Introduction

[Leslie]

Our story begins in the late 1400's when a relatively unassuming, uneducated young Spaniard turned to God with heartfelt prayer and meditation to discern God's calling for his life following a devastating war injury. Although the future St. Ignatius circled around the proper people in society and served honorably in war until injured, it wasn't until his experience of a painful and lengthy war injury that he found God. This contemplation would, in time, become the Spritual Exercises used by prospective members of his religious order, the Jesuits. The Society of Jesus was founded during the tumultuous years of the Spanish Inquisition. Although St. Ignatius was highly respected for his meditations and leadership, it took several years to put these into writing.

As an aside, I read a terrific book a few years ago you might want to check out sometime.

Heroic Leadership: Best Practices from a 450-Year-Old Company That Changed the World

To reiterate your text, the Spiritual Exercises are not meant to be read cursorily, but to be pondered word for word and under the direction of a competent guide (I'll do my best!). We are warned repeatedly that while deceptively simple, the exercises are meant to invoke thought and prayer.

"The Spiritual Exercises are meant to examine one's conscience, of meditating, of contemplating, of praying vocally and mentally, and of performing other spiritual actions. For as strolling, walking and running are bodily exercises, so every way of preparing and disposing the soul to rid itself of all the disordered tendencies, and, after it is rid, to seek and find the Divine Will as to the management of one's life for the salvation of the soul, is called a Spiritual Exercise."

The Exercises are divided into 4 parts, and prayed in 3 different ways.

1. Consideration and contemplation of sins
2. The life of Christ our Lord up to Palm Sunday
3. The Passion of Christ our Lord
4. The Resurrection and Ascension

Although there are four divisions, and I will attempt to break each down into a week, it is cautioned that you should not lock yourself into a set division of 7 days for each experience. Rather, it is most important to work through each experience to fully obtain the objective. For example, for the first week your goal is the attainment of contrition, sorrow and tears for your sins. We each arrive at this moment in different time periods, so don't rush yourself. If you find yourself there before the 7 days are up, please move on to the next set of exercises. I alloted a full week at the beginning for discussion of the author's background and a full week at the end to wrap up with final thoughts.

I've never read the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, but am looking forward to our shared experience!

[Galicius]

Thank you for that fine introduction. I acknowledge I will be looking for any help I can find because I found this one hard one to crack, so to speak. I made two attempts with “Spiritual Exercises” and gave up about halfway through. I believe I am in a good group to make it through this time around.

[Susan Margaret]

Leslie, Thank you for leading this book discussion. You have already done a good job in deciphering the exercises!

[Irene]

I have always wanted to make a 30 day directed retreat based on the Spiritual Exercises, but have not had the opportunity. I am skeptical of my ability to really make thhe exercises without a director and preoccupied with the demands of life. But, I amm sure I will get something out of reading through them.

[Leslie]

I think we each wonder how much we will get out ofit, if we will accomplish this on our "our", etc. Have faith in yourself and know that when you set your intention correctly it will happen.

It's not a race. You won't be judged. :-)

[Susan Margaret]

I wish our book included a more detailed biography of St. Ignatius, but I suppose I could look for a book about him. It seems that it was Ignatius's competitive nature and big ego which drove him to become a religious and a saint. During his convalescence and after reading the Lives of the Saints he thinks to himself, "Suppose I were to rival this saint in fasting, that one in endurance, that other in pilgrimages." (pg. 20 kindle edition). He also appears to be a perfectionist, he had his leg reset several times for appearance sake, he suffered from scrupulosity, and he exercised and trained his mind as a soldier would train his body.

[Galicius]

Susan Margaret wrote: "I wish our book included a more detailed biography of St. Ignatius, but I suppose I could look for a book about him. It seems that it was Ignatius's competitive nature and big ego which drove him t..."

I read his: "A Pilgrim's Journey: The Autobiography of St. Ignatius of Loyola" (Joseph N. Tylenda, Translator) which was informative enough after which I tried to read what we are studying now.

[Susan Margaret]

Thanks Galicius. I will have to check out that book.

Has anyone read the 20 annotations yet?

[Leslie]

I found this autobiography for free on Kindle. When I get back to my hotel tonight I'm going to give you a little more background information on him.

You are right, the book selected by the group for the Group Read, had very little to say on him.

https://www.amazon.com/Autobiography-...

[Susan Margaret]

Thanks Leslie. And gosh you are busy, I did not realize you were out of town!

[Galicius]

Thank you for your comprehensive introduction Leslie, and your valuable comments and information Susan Margaret.

I also found reading other readers’ comments here in goodreads helpful. As an example, I was trying to figure out what “Preparatory Prayer” St. Ignatius is talking about perhaps a dozen times without elaborating on it. One of the readers (Melissa) writes:

“The Preparatory Prayer: This is my paraphrase --
First of all, when you pray, ask God to help all your motives, actions and goals to be directed only toward serving and praising God.”

I gathered as much--that we should compose the prayer ourselves. I don’t think that mortifying our flesh and scourging our body in the form prescribed by St. Ignatius will go very far in our culture, not because I think this is a 16th Century practice. I hear of flagellation is still practiced during Holy Week in Philippines, and perhaps in other places.

[Leslie]

I know I for certain will not be mortifying my flesh - LOL. Thanks for sharing Melissa's thoughts. I think it's just about praying for God's help in getting the most out of whatever you are about to undertake. Getting the most out of the experience. Getting what is needed at this particular time for your highest good or what you are most in need of learning.