The Spiritual Exercises
Overview
The Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola is a short spiritual journey designed to direct the participant towards the discernment of God’s will and a renewed vigor to faithfully pursue him. St. Ignatius originally intended the manual to be used over the course of one month and under the supervision of a spiritual advisor. His meditations demand contemplation and the willingness to confront sin and dedicate oneself to a spiritual life.
Top Highlights
“For it is not knowing much, but realising and realising things interiorly, that contents and satisfies the soul.” (Page 4)
“Prayer. The Preparatory Prayer is to ask grace of God our Lord that all my intentions, actions and operations may be directed purely to the service and praise of His Divine Majesty.” (Page 35)
“I presuppose that there are three kinds of thoughts in me: that is, one my own, which springs from my mere liberty and will; and two others, which come from without, one from the good spirit, and the other from the bad.” (Page 25)
“Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my intellect, and all my will—all that I have and possess. Thou gavest it to me: to Thee, Lord, I return it! All is Thine, dispose of it according to all Thy will. Give me Thy love and grace, for this is enough for me.” (Page 120)
“It is very helpful to him who is receiving the Exercises to enter into them with great courage and generosity towards his Creator and Lord, offering1 Him all his will and liberty, that His Divine Majesty may make use of his person and of all he has according1 to His most Holy Will.” (Pages 5–6)
- Title: The Spiritual Exercises
- Author: St. Ignatius of Loyola
- Translator: Elder Mullan
- Publisher: New York: P. J. Kenedy
- Publication Date: 1914
- Pages: 205
Born in 1491, St. Ignatius of Loyola (1863–1917) was a Spanish knight, priest, theologian and founder of the Society of Jesus. He died in 1556.
