Ignatian SpiritualitySt Paul’s Cathedral

August 15, 2012Feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary

The CatechismQ. What are the principle kinds of prayer?

A. The principle kinds of prayer are adoration, praise, thanksgiving, penitence, oblation, intercession, and petition.

The Book of Common Prayer, p.856

St. Ignatius of Loyola

1491-1556Conversion experience

in 1521Spiritual Exercises,

1524Ordained priest, 1537Founded Society of

Jesus in 1539Constitutions, 1540

Ignatian sourcesSpiritual Exercises

Meditations intended to be followed during a 4-week retreat (19th annotation)

Covers sin, the life of Christ, the Passion, and the Resurrection

DiscernmentThe examen is used after the Exercises

ConstitutionsStructure of the Society of JesusAd Majorem Dei Gloriam

The Autobiography of Ignatius of LoyolaProvides details on Ignatius’ lifeGives insight into the Spiritual Exercises

The JesuitsCurrently 20, 000 priestsFounded to be fiercely loyal to papacyMilitaristic hierarchical structureCounter Reformation focusHighly political and divisiveMulticulturalismHistory of martyrdom, education, scholarshipImportant missionaries in Far East, India, New World,

HollandSuppressed between 1773-1814Changes since mid 20th century include liberation

theology and papal intervention in 1981

Hallmarks of Ignatian spiritualityIncarnationalAdoringPenitentialCorporate and personalScripturalMagisIntercessory and gratefulStructured and goal-oriented

Ignatian pietyAMDGThe Holy NameDevotion to the

Sacred Heart and the Eucharist

Devotion to the Blessed Mother

Ignatian approaches

DiscernmentDeciding between options; magis“The human person is created to praise, reverence, and serve

God Our Lord, and by so doing to save his or her soul… We should desire and choose only what helps us more towards the end for which we are created.” Exercises

Spiritual directionOngoing relationship with a

director to calibrate, share insightsCritically important during the

ExercisesAids in discernmentSometimes can be in a group

setting

Ignatian approaches, continuedMeditation

Composition of placeImaginationFruits

Spiritual ExercisesUse of emotionGoal is union with Christ and perfection of

discernmentUse of meditation, examen, and spiritual

directionFour weeks: sin, the life of Christ, the Passion,

and the ResurrectionSatan and Christ

Ignatian approaches, continuedExamens

General examen, to be performed twice daily, and acts as an examination of conscience

Particular examen, often tied into meditations, and reviews a specific theme or virtue to be developed

Acts of loveAll Ignatian approaches should lead to acts of

service and love for othersOften, discernment happens through these acts

After the meditationImpressions?Things to share?Questions?

Next stepsTake action!Examens