Apostleship of PrayerSpirituality
THE SPIRITUAL EXERCISES OF ST. IGNATIUS
Beside the material for prayer, Ignatius provides the director with many helps to assist him in the guiding of the retreatant: discernment of feelings that operate in the depths of a person, esp. with regard to consolation and desolation, practical techniques for decision making., guidelines for fasting and for thinking with the Church. Even though Ignatius gives a structured approach to prayer, his basic attitude is expressed in
"These exercises have as their basic purpose the conquest of self and the regulation of one's life in such a way that no decision is made under the influence of any inordinate attachment."
Though proceeding logically, and rationalistic in language, The Exercises are primarily concerned with the activations and development of deep affectivity: this is clearly illustrated in the contemplations of the Second Week:
"This is to ask for what I desire. Here it will be to ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely."
This is further demonstrated by the thematic Exercises, The Kingdom, Two Standards, The Three Classes of Persons, and The three Kinds of humility. Examining these exercises , the retreatant being lead to a deeper penetration of himself, his emotions and his affective commitment, all with the avowed aim for encouraging greater intimacy with the Divine.
Ignatius divided the Retreat into four weeks, the word "week" being used to define a part of The Exercises. The First Week is concerned with God's love, The First Principle and Foundation, sin, repentance, mercy and forgiveness; The Second Week with the Kingdom and the life of Jesus from the Annunciation to the last Journey to Jerusalem; the Third Week with the life of Jesus from the Last Supper to His death on the Cross; The Fourth Week with the Resurrection and the Contemplation to obtain Love of God.
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