An 8 Day Ignatian Retreat for Priests, Religious, Deacons, and Lay Ministers

by Thomas P. Rausch

The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola have been a mainstay of Christian prayer life for almost five hundred years, but many priests, religious, and lay ministers simply don’t have the time to perform the full thirty day retreat with a spiritual director. For these busy people, Thomas Rausch’s An 8 Day Ignatian Retreat for Priests, Religious, Deacons, and Lay Ministers provides an excellent new way to benefit from the Exercises’ timeless method of spiritual formation. Using contemplations from the Spiritual Exercises and meditations on the life of Jesus, this book guides the reader on a prayerful, eight-day journey into the heart of an Ignatian retreat, with a particular focus on ministry. The deliberately short chapters are structured to lead the retreatant to a deeper awareness of God and self. This book is not a “lighter” version of the Exercises, but rather a dynamic way for hard-working priests, religious, and lay ministers to apply Ignatius’ insights to their own interior life and to experience rejuvenation and growth. An appendix offers additional scriptural texts. †

144 pages, Paperback

First published November 7, 2007

About the author

Father Thomas P. Rausch, S.J., Ph.D. (Religion, Duke University, 1976; S.T.M., Jesuit School of Theology, Berkeley, 1972; M.A. Gonzaga University, 1967; B.A., Gonzaga, 1966), is the Emeritus T. Marie Chilton Professor of Catholic Theology at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, and an ordained Roman Catholic priest of the Society of Jesus (Jesuit) order. He was rector of the Jesuit community at Loyola Marymount 1988–1994, and chair of the department of Theological Studies 1994–2000.

Reviews

[Chris Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Although it says it is designed for priests, religious and lay ministers, it speaks anyone who is active in discipleship. It causes one to think about spirituality and how it is essential to being a leader for Jesus Christ.

[Dan Stump · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unhelpful due to ridiculous exegesis and a poor understanding of Christology and Ecclesiology.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

ideas for an 8-day retreat. Not a book to be read but to be practised.