and beyond, with some members remaining behind. George MacLeod had been a decorated soldier in World War I. He founded the Iona Community just before the outbreak of World War II. It could be suggested that with military imagery dominant in the wider culture at the time he sought a symbol of discipline that could be applied to churches involved in rebuilding local communities.
