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The spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius : $b adapted to an eight days retreat and six triduums in preparation for the semi-annual renovation of the vows, all for the use of Jesuits onlyCoppens, Charles

Religion

The spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius : $b adapted to an eight days retreat and six triduums in preparation for the semi-annual renovation of the vows, all for the use of Jesuits only

Name: The spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius : $b adapted to an eight days retreat and six triduums in preparation for the semi-annual renovation of the vows, all for the use of Jesuits only
Author: Coppens, Charles

Coppens, Charles

Ignatius, of Loyola, Saint, 1491-1556. Exercitia spiritualia; Meditations; Spiritual exercises; Spiritual retreats

_POINT II. Why are these rules so productive of sanctity?_

1. Because they are not merely human work; for St. Ignatius, in writing
his Constitutions, obtained by fervent prayer the special assistance of
the Holy Ghost. This is evident from the history of the Saint. (For
instance, Genelli’s “Life of St. Ignatius,” p. 248).

2. Because they lead the way to the perfect imitation of Christ. By his
Spiritual Exercises St. Ignatius makes us conceive the most lofty
ambition that can be aroused within the human heart, namely to make
itself comformable to the heart of Jesus; and by his rules he guides us
through all the details of our earthly career to the realization of this
lofty purpose.

_POINT III. How do our rules accomplish this end?_ By animating all our
actions with the spirit of the three highest virtues: of Faith, Hope and
Charity.

1. They aid us to lead _a life of faith_. For whenever we observe a
rule, we thereby elicit an act of faith, accepting the letter of the
rule or the word of our superior as the expression of the Divine will.
Our life is thus made to consist of a succession of supernatural acts.

2. They make us live _a life of hope_. He that follows his own judgment
leans on a fragile reed; but he that acts because the rules prescribe a
certain course thereby trusts God more than his own reasoning and thus
hopes in the help of God. He shall not be disappointed.

3. They perfect in us _the love of God_. For they constantly prescribe
what tends to the greater glory of God: _Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam_.

Do I observe all my rules faithfully? Does any of them cause me a
special difficulty? Perhaps I do not understand it well; all of them, if
rightly understood, are most reasonable.

_Colloquy_ with our dear Lord, asking for great fidelity to observe all
our rules.


                              MEDITATION V
                             Zeal for Souls


_1st Prelude._ Hear Christ saying: “I am come to cast fire on the earth;
and what will I but that it be kindled?” (St. Luke xii, 49).

_2nd Prelude._ Ask earnestly that this fire be enkindled in your heart
and that you may help to spread it far and wide.

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Opening the text

Religion

The spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius : $b adapted to an eight days retreat and six triduums in preparation for the semi-annual renovation of the vows, all for the use of Jesuits only

Coppens, Charles

Ignatius, of Loyola, Saint, 1491-1556. Exercitia spiritualia; Meditations; Spiritual exercises; Spiritual retreats

_POINT II. Why are these rules so productive of sanctity?_

1. Because they are not merely human work; for St. Ignatius, in writing
his Constitutions, obtained by fervent prayer the special assistance of
the Holy Ghost. This is evident from the history of the Saint. (For
instance, Genelli’s “Life of St. Ignatius,” p. 248).

2. Because they lead the way to the perfect imitation of Christ. By his
Spiritual Exercises St. Ignatius makes us conceive the most lofty
ambition that can be aroused within the human heart, namely to make
itself comformable to the heart of Jesus; and by his rules he guides us
through all the details of our earthly career to the realization of this
lofty purpose.

_POINT III. How do our rules accomplish this end?_ By animating all our
actions with the spirit of the three highest virtues: of Faith, Hope and
Charity.

1. They aid us to lead _a life of faith_. For whenever we observe a
rule, we thereby elicit an act of faith, accepting the letter of the
rule or the word of our superior as the expression of the Divine will.
Our life is thus made to consist of a succession of supernatural acts.

2. They make us live _a life of hope_. He that follows his own judgment
leans on a fragile reed; but he that acts because the rules prescribe a
certain course thereby trusts God more than his own reasoning and thus
hopes in the help of God. He shall not be disappointed.

3. They perfect in us _the love of God_. For they constantly prescribe
what tends to the greater glory of God: _Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam_.

Do I observe all my rules faithfully? Does any of them cause me a
special difficulty? Perhaps I do not understand it well; all of them, if
rightly understood, are most reasonable.

_Colloquy_ with our dear Lord, asking for great fidelity to observe all
our rules.


                              MEDITATION V
                             Zeal for Souls


_1st Prelude._ Hear Christ saying: “I am come to cast fire on the earth;
and what will I but that it be kindled?” (St. Luke xii, 49).

_2nd Prelude._ Ask earnestly that this fire be enkindled in your heart
and that you may help to spread it far and wide.

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

The spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius : $b adapted to an eight days retreat and six triduums in preparation for the semi-annual renovation of the vows, all for the use of Jesuits only

The spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius : $b adapted to an eight days retreat and six triduums in preparation for the semi-annual renovation of the vows, all for the use of Jesuits only

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