Spiritual Exercises: Difference between revisions

The '''''Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola''''' ([[Latin]] original: {{lang|-la|Exercitia spiritualia}}), composed 1522–1524, are a set of [[Christian meditation]]s, [[Christian contemplation#Acquired contemplationContemplatio|contemplations]], and [[prayer]]s written by [[Ignatius of Loyola]], a 16th-century [[Spain|Spanish]]Catholic [[PriesthoodChurch in theSpain|Spanish Catholic]] Church|priest]], [[theologian]], and founder of the [[Society of Jesus]] (Jesuits).

Divided into four thematic "weeks" of variable length, they are designed to be carried out over a period of 28 to 30 days.<ref>Counsell, Michael. ''2000 Years of Prayer'', 2004, {{ISBN|1-85311-623-8}} p. 203</ref> They were composed with the intention of helping participants in religious [[Retreat (spiritual)#Roman Catholicism|retreats]] to discern the will of God in their lives, leading to a personal commitment to follow [[Jesus]] whatever the cost.<ref name="spirex" />{{rp|98}} Their underlying theology has been found agreeable to other Christian denominations who make use of them<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://trinityic.org/ignatian-spirituality-the-spiritual-exercises/|title=Ignatian Spirituality & The Spiritual Exercises {{!}} Trinity Episcopal Church|website=trinityic.org|access-date=7 March 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308043539/http://trinityic.org/ignatian-spirituality-the-spiritual-exercises/|archive-date=8 March 2017}}</ref> and also for addressing problems facing society in the 21st century.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/08/chris-lowney-book-ignatius-loyola-spiritual-exercises/|title=Lessons in the Life of Prayer from Ignatius Loyola {{!}} National Review|date=2018-08-11|work=National Review|access-date=2018-08-11|language=en-US}}</ref>

A review of the publication history of the ''Spiritual Exercises'' may be found on the website of [[Loyola Press]].<ref>{{cite web |author=St. Ignatius Loyola |title=The Spiritual Exercises |url=http://spex.ignatianspirituality.com |work=Ignatian Spirituality |access-date=5 February 2017}} References are to paragraphs numbers.</ref> The first printed edition of the ''Spiritual Exercises'' was published in [[Latin]] in 1548, after being given papal approval by [[Pope Paul III]].<ref>In the brief ''Pastoralis officii'' of 31 July 1548.</ref> However, Ignatius's manuscripts were in Spanish, so this first edition was in fact a translation, although it was made during Ignatius's lifetime and with his approval. Many subsequent editions in Latin and in various other languages were printed early on with widely differing texts.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Sabau|first=Antoaneta|title=Rewriting Through Translation: Some Textual Issues in the Vulgáta of the Ejercicios Espirituales by Ignatius Of Loyola|url=https://ams.ceu.edu/2010/Sabau.pdf|journal=Annual of Medieval Studies|volume=16|pages=155-165155–165}}</ref>

An [[English language|English]] translation by Louis J. Puhl, S.J., published in 1951, has been widely used by Jesuits, spiritual directors, retreat leaders, and others in the English-speaking world. Puhl translated directly from studies based on the original manuscripts.<ref name="spirex">{{Cite web|url=http://spex.ignatianspirituality.com/SpiritualExercises/Puhl |title=Louis J. Puhl, S.J. Translation - The Spiritual Exercises |websiteurl=Ignatian Spiritualityhttps://spex.ignatianspirituality.com/PuhlTranslation.html |access-date=722 MarchJuly 20172022 |website=Ignatian Spirituality}}</ref>

