In the course of time, as was natural, considerable departures from the first process took place, some of which induced the danger of gradually losing the very spirit of the original Exercises. Among the learned men of our Society who labored most successfully to check such tendency, one of the most distinguished was the Father General John Roothaan, who in 1834 addressed a circular letter to all his subjects, earnestly warning them against this peril. At the same time he furnished them a masterly work on the original Spanish and Latin texts, which he accompanied with a most valuable commentary. For those preferring a Latin guide book, whether in making the Exercises themselves, or in explaining them to others, no work is more commendable than that masterpiece of Father Roothaan. Still, both before and since its publication, many other editions of the Exercises and commentaries on the same have been printed, both in Latin and in various modern languages, with full approbation and warm commendations of the Superiors of the Society; and excellent reasons appear to exist why successive generations of Jesuits should continue their efforts to enrich this valuable literature. In particular the eight days retreat, which all our members perform every year, gains additional interest and impressiveness when a wider range is presented, affording a choice among a large number of approved guide books to direct them through this fertile region of spirituality. The spirit permeating all of these must ever be the same, so too the main outline of the truths proposed and the general plan of the Exercises. Yet experience shows that there remains a wide room for variety in comments, suggestions and practical applications. Therefore, when the time for each one’s annual retreat comes round, there is shown by many Fathers an earnest desire for some late publication on the subject, that will lend new zest to the familiar solid doctrine. To satisfy such reasonable wishes is the chief reason why the present pages are modestly presented to his brethren by THE AUTHOR. TABLE OF CONTENTS THE RETREAT Preface iii Preparatory Consideration 1 FIRST DAY First Meditation—End of Man 8 Second Meditation—End of Creatures 12 Consideration—End of the Religious Life 14 Third Meditation—Indifference to Creatures 20 SECOND DAY First Meditation—Sin 26 Second Meditation—One’s Own Sins 30 Consideration—Confession of the Retreat 33 Third Meditation—Eternal Loss 37 THIRD DAY First Meditation—Preparation for Death 42 Second Meditation—The Particular Judgment 44 Consideration—Purity of Conscience 48 Third Meditation—To Excite Perfect Contrition 53 FOURTH DAY First Meditation—The Kingdom of Christ 57 Second Meditation—The Incarnation 60 Consideration—The Imitation of Christ 64 Third Meditation—The Birth of Christ 70 FIFTH DAY First Meditation—The Flight Into Egypt 74 Second Meditation—The Private Life of Christ 77