As I stated in the week 4 post, had I read the whole book before beginning the Exercises, I would have known that the Supplemental Matter was to be used during weeks 1 to 4. In addition to the Scriptures to be used for contemplation, there are also four subjects covered, which I will highlight below. There are similar vignettes in the weekly instructions, so I did not expect to find more in the back of the book that would be tied to specific weeks. To me, this highlights the need for our spiritual formation to be well organized.
Category Archives: spiritual formation
Ordering Spiritual Formation
I have been having been trying to determine which spiritual formation material I will go through next and blog about. Most recently I went through The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius, a classic work from outside my tradition. Last year, I blogged as I went through SoulShift, a modern work written by Wesleyans. I have been reviewing material wondering if I should read something modern or another classic, try a different denomination’s material or promote something Wesleyan, find a work that is internal focused or action focused. Continue reading Ordering Spiritual Formation
Communal and Individualistic Spirituality
Jason L. has another great post over at Ascending Mount Carmel, this time writing on his transition from a private to communal spirituality.
. . . I think that really the communal side of spirituality and the individualistic side of it are really just two aspects of one kind of spirituality. Not everyone is called to be a living flame in the desert like St. Macarius or St. Anthony of Egypt; nor is everyone called to be a saint “in the world” like St. Frances Xavier Cabrini or St. Thomas More – but we are called to have a spiritual life, and this can include elements of both sides of the coin. Continue reading Communal and Individualistic Spirituality
The Spiritual Exercises: Week 4
Spoilers in this paragraph. The meditations of the fourth week (intimate union with God through Christ with meditations on the joys (resurrection and ascension) of Christ) continued with contemplation on the the appearances of Jesus after the resurrection and his ascension. Continue reading The Spiritual Exercises: Week 4
8 Attributes in Effective Spiritual Formation: Lessons Learned from Saint Ignatius
Having spent the last 40 days (approximately) going through The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius, this post is a compilation of the lessons I have gleaned on spiritual formation as I analyzed the structure and content of this time-tested form of spiritual formation used by the Jesuits since the order’s inception. These 8 Attributes in Effective Spiritual Formation are not necessarily a comprehensive list to make a perfect church program, as the Exercises are more meditative than action orientated, but are those applicable elements which I found in Ignatius’ work. My posts from when I went through the Exercises are linked at the end. Continue reading 8 Attributes in Effective Spiritual Formation: Lessons Learned from Saint Ignatius
The Spiritual Exercises: Week 3
Spoilers in this paragraph. The meditations of the third week (intimate union with God through Christ with meditations on the passion of Christ) continued with contemplation on the passion of Jesus, from the preparation of the Last Supper through his burial, focusing on his suffering. Continue reading The Spiritual Exercises: Week 3
The Spiritual Exercises: Week 2 part 2
Spoilers in this paragraph. The meditations of the second week (the illumination of Christ and his call to participate in the Kingdom with meditations on the life of Christ) continued with contemplation on the ministry of Jesus, from his baptism through Palm Sunday. Continue reading The Spiritual Exercises: Week 2 part 2
The Spiritual Exercises: Week 2 part 1
Spoilers in this paragraph. The meditations of the second week (the illumination of Christ and his call to participate in the Kingdom with meditations on the life of Christ) consisted of contemplation on the incarnation and nativity. Continue reading The Spiritual Exercises: Week 2 part 1
The Spiritual Exercises: Week 1
Spoilers in this paragraph. The meditations of the first week consisted of meditations on: the sin of angels, the sin of Adam and Eve, my own sin, Christ our Lord suspended on the cross, and hell. Continue reading The Spiritual Exercises: Week 1
The Spiritual Exercises: The Pre-work Warm-up
The Purpose
The purpose of The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius are “to help one to discard disordered attachments and through this means to order one’s life toward God, without coming to a decision from some disordered attachment pleasing more to self than to God” (Ignatius in Ganss, 1992). As I have just completed seminary and am looking for a place to engage in full-time ministry, going through the Exercises at this time is opportune.
Continue reading The Spiritual Exercises: The Pre-work Warm-up