Orientation to Ignatian SpiritualityFr. Kim Lachica, S.J.

Faculty Induction ProgramJune 6, 2012

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Themes in Ignatian spirituality1. The spirit of Magis and the desire for great

things2. Spiritual pilgrimage and discernment in the

journey3. The transformation of self4. Engaging the world in ministry5. Companionship for mission

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1. The spirit of Magis and the desire for great things

• In the Spiritual Exercises, Ignatius teaches the retreatant to clarify his/her desire: a “schooling of desires”: alignment of personal desires with God’s desires

• Ignatius’ canonization, 1622: “a heart big enough to hold the universe”; a heart geared to “set the world aflame”

• Ignatian spirituality is a spirituality of passion, magnanimity and generosity, a spirituality of great desires

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2. Spiritual pilgrimage and discernment in the journey

• Ignatius as pilgrim in search for God: from Loyola to Manresa, to Holy Land, to studies in Europe, to founding the Society

• An external journey which was also internal: guided by noticing the spirits within: discernment

• Discernment of spirits: the good and bad

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Discernment of Spirits• Two spiritual movements: consolation & desolation

• The “good spirit” creates consolation: an “increase in hope, faith, & charity… bringing tranquility & peace”

• The “bad spirit” instills desolation: a condition opposite consolation, an “obtuseness of soul, turmoil, impulsive motion toward low & earthly things, disquiet from various agitations & temptations, listless, tepid, unhappy, feels separated…”

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Discernment of Spirits• In times of desolation, one should never make a change

in previously planned resolutions in life, but instead practice greater diligence in prayer, meditation, self-examination…

• The “bad spirit” is weak in face of firmness, strong in face of timidity; operates like a “false lover,” trying to remain secret, undetected; attacks us where we are most vulnerable

• It disguises as an “angel of light”: allowing the person to do good at the beginning only to be swerved little by little toward evil, through quietly instigated deceits, manipulations, temptations

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2. Spiritual pilgrimage and discernment in the journey

• Discernment of the will of God: states of life, vocation, mission, choices, commitments

• Discernment of consciousness: the examen; finding God in all things

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3. Transformation of self• The Spiritual Exercises as a structured process of

self-transformation• “To get rid of all its disordered affections, & then,

after their removal, of seeking & finding God’s will in the ordering of our life”

• “Disordered affections” are tendencies & attachments that prevent one from achieving one’s basic purpose in life

• “’Dissonant needs’ like aggression, dependence, inferiority, risk avoidance, exhibitionism, humiliation”

• A “pedagogy of self-transcendence”

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3. Transformation of self through the Spiritual Exercises

• Considering a fundamental purpose and meaning of life: the Principle and Foundation

• Achieving deep self-knowledge & self-acceptance

• Making value-based choices & life decisions• Forming healthy dispositions for continuing change

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4. Engaging the world in ministry

• To “help souls”: preaching, conversation, charity, lay associations

• Strengthening the “apostolic tradition” (vis. monastic) in the Church

• A world-affirming/engaging (vis. world-rejecting) orientation

• “Simul in actione contemplativus”: contempative in the midst of action

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5. Companionship in mission

• “Compania” or fellowship; “societas” or companionship; “friends in the Lord”

• “Comunitas ad dispersionem” or community in dispersion

• Discernment in common• The imperative of communication: letter-

writing, conversation, fraternal correction

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A “methodical” spirituality• “Precision for directives,” “need for constant

adaptation”• Gave rise to the retreat ministry of the Church;

Ignatius as patron saint of retreats• A “way of proceeding” (modo de proceder)• “Spiritu, corde, practice”: in the Spirit, from the

heart, practically; • Cura personalis, cura apostolica, cura socialis• Spiritual governance & leadership: the interior law

of charity; “discreta caritas”

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A model for spiritual formation of leaders

• Formation of capacities and dispositions• Capacities: range of skills, competencies,

abilities, capabilities• Dispositions: underlie capacities: attitudes,

stances, temperaments, inclinations, preferences;

ethos, tenor, character, spirit, potential, intentionality

The Awareness Examen

ThanksgivingAsking for InsightLooking at My DayAsking for ForgivenessLooking to Tomorrow

Thanksgiving

At each moment of our day, Our God is giving us gifts. As we look over the day we seek to appreciate all the good things that have happened to us and thank God for these…

Asking for Insight

We pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit to help us understand ourselves better. We ask for the wisdom to see ourselves clearly…

Looking at My Day

God is calling us to share peace and love with others…As we ponder our behavior today, we begin to see patterns and connections which open our eyes to our own weakness and self-centered-ness. Looking back over our day, we come to realize the contrast between God’s goodness and our failure to love.

Looking for Tomorrow

We look at tomorrow with optimism and confidence, by asking God’s help…

We ask to touch those areas which have come into focus during our prayer. Attitudes to change?Decisions to be made?Relationship to mend?

The Awareness Examen

• Thanksgiving• Asking for Insight• Looking at My Day• Asking for Forgiveness• Looking to Tomorrow

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The Ignatian prayer for generosity

Teach me true generosity.Teach me to serve you as you deserve.To give without counting the cost,To fight heedless of wounds,To labor without seeking rest, To sacrifice myself without thought of any rewardSave the knowledge that I have done your will.