After recovering from a leg wound incurred during the Siege of [[Pamplona]] in 1521, Ignatius made a retreat with the [[Order of Saint Benedict|Benedictine]] monks at their abbey high on [[Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey|Montserrat]] in [[Catalonia]], northern [[Spain]], where he hung up his sword before the statue of the [[Virgin of Montserrat]]. The monks introduced him to the spiritual exercises of Garcia[[Garcias de Cisneros]], which were based in large part on the teachings of the [[Brothers of the Common Life]], the promoters of the "[[devotio moderna]]". From Montserrat, he left for [[Barcelona]] but took a detour through the town of [[Manresa]], where he eventually remained for several months, continuing his convalescence at a local hospital. During this time he discovered ''[[The Imitation of Christ]]'' of [[Thomas à Kempis]], the crown jewel of the "devotio moderna",<ref name=Pinard>[http://www.ewtn.com/library/SPIRIT/IGNASPIR.TXT De La Boullaye, Pinard. ''Ignatian Spirituality''].</ref> which, unlikehowever thegave focuslittle ongrounding laborfor an [[Apostles in the New Testament|apostolic]] spirituality,<ref>Balthasar, Hans Urs von. ''The Glory of the Lord V's'. vineyardCambridge U. Press, 2001, p. 103. {{ISBN|978-0898702477}}.</ref> an omission which Ignatius willlater givetried to supply in his ''Constitutions'', with its focus on labor in the Lord's vineyard.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tertianship.eu/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Const_1-5_presentation_Jan.pdf|title=Vineyard in Ignatius' ''Constitutions''|access-date=8 March 2017}}</ref> gave little grounding for an [[Apostles|apostolic]] spirituality.<ref>Balthasar, Hans Urs von. ''The Glory of the Lord V''. Cambridge U. Press, 2001, p. 103. {{ISBN|978-0898702477}}.</ref> He also spent much of his time praying in a [[Cave of Saint Ignatius|cave nearby]], where he practiced rigorous asceticism. During this time Ignatius experienced a series of visions, and formulated the fundamentals of his ''Spiritual Exercises''. He would later refine and complete the ''Exercises'' when he was a student in Paris.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=56|title=St. Ignatius Loyola - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online|last=Online|first=Catholic|website=Catholic Online|access-date=3 March 2017}}</ref>

The ''Spiritual Exercises'' of Saint Ignatius form the cornerstone of [[Jesuit spirituality|Ignatian Spirituality]]: a way of understanding and living one's relationship with God in the world as practiced by members of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). Although he originally designed them to take place in the setting of a secluded [[Retreat (spiritual)|retreat]], during which those undergoing the exercises would be focused on nothing other than the ''Exercises'', Ignatius also provided a model in his introductory notes for completing the ''Exercises'' over a longer period without the need of seclusion.<ref name="spirex"/>{{rp|19}} The ''Exercises'' were designed to be carried out while under the guidance of a [[spiritual director]], but they were never meant only for monks or priests: Ignatius gave the ''Exercises'' for 15 years before he was ordained, and years before the Society of Jesus was founded. He saw them as an instrument for bringing about a conversion or change of heart, especially in the Reformation times in which he lived. After the Society of Jesus was formed, the ''Exercises'' became the central component of its training program. They usually take place during the first year of a two-year [[novitiate]] and during a final year of spiritual studies after ordination to the priesthood. The ''Exercises'' have also impacted the founders of other religious orders, even becoming central to their work.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.omvusa.org/mission/founder/|title=History {{!}} Oblates of the Virgin Mary|website=www.omvusa.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-03-07}}</ref>

Ignatius identified the various motives that lead a person to choose one course of action over another as "spirits".<ref name="Tetlow">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/making-good-decisions/discernment-of-spirits/discernment-in-a-nutshell|title=Discernment in a Nutshell|last=user1|website=Ignatian Spirituality|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-21}}</ref> A major aim of the ''Exercises'' is the development of [[Discernment of Spiritsspirits#Ignatian view (Roman Catholic)|discernment]] (''discretio''), the ability to discern between [[good and evil]] spirits. A good "spirit" can bring love, joy, peace, but also desolation, to bringreveal onethe toevil re-examinein one's present life. An evil spirit usually brings confusion and doubt, but may also prompt contentmentcomplacency to discourage change. The human [[soul]] is continually drawn in two directions: towards goodness but at the same time towards sinfulness.<ref name="spirex"/>{{rp|313ff}}

According to the theologian [[Hans Urs von Balthasar]], "choice" is the center of the ''Exercises'', and they are directed to choosing God's choicewill, i.e.,a ultimately to adeepening self-abandonment to God. The ''Exercises'' "have as their purpose the conquest of self and the regulation of one’s life in such a way that no decision is made under the influence of any inordinate attachment."<ref name=Schindler/>

