Apostleship of Prayer Spirituality
 
 

THE SPIRITUAL EXERCISES OF ST. IGNATIUS

  Ignatian Spirituality, can be presented as transmitting:

 a) a vision of the Kingdom of God as present in a tangible way;
 b) a unity consisting of the spiritual with all other aspects of human living;
 c) a unity between prayer and action  -- contemplation and action;
 d) a culmination in the Contemplation to attain the love of God.

If we wish to understand Ignatian Spirituality, we need to realize that the origin of it began in the solitude of Manresa where Ignatius originally planned a stay of only a few days but which was finally extended into a period of ten months under the inspiration of God and from that experience he developed The Spiritual Exercises.    Accordingly, the foundation of the Spirituality of St. Ignatius and that of the Society of Jesus, is intimately derived from the spirituality of The Spiritual Exercises "and that, consequently, as far as the essentials are concerned, nothing existed before that time and nothing was added to it afterwards, despite all the additions and corrections made by Ignatius over a long period of years."
Within The Spiritual Exercises the key spiritual doctrine of Ignatius would be expressed in:

  "But while one is engaged in The Spiritual Exercises, it is more suitable and much better that the Creator and Lord in person communicate Himself to the devout soul in quest of the divine will, that He inflame it with His love and praise, and dispose it for the way in which it could serve God in the future." :

That God does act directly on the soul of the retreatant.

     The Exercises aim at a complete conversion of the individual, and, through what is often called "the domino effect", the conversion of society.   St. Ignatius often spoke of the need to Christianize the Christians.   Originally he gave these Exercises individually which led to an outstanding change in the lives of these individuals.   Pius XII said that the Exercises of St. Ignatius will always be one of the most efficacious means to achieve the spiritual regeneration of the world and its return to right order, on the condition, however, that the Exercises remain genuine Ignatian .

The Exercises, largely based on Scripture, are arranged for the efficacious pursuit of the work of Christ by the ways and means which He Himself designated.   Ignatius brings out two components in his retreat: God's gift of Creation and God's gift of Redemption.   The exercitant is brought to a change of heart, leading to a deep commitment to the human Person of the living Jesus.
 
 
 

For more information contact The Director.

Return to Home Page.