The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius

The Spiritual Exercises, the underpinning of all Ignatian spirituality, is a series of practical instructions on methods of prayer and reflection upon one's experience. They are based on the experience that Ignatius of Loyola had long before he became a priest and founder of the Jesuits. The Exercises are, essentially, "lay spirituality" for persons who are actively involved in the world. They are a means to making decisions in a state of true interior freedom. They include ways of meditating and contemplating, with much use of Scripture. Thought, memory, imagination and reflection are preferred tools directed towards finding the will of God.

At Loyola Marymount, we have The Spiritual Exercises for Busy Persons.

Some excellent on-line essays about prayer  have been written by Fr. Jean Veltirie, SJ.

The following is an excellent resource about making The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius while continuing to live a normal active life. Though it is designed for those making The Exercises on-line, most of the information applies directly to what we do here at LMU. Notice that there are descriptions of a 34-week Retreat for Everyday Life, a Press Release, Helps for a Group, and Feedback from those who have made this kind of retreat. The Website  is hosted at Creighton University.

The Center for Ignatian Spirituality has books and other resource materials for those who have already had the experience of The Spiritual Exercises, and who are looking for something to support their present spiritual aspirations.

One Ignatian exercise available for anyone, and highly recommended for daily use, is called a "Busy Person's Awareness Exercise."

The image above is entitled "Confirmed in Mission at La Storta," by the artist Doris Nikolova Bittau. Chapel of St. Ignatius, Seattle.


Updated 3/21/07