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
_POINT I. That fire is Divine Charity._ It is poured forth into the
hearts of men by the Holy Spirit who is given to us (Rom. v, 5). It
makes us lead a supernatural life, the life of children of God, and in
this sense a Divine life. As the vegetable life transforms the clod of
earth into the fairest flower and the most luscious fruit; as animal
life turns the food into the wonderful organism of the human body; so
the life of grace gives to our acts a heavenly value. By it sinners
become saints, true children of God. Christ shows intense earnestness in
spreading this fire, which is really His greatest work: the most Divine
of all Divine works is the salvation of souls. The Angels are
ministering spirits to aid in this task. All human efforts are
children’s play in comparison with this. To save a soul is a grander
achievement than to conquer an empire.
_POINT II. This sublime work is done chiefly through the agency of men._
Its great promoter was the God-man Himself, the Son of God incarnate.
But He has deigned to associate to Himself the Apostles and their
successors, the bishops and priests of His Church, till the end of time;
to whom He has said: “Going therefore teach ye all nations ... and
behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world”
(St. Matth. xxviii, 19, 20). With these the Lord has associated in a
special manner, through the mission of His Church, various apostolic
Orders of religious, our own Society in particular: “I have chosen you
and have appointed you that you should go and should bring forth fruit,
and that your fruit should remain” (St. John xv, 16).
When Christ first addressed these words to a few poor fishermen, how
unlikely it was that the promise should be fulfilled? Yet it has been
most wonderfully verified. So it will be in our case also if we trust in
God. Yet two thirds of mankind are still pagans. Zeal is needed.
_POINT III. What must we do to spread the love of God?_ We need not do
any novel thing; we must follow the beaten path, travel along the
highroad of our religious life. _Age quod agis_; perform your daily
duties; but do everything well, to the best of your power.
In particular realize in your conduct that,
1. _You are to be the light of the world._ For this purpose you must
form your intellect upon the teachings of Christ. Master His views of
time and eternity, by earnest meditations, sound readings, recollection,
much prayer. Do not contract false views of life by following false
guides, reading worldly authors extensively, imbibing their spirit. The
light that is in you, your intimate convictions, will necessarily shine
around you, through your language, through your conduct. If you are
thoroughly religious, real Jesuits, it will be the light of Christ, and
will truly enlighten the portion of the world where Providence will
place you. If your views are false, you will not do God’s work.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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