Read Ebook: The spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius by Coppens Charles Ignatius Of Loyola Saint

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Meditation I--On the Vows 153

Meditation II--On Renovation of the Vows 155

Meditation IV--Christ Is Here to Help Us 160

Meditation V--The Holy Ghost Sanctifies Us 163

TRIDUUM C.

Meditation I--The Need of Frequent Renovations of Spirit 169

Meditation II--Sin the Chief Hindrance to Our Progress 171

Meditation IV--The Observance of Our Rules 177

Meditation V--Zeal for Souls 179

Meditation VI--Devotion to the Blessed Virgin 181

TRIDUUM D.

Meditation I--The Purpose of this Triduum 185

Meditation II--The Interior Spirit 187

Meditation IV--The Interior Spirit Fostered by Hope 193

Meditation V--The Interior Spirit Fostered by Charity 195

Meditation VI--The Interior Spirit Fostered by the Holy Ghost 198

TRIDUUM E.

Meditation I--Preparation for the Triduum 201

Meditation II--The Field Ripe for the Harvest 203

Meditation IV--The Spirit of Sacrifice 208

Meditation V--Become Men of Prayer 211

Meditation VI--The Vine and the Branches 214

TRIDUUM F.

Meditation I--On the Vows 217

Meditation II--The Vow of Chastity 219

Meditation IV--Strength of Character 225

Meditation V--Co-operation with Grace 227

Meditation VI--The Perfection of Our Actions 230

THE SPIRITUAL EXERCISES OF ST. IGNATIUS

PREPARATORY CONSIDERATION

The yearly retreat is important for all religious, whatever be the spiritual condition of their souls.

When one runs down a hill, his descent is accelerated by his own weight, and he needs special help to avoid a serious fall. Such is the case of those who are losing their fervor, and a good retreat provides the remedy.

It is very consoling for those who enter on these Spiritual Exercises to remember that their efficacy for good is far greater than men are apt to imagine; they are not merely human, but in some respects Divine; hence their extraordinary power to sanctify us.

The object which this unique book has accomplished was to reduce the direction of soul to a science, that bases on certain principles of faith an exact and positive method, which, guided by the rules prescribed, insures almost infallible success. Considering the circumstances in which it was written we cannot but attribute this work to superhuman aid. Hence its wonderful efficiency, testified to by countless witnesses, and continued in the experience of three centuries till the present day.

Father Henry Watrigant, S. J., relates that this tradition has been confirmed at various times by well authenticated revelations. Thus he says: "The venerable Father Louis de Ponte narrates that, when in the year 1600 Ours entered on their annual retreat, his penitent, the venerable Marina de Escobar, also began her retreat; and the Archangel Gabriel appeared to her and said that the Blessed Virgin Mary had been as it were the foundress of those Exercises, having instructed St. Ignatius to put them in that form."

"God and I" should be the only objects of my thoughts; all else is a hindrance to perfect success.

If these means are diligently employed, we can indulge a quiet confidence of great results; for the Lord does not invite us to a rich banquet without providing for the full satisfaction of His guests.

THE FIRST DAY

