Be aware of gods presence within you and all around you. When are spiritual exercises ignatian spiritual exercises. Still agonizing over a life choice, dating situation, or career path. We set off on our journey by first preparing our hearts for the overarching goal of the four weeks of the spiritual exercises. Ignatian spirituality jesuit conference of canada and the. It describes a series of meditations and contemplations on christ, the world and ourselves.
These remembrances for me often consist of times and circumstances during the day in which i felt anxious or i felt a need to be in control. The principle and foundation of the exercises states that people are created to praise, reverence, and serve god our lord. Ignatiuss fourteen rules constitute a program for progressive growth in discernment of spirits. The ignatian examen examination of consciousness st. May 20, 2016 in this article, we give a thomistic analysis of ignatian consolation and desolation as they are found in ignatius of loyolas spiritual exercises. Preparation 5 i take a relaxed position with a straight back. For the christian, spirituality can be defined as life in accord with the spirit of god, a life that makes us sons and daughters of god rom. For the christian, spirituality can be defined as life in accord with the spirit of god, a life that makes us sons and daughters of. Experiencing the spiritual exercises of saint ignatius in daily life is a comprehensive guide to the faith of st.
We know we are moving in this way when we sense the growth of love or faith or mercy or hopeor any qualities we know as gifts of the holy spirit. Sometimes our emotions can be the result of physical conditions or brain chemistry. The word we often use for the evil that is opposed to god is satan or the devil. It is the central task of discern ment to notice which feelings, moods and thoughts can be trusted coming from the good spirit. Sep 21, 2016 ignatian contemplation is a way of using your imagination to place yourself in a scene from scripture or with jesus or mary or god the father.
For 10 weeks, well be counting the gifts of ignatian spirituality by bringing you special content on our website and special offers from our sponsor, loyola press. Mar 29, 2017 spiritual desolation and humility an advantage of spiritual desolation is that it produces a deep and true humility in us. The spiritual exercises of ignatius of loyola latin original. As you learn to discern spiritual consolation and desolation, you can distinguish whether an emotion might be the result of clinical depression or if it is related to spiritual desolation. Rules for becoming aware and understanding to some extent the different movements which are caused in the soul, the good, to receive them, and the bad to reject them. He is at the point of my pen, my pick, my paintbrush, my needle and my heart and my thoughts. Ignatius of loyolas 14 rules for the discernment of spirits, having gone through the first four rules up to this point. When we hear a sermon on humility, or read a spiritual treatise, or meditate seriously, we come to the conclusion that we are very miserable beings. Your emotions and the spiritual life ignatian spiritual. Exx 317 florence no longer has the courage to go to mass.
Prepare for gospel contemplation by being still for a time. The feeling is removed so that we can grow spiritually. The ignatian rules for discernment of spirits are meant to be of help. I call desolation all the contrary of the third rule, such as darkness of soul. Finding hope in a time of desolation ignatian solidarity. During an examen, one reflects on the current day, focussing on memories from the events of the day as a way of recognizing the divine. In her book, the inner compass, margaret silf provides an excellent description of the role these two words play in our process of discernment. I call it consolation when an interior movement is aroused in the soul, by which it is inflamed with love of its creator and lord, and as a. In the ignatian tradition, discernment involves two key words. Saint ignatius lived a life of gallant soldierhood that was interrupted by a cannon ball in the knee. They are the foundation of the discernment of spirits. Rather than a prayer utilized to clear ones conscience, the examen is a prayer of consciousness. In part i and part ii, i wrote about the agony of discernment and the necessity for silence in the decisionmaking process. The ignatian principles of consolation and desolation can help us.
The spiritual path laid out by ignatius is a way of discerning. In this article, we give a thomistic analysis of ignatian consolation and desolation as they are found in ignatius of loyolas spiritual exercises. How to deal with desolation the last few months i have been writing about st. Once called devils valley, californias desolation wilderness is a 100squaremile protected forest near. After being wounded at a battle in pamplona, ignatius had to spend a long time in bed, and though he would have preferred his normal fare of tales of. Ignatius was born in the basque region of northern spain in 1491. With the eyes of your heart, look at god looking at you. The ignatian solidarity network isn is a national social justice network inspired by the spirituality of st. The discernment of spirits part 1 god in all things.
A humble and persevering effort to live according to the wisdom of these rules, assisted by a spiritual guide and with trust in gods always sufficient grace, gradually forms the mature spiritual person, able to discern and overcome the deceptions of the enemy, faithfully fulfilling gods will. Thibodeauxs book on ignatian discernment, called gods voice within. In desolation, try not to change major plans that were made at a time of consolation. If, however, the feelings are predominantly stifling and negative ignatian desolation, then we must keep the process open until we can arrive at a decision that head and heart can jointly embrace. And these rules are more proper for the first week. Experiencing the spiritual exercises of saint ignatius in daily life by kevin obrien, sj 317 continuing his phenomenological approach, ignatius uses qualities for desolation that are contrary to those of consolation.
It is a set of guidelines to help the retreat director give the spiritual exercises to another. An author of numerous popular works on ignatian spirituality and catholic subjects, father martins most recent books include seven last words. Isn was founded in 2004 and is a layled 501c3 organization working in partnership with jesuit universities, high schools, and parishes, along with many other catholic institutions and social justice partners. In time of desolation, it is chiefly the evil spirit who guides and counsels us. Exercitia spiritualia, composed 15221524, are a set of christian meditations, contemplations, and prayers written by ignatius of loyola, a 16thcentury spanish priest, theologian, and founder of the society of jesus jesuits. In his keynote address to the european conference on the spiritual exercises, the author affirmed that adaptation is essential the exercises. The ignatian spirituality of the way 9 ignatius was sensitive to a god ever greater in the lives of others respect for gods freedom and for the diversity of times, persons and circumstances. The following criteria shall show which of them are of special importance when making lifedecisions.
