This sixteenth-century mystic, whose mission was to ignite a love of Jesus in the hearts of all, can be a companion for your own spiritual journey.

Ignatius of Loyola, sixteenth-century mystic, spiritual director, and founder of the Society of Jesus, is considered to be among the greatest educators in the history of western civilization. While the Jesuits went on to establish one of the largest educational networks in the world, Ignatius's initial vision was simply "the help of souls." Even today, his writings continue to inspire Christians in their quest for a meaningful holy life. The Spiritual Exercises alone-Ignatius's most well-known work-has guided the retreat experience of over a million Christians over nearly five centuries.

This fascinating introduction to Ignatian spirituality draws from contemporary translations of original texts focusing on the practical mysticism of Ignatius of Loyola. Excerpts from The Spiritual Exercises, his autobiography, and his collected letters and instructions provide direct insights from Ignatius about the role of humility, obedience, discernment, sin and selfawareness in spiritual life. Substantive facing-page commentary illuminates Ignatius's perspectives on many key aspects of Christian spirituality, including trusting in God, imitating Jesus and the saints, love and the common good, and much more.

Introduction: A Practical Mysticism ix

Part 1 Ignatius the Pilgrim 1
Soldier or Saint? 3
The Pilgrim Sets Out 7
Destination: Jerusalem 13
Suspicions and Arrests 17
At the University of Paris 23

Part 2 The Spiritual Exercises 27
Their Purpose and Goal 29
How Do the Exercises Work? 31
The First Week 33
The Second Week 37
The Annunciation 39
Contemplation on the Nativity 41
The Third Week 43
Imagining Jesus 45
The Fourth Week 47
Gratitude 49
Contemplation to Gain Love 51

Part 3 Ignatian Prayer 53
What Does Prayer Require? 55
How, and for How Long? 59
Separating Oneself from Daily Cares 61
Spontaneous Prayer 63
Using Imagination in Prayer 65
Application of the Senses 67
First Method: On the Ten Commandments 69
Second Method: Meditating on the "Our Father" 73
Third Method: Rhythm 77
A Method of Self-Examination 81
The Inevitability of Distraction 83

Part 4 Choices and Life Decisions 85
Choosing with and for Jesus 87
Choosing between Good and Evil 89
Choosing for Good 95
Methods for Making a Decision 101
Another Method of Discernment 105
Choosing What Is Best 107
Choosing God's Service 111
Times for Making a Decision 113
A Deep Bond with Jesus 117

Part 5 The Interior Life 121
Becoming Aware 123
Awareness of Sin, Resistance, and Faults 127
The Different Spirits at Work in Our Lives 129
Consolation and Desolation 131
Spiritual Desolation 133
Causes of Desolation 135
Self-Awareness 137
Interior Movements of the Soul 141
Repression of Desires 143
The Importance of Self-Care 145
Obstacles in the Spiritual Life 149
Agere Contra, "To Act Against" 151
True and False Scruples 155

Part 6 Living with and for Others 161
Self-Care and Moderation 163
Compassion 167
Guiding Others 169
Letting God Do the Work 171
"Go in Their Door" 173
Love's Authority 175
Mutual Love and the Common Good 179
Judging Others 181
Conflicting Demands 183
Obedience 187
Obedience in Community 189
Degrees of Obedience 193
Setting Priorities 195

Part 7 Imitating Jesus 199
The "Kingdom Prayer" 201
Of the Coming of Christ to the Temple
When He Was of the Age of Twelve Years 203
The Obedience of Christ 205
Of the Life of Christ Our Lord from Twelve to Thirty Years 207
Of How Christ Was Baptized 209
Desiring to Live Like Jesus 211
The Humility of Christ 213
Pride and False Humility 215
Imitating the Saints 217
Following the Call of the Apostles 219
Praying Like Jesus and the Saints 221
Poverty 223
The Blessings of Poverty 225
Begging Alms 227

Part 8 Union of Mind and Heart 229
Holy Ardor and Growth in Virtue 231
The Need for Balance 233
Preaching 237
Studies 241
Spiritual Temptations 243
Writing 245
The Value of Teaching 249

Suggestions for Further Reading 252