Ruminations of an Irascible Hermit.: St Ignatius of Loyola - Master of Spiritual Direction and Exercises

Monday, July 31, 2023

St Ignatius of Loyola - Master of Spiritual Direction and Exercises

Today is the memorial of St Ignatius of Loyola - teacher and master of the Spiritual Exercises.

He has a fascinating conversion story after being injured in battle and having a broken leg. While in recovery, he was so bored that he had no other choice than to read some spiritual books. This kindled in him a desire for God and a passion to follow Jesus. Eventually he went on pilgrimage, spent time living in a cave, wrote spiritual meditations and studied for the priesthood.

He is most famous for founding the Society of Jesus - the Jesuits. He was fundamental in the Counter Reformation in the Church that helped address the influence of Protestantism and heresy. A lot of our spiritual practices, terminology and understanding of Catholic spirituality come from him and are influenced by him. The practice of annual spiritual retreat comes from him, as well as the daily examen, and most importantly - discernment of spirits, which is used by all spiritual directors today.

St Ignatius wrote a series of meditations and structured them into a 30 say retreat, these are known as his Spiritual Exercises. He teaches that as soldiers in the army of Christ, we are called to the battlefield of holiness and to give glory to God in loving him and in service to others. We can see God in all circumstances of our life and in all things, and as we cultivate this awareness we can use this to discern where God is calling or prompting us in our life. Our emotions are foundational in our spiritual life and can be integrated as we grow in holiness, however our feelings cannot always be trusted. The process of understanding our emotions, how they affect us, any motivations behind them that are good or bad, and how to evaluate what is from God and what is not of God - this is his Discernment of Spirits. The process involves a series of consolations and desolations that regularly need to be discerned, processed and lived out as we progress in the spiritual life and grow on holiness.

Through seeing God in all things and finding God in all things, as contemplatives in action, we can be instruments of change for God to work in the world for our holiness, salvation and the good of others. The more that we are united to God and in conformity with His Will, the more alive we feel and the more real God becomes for us. All of this brings glory to God and is our ultimate purpose on life. This is one of the most influential and fundamental insights of St Ignatius that he teaches us in the spiritual life. Our deepest desires teach us about God and lead is to him, and can only be fulfilled by God.

St Ignatius also particularly focused on an individual person centred spirituality, this became the Catholic counterpoint to Protestant individualism. As Catholics we all need to have a personal intimate relationship with Jesus - this is not a Protestant thing. But our personal relationship with Jesus must always express itself for the good of others and change society. As members of the Church, we are not isolated individuals- we are soldiers in the army of Christ, united together under his leadership. We have a common enemy and a common goal, to fight against evil and to win the world for Christ.

May St Ignatius inspire us and help us to always choose the greater good, to do all things for the glory of God.

1 comment:

MariaJuly 31, 2023 at 11:55 PM
There's so much in this post to digest. Thanks so much. It will keep me busy for a while.
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Disclaimer

Please note. I am a Catholic layman, not a qualified theologian or philosopher. What I say and write here are my own personal thoughts and ideas, although I always try to conform my writings to the Magisterium of the Church.

I- with firm faith believe and profess everything that is contained in the symbol of faith: namely,

I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven: By the power of the Holy Spirit, he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. I believe in the one holy catholic and apostolic church. I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

With firm faith I believe as well everything contained in God's word, written or handed down in tradition and proposed by the church--whether in solemn judgment or in the ordinary and universal Magisterium--as divinely revealed and called for faith.

I also firmly accept and hold each and every thing that is proposed by that same church definitively with regard to teaching concerning faith or morals.

What is more, I adhere with religious submission of will and intellect to the teachings which either the Roman pontiff or the college of bishops enunciate when they exercise the authentic Magisterium even if they proclaim those teachings in an act that is not definitive.