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 exercises
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
My Spiritual Exercises
Today I finally received a copy of The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius from Paperback Swap. I have been intrigued by the Jesuit Order probably since I first saw a Jesuit missionary portrayed in a movie, and could not be sure if he was a good guy or bad guy. I chose to do a brief study (which I have included below) of the Jesuits and Ignatius for research in the Global Christian History course at Wesley Seminary.
