Product Description

Even after five centuries, Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises continue to lead men and women to commit their lives to Jesus. Wherever we are in our walk with the Lord, he challenges us to do all things for the glory of God.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #678717 in Books
• Published on: 2004-09-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

About the Author
Jacqueline Syrup Bergan and Marie Schwan, CSJ, are authors of the best-selling Take and Receive series, which is based on the Spiritual Exerecises of St. Ignatius. They have served for many years as retreat leaders and spiritual directors.

Customer Reviews

Thoughtful, meditative reading
This book, which belong in the series "Companions for the Journey," is structured around the life and thought of Ignatius Loyola. Loyola, who began the Society of Jesus, also developed a way of praying called the Spiritual Exercises. This volume utilizes the Ignatian style. There are words from Ignatius as well as short vignettes from his life. The authors offer questions for the reader's reflection. While a compact work, it by no means is a fast read. The whole series helps people join with a spiritual master.

The book has fifteen "chapters." Each of these chapters takes one a theme developed by Ignatius. One that was particularly evoking for me was the last one on the Trinity. This is a very difficult concept for Christians to comprehend. Ignatius apparently had a vision in which he saw how the Trinity related to his life. The authors' questions were very enlightening. Quoting Gerard Manlet Hopkins, the Jesuit poet of the 19th century, they write of the Trinity as the Utterer, the Uttered, and the Uttering. They go on to develop this in the Lover, the Loved and the Loving.

These kind of questions help the reader delve into the spirituality of Ignatius not simply to know what the Spiritual Exericses are about, but also to challenges oneself in interesting and meaningful ways in deepening one's relationship with God.

Deepening your relationships
My men's prayer group used this as a guide for weekly prayer and reflection. It brought us closer to each other and deepened our spirituality. It made Ignatius a real person, present today, rather than simply a historical figure. His wisdom and commitment to God came through clearly and helped our group to grow in faith. I think the series "praying with_____" format is excellent.