Ignatian Spirituality

[ithinkjesusiscool]

Pax!
How does Ignatian spirituality differ from other Catholic spiritualities?

[cappie]

The Catholic Church has recognized, almost from the beginning, that living the faith is not a "one size fits all" proposition. The Church in Jerusalem had a different character and flavor from the Church in Rome or the Church in Ephesus or the Church in Thessalonica. As the faith matured, even more varied spiritual approaches began to emerge under the inspiration of saints such as Dominic and Francis, or Ignatius. To choose a spiritual way within the Church is to enhance the religious experience, not oppose it. It is a way to grow and mature in faith while still being an active participant in the corporate life of the Church.

 

In this case, The founder of the Society of Jesus, also called Jesuits, St. Ignatius Loyola, was a soldier who came to the point of conversion after having his leg broken. During his recuperation, he had only the Lives of the Saints and the Life of Christ to read. (He wanted the romances.) Ironically, his great legacy, the "Spiritual Exercises," is one of the most widely read books in the Western world. Practical and to the point, the exercises are a monthlong program of meditations, prayers and contemplative practices.

 

Ignatian spirituality is focused on finding God in all things, "It is centered on the idea that the experiences of God are not reserved for one Sunday during Sunday Mass, but God can be found at every moment of our life and every moment we can experience God. All things that are part of our lives help us experience God," he adds. The Jesuit Way is "contemplative in action, It's for the person who lives an active life, but maintains a contemplative life. If you are a young mother, Ignatian spirituality says that God can be found in your relationship with your children, your husband, your friends, preparing the sandwiches in the morning, in the office, in the struggles raising children, in the love you experience in raising your children in addition to the formal times you go to Church. It pays a great deal of attention to feelings, desires and emotions as ways God calls us. Ignatian spirituality is intent on reminding people that the temptation exists to box God into one hour on Sunday. The great gift of Ignatian spirituality is finding God in all things.

 

 

[ithinkjesusiscool]

That spirituality you described could also be lived by a benedictine oblate. Distinguishing between spiritualities is really difficult.

[Basilisa Marie]

That spirituality you described could also be lived by a benedictine oblate. Distinguishing between spiritualities is really difficult.

 

That's partly because there is a lot of overlap. :) 

[AugustineA]

I think Ignatian spirituality is becoming more and more pertinent in a fast paced world. I will definitely take some time to become more familiar with it. 

[cappie]

Jesuit spirituality is built on Ignatius Loyola's "Spiritual Exercises," which has been used as a training manual for spiritual warriors since the organization's founding. These exercises engage the entire person -- mind, imagination, heart, body and will -- in a quest for knowledge of God and imitation of Christ. Jesuits focus on spiritual formation. They seek to build people with a fulfilling and productive spiritual life.

 

Franciscans seek to love as Jesus loved. They cultivate humility and inner peace and joy. Their model is Christ. Their goal is to let go of anything that would get in the way of serving as Jesus served.