Letting God Come Close: An Approach to the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises

by William A. Barry

An approach to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius As more and more people begin to reclaim their spiritual heritage, longoverlooked traditions resurface, offering seekers new ways to rekindle their spiritual selves. The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola is such a tradition, and its recovery in the church has sparked the interest of many believers—religious and laypeople alike.
In light of this resurgence, Fr. William A. Barry, a director of the Spiritual Exercises for more than thirty years, offers Letting God Come Close , a guide that shows spiritual directors how to effectively and creatively help individuals meet the living God through the Exercises. Using clear, down-to-earth examples from his own experience, Fr. Barry hopes to instill in the director the trust, confidence, and skills needed to help retreatants approach God. “Spiritual directors will find a gold mine here of help in understanding and giving the Exercises.”
—George Aschenbrenner, S.J., director, Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth “For over thirty years Barry has listened attentively for the ways God deals directly with God’s people through the Spiritual Exercises. God’s voice comes through and Barry helps directors pay attention.”
—George R. Murphy, S.J., adjunct lecturer in spirituality at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley

Genres: Spirituality, Theology

224 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2001

About the author

William (Bill) Barry, a distinguished spiritual director and author, was born in Worchester, MA. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1950, studied philosophy in Germany from 1953 until 1956, and was at Weston College for theology studies from 1959 until 1963. Ordained a priest in 1962, Barry went on to earn a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Michigan in 1968.

In 1969, he began teaching psychology at Weston School of Theology, Cambridge, MA, and in 1971 was named director for the Center for Religious Development. He served in both capacities until 1978, when he was put in charge of formation for the New England Jesuit Province. Barry was the Assistant Director of Novices for the Province (1985-88) when he was named Rector of Boston College.

From 1991 to 1997, he served as Provincial of the New England Jesuits. Following that, he was named co-director of the Jesuit Tertianship Program. Barry directs retreats at Campion Center in Weston, MA.

Despite such a busy and committed life, Barry found the time to write 15 books, including The Practice of Spiritual Direction, God and You, Finding God in All Things, Spiritual Direction and the Encounter with God, Who Do You Say I Am?, With an Everlasting Love, and A Friendship Like No Other.

Barry has the rare ability to present complex spiritual issues in clear, well-written prose. He is one of the most influential Ignatian commentators at work today.

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last year at this time I began a journey through the Spiritual Exercises. I didn’t know what I was getting into or I might have been too intimidated to start. This book, a guide for those who direct others in the Exercises helped me understand what was happening to me during that time. I don’t think I would have appreciated this book without having had that experience. A worthwhile read for those on a spiritual journey.

[Elizabeth Kerns · Rating 5 out of 5]

storygraph 4.5

i stumbled across this book while doing research for a paper last semester—and found the brief section i needed so useful and insightful that i wanted to read the entire thing! i’m really not the target audience for this book, doing as i’m not attempting to lead/aid others in the Ignatian exercises… and so found sections of the book repetitive or not particularly interesting. HOWEVER—i got so much out of this book that i nevertheless highly rate it. the insights that i garnered regarding the role of desire and imagination in prayer are honestly life-changing and formative. Lord willing, i’ll put what i’ve learned into practice.

[Adam Shaeffer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this would have been more helpful if I was actually in the midst of a 30-day Ignatian retreat...

[Patti Clement · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written to help Spiritual Directors understand how to effectively and creatively help individuals meet the living God through the Spiritual Exercises.

[Anne Roat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for directors.