"Discernment" is very important to Ignatian thought. Through the process of discernment, the believer is led toward a direct connection between one's thought and action and the grace of God. As such, discernment can be considered a movement toward [[mysticism|mystical]] union with God, and it emphasizes the mystical experience of the believer. This aspect of the ''Spiritual Exercises'' reflects the trend toward [[Christian mysticism#Spanish mysticism|mysticism]] in [[Catholic]] thought which flourished during the time of the [[counterCounter-reformationReformation]] (e.g., with [[Teresa of Ávila]], [[Francis de Sales]], and [[Pierre de Bérulle]]). However, while discernment can be understood as a mystical path, it canis also more prosaically be understood as a method of subjective [[ethical]] thought. The ''Exercises'', emphasizeemphasizing the role of one's own mental faculties in deciding what is right and wrong.<ref name="spirex"/>{{rp|313}}

The original, complete form of the ''Exercises'' is a retreat of about 30 days in silence and solitude.<ref name="Spiritual">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-spiritual-exercises|title=The Spiritual Exercises|last=lpignatian|website=Ignatian Spirituality|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-21}}</ref> The ''Exercises'' are divided into four "weeks" of varying length with four major themes: sin and God's mercy, episodes in the life of Jesus, the passion of Jesus, and the resurrection of Jesus together with a contemplation on God's love. This last is often seen as the goal of Ignatian spirituality, to find God in all things.<ref name="spirex"/>{{rp|235}} The "weeks" represent stages in a process of wholehearted commitment to the service of God.

*Fourth Week: The resurrection of Jesus, and God's love

Morning, afternoon, and evening will be times of the examinations. The morning is to guard against a particular sin or fault, the afternoon is a fuller examination of the same sin or defect. There will be a visual record with a tally of the frequency of sins or defects during each day. In it, the letter 'g' will indicate days, with 'G' for Sunday. Three kinds of thoughts: "my own" and two from outside, one from the "good spirit" and the other from the "bad spirit".

Ignatius' book is not meant to be used by the retreatant but by a director or spiritual guide. Each day the exercitant uses the material proposed by the director for four or five hour-long periods, each followed by a review of how the period went. The exercitant reports back to the spiritual director who helps interpret the exercitant's experiences and proposes material for the next day. Ignatius observes that God "deals directly" with the well-disposed person and the director should not give advice to the retreatant that might interfere with God's workings.<ref name="spirex" />{{rp|15}}

After the first week Ignatius recommends a form of [[Christian contemplation#Acquired contemplationContemplatio|contemplation]] which he calls "application of the senses."<ref name=spirex/>{{rp|121-126121–126}} For this you “place yourself in a scene from the Gospels. Ask yourself, "What do I see? What do I hear? What do I feel, taste and smell?”<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.americamagazine.org/content/all-things/easing-contemplation|title=Father James Martin: An introduction to Ignatian contemplation|date=21 September 2016|work=America Magazine|access-date=6 March 2017}}</ref> The purpose of these ''Exercises'' is that we might gain the empathy to "follow and imitate more closely our Lord."<ref name=spirex/>{{rp|109}} From this comes the widespread use of the ''[[Magismagis]]'' concept in Ignatian circles, pursuing spiritual growth and progress rather than sudden transformation.

The ''Spiritual Exercises'' of Ignatius of Loyola are considered a classic work of spiritual literature.<ref name=Schindler>[https://books.google.com/books?id=QTK8zhja1v4C&pg=PT64&lpg=PT64&dq=%22Ejercitatoria%22&sourcepg=bl&ots=81x4yv8jgT&sig=pOu0cQLBvqxpZeIKbi3gNTZneV4&hl=en&sa=X&ei=CQTdVP2rPOyxsASkgoGoCA&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=%22Ejercitatoria%22&f=falsePT64 Löser, Werner. ''Hans Urs Von Balthasar''. (David Schindler, ed.) Ignatius Press, 1991] {{ISBN|9780898703788}}</ref> Many Jesuits are ready to direct the general public in retreats based on the ''Exercises''.

*[httphttps://spex.ignatianspirituality.com/SpiritualExercises/PuhlPuhlTranslation.html#pre01 Puhl's translation]