Even in the absence of feeling like gods grace is there it is there. Jesuit institute discernment of spirits seeking and finding god in our experience if we believe that god is acting in the world through the holy spirit, it makes sense to try to follow. Depression and spiritual desolation 51 me, i spend hours slumped in an armchair, unable to do anything. It is constantly used in scripture and tradition for example, jerusalembabylon. The feelings stirred up by good and evil spirits are called consolation and desolation in the language of ignatian spirituality. The essential overall goal is happiness, which is defined as the absence of such clinical. Ignatian spirituality conference authorstream presentation.
Carl jung and the spiritual exercises of ignatius loyola anthony t. Spiritual consolation and desolation catholicism pure. Eight tools for combatting desolation ignatian spirituality. A person dwells in a state of consolation when she or he is moving toward gods active presence in the world. The essential overall goal is happiness, which is defined as the absence of such clinical symptoms as depression, anger and withdrawal. The spiritual exercises of st ignatius is not a book to be read for spiritual enlightenment. I call desolation all the contrary of the third rule, such as darkness of soul, disturbance in it, movement to low and earthly things, disquiet from various agitations and temptations, moving to lack of confidence, without hope, without love, finding oneself totally slothful, tepid, sad and as if separated from ones creator and lord.
One of the most popular ignatian exercises is the daily examen. Ignatian spiritualityreasons for desolation youtube. A glossary of terms used in ignatian and jesuit circles. Dominics church, may 26, 2015, presented by michael osmith why do you pray. Jan 31, 2017 the ignatian solidarity network isn is a national social justice network inspired by the spirituality of st. Ignatian spirituality is grounded in the conviction that god is active in our world. Jeffery jambon in this meditation on spiritual consolation and desolation takes us through some reasons for desolation that will bring us closer to god. Over time, ignatius wrote down his experience with the ways the good and the evil spirits worked within him, how they affected feelings of consolation and desolation, and how they stirred his heart and conscience.
Ignatian spirituality and positive psychology 43 overlapping terminologies positive psychology uses specific terminologies to describe its goals and its successes. Ignatius loyola, as author and jesuit priest kevin o brien present an studious exploration of faith and how to gain a better understanding of it. Go against the desolation if possible, god is still there even if it does not feel like it. Ignatius of loyola defines it in the fourth rule of his spiritual exercises, contains attributes such as darkness of soul, disturbance in it, movement to low and earthly things, disquiet from various agitations and temptations, moving to lack of confidence, without hope, without love, finding oneself totally slothful, tepid, sad, and,read more. What is spiritual desolation and how do i get out of it. This may have been the best thing that happened to him as during his convalescence god.
Specifically, we show that aquinass explanation of peace, joy, and discord in his discussion of charity provides an appropriate lens through which we can view ignatian consolation and desolation. Nb spiritual desolation is not the same as depression, care must be taken to distinguish the two. The ignatian examen, or the daily examen is a contemplative prayer led by memory. He is a member of the oblates of the virgin mary and was ordained by saint john paul ii on may 25, 1986. Peter chanel church in hawaiian gardens, california. Consolation and desolation when ignatius dictated his reminiscences towards the end of his life, he spoke at some length of the process of his conversion. Ignatian spiritual directors accompany or guide people through the exercises in retreat houses, parishes, and other settings.
Discernment of spirits seeking and finding god in our experience. Summary the purpose of the examen is to become more aware of god and gods activity in your life. Divided into four thematic weeks of variable length, they are designed to be carried out over a. Experiencing the spiritual exercises of saint ignatius in daily life by kevin obrien, sj 6148 this image has a prehistorical origin. Spiritual exercises of ignatius of loyola wikipedia.
During an examen, one reflects on the current day, focussing on memories from the events of the day as a way of recognizing the divine presence. Spiritual consolation is an experience of being so on fire with gods love that we feel impelled to praise, love, and serve god and help others as best as we can. I recall the last time i experienced god, peace, love. Depression and spiritual desolation 49 the soul is completely listless, tepid and as though separated from its creator and lord. The spiritual exercises of st ignatius pathways to god. Most important are the movements which arise during prayer, especially those of consolation and desolation 5j5. Spiritual desolation and humility an advantage of spiritual desolation is that it produces a deep and true humility in us. Pope franciss words of wisdom on christian hope compiled in the book, on hope, speak almost prophetically to our times. Although it includes prayer, piety and the socalled interior life, it is ultimately a way of living and acting. Hence, a welldiscerned choice can entail enduring periods of struggle and pain while at the same time be supported by a deep sense of gods presence and love. Introduction to discernment of spirits ignatian spirituality.
Nov 17, 2011 for st ignatius, spiritual consolation and desolation are major elements of the experience of spiritual life and the discernment of gods will therein. Fr eds teaches catholic ignatian marian spirituality through articles, podcasts, a radio show, retreats and spiritual direction. Ignatian spirituality jesuit conference of canada and. For st ignatius, spiritual consolation and desolation are major elements of the experience of spiritual life and the discernment of gods will therein.
Aug 11, 2017 father ed broom, omv, is associate pastor of st. Ignatian spirituality has a remarkable nowness, both in its attentiveness to god and in its desire to respond to what god is asking of the person now. Education, jesuitignatius of loyola and his first companions, who founded the society of jesus in 1540, did not originally intend to establish schools. Discernment of spirits seeking and finding god in our.
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