Some Ignatian Spirituality Practices and Resources

    Read and pray with Scriptures, as during The Exercises:

    A handy resource that comes in the mail: a 4 ¼ X 5” monthly booklet, Living with Christ, which has all the Scripture readings used for Mass, and some small bits of commentary.

    An alternative means for finding Scripture passages: Choose one of the four Gospels, and use one story at a time; or, use Psalms; or, use your handouts from The Exercises; or, find “special” Scripture references from your journal.

    Sacred Space is the best online aid for praying with Scripture.

    Use a book, such as Finding God in Each Moment: The Practice of Discernment in Everyday Life, by Carol Ann Smith, SHCJ, and Eugene F.Merz, SJ. This book is designed specifically for those who have made The Exercises, and wish "for help with discernment, how to attend to the Spirit as she is poured out in their relationships and daily lives" (Smith and Merz, p. 8). The Center for Ignatian Spirituality has some copies.

    Saint Ignatius’ strongest recommendation: take some time each day to reflect on what has taken place, in order to recognize where God was active. This is a practical means for continuing the “Contemplation for Love” in daily life. Review handout notes on the Examen of Conscience (p. 140) from The Exercises, or see: Awareness Reflection.

    Another means of reflecting is to keep a journal about spiritual experiences.

    Read. Keep a book or books handy for reading whatever meets your needs at the time: biographies of saints, books about prayer, or about spirituality. A small library is available at the Center for Ignatian Spirituality. Read periodicals, journal articles and essays about Ignatian spirituality and The Spiritual Exercises. See this page: Spirituality Online.

    Faith-sharing in a small group who meet once or twice a month, for no more than an hour, can be very supportive of nurturing the spirit. Patty Castaneda is a good contact. The Center has some written materials for groups. Fr. John Daly, SJ and Luisa Vakili are contacts for an ongoing CLC group (Christian Life Community.) The Center also has information about CLC.

    Make use of a spiritual director or faith-guide. Some people are greatly helped in continuing to grow in their relationship with God by occasionally talking with one other trusted person specifically about their experiences of spirituality. One resource for finding such a companion: The Spiritual Life Center.  Fr. Wayne Negrete, SJ, at Blessed Sacrament Church, is another contact: 323.462.6311.

 We are at the Center to assist in any way that we can!

Randy Roche, SJ                Frances Gussenhoven, RSHM.

Updated 4/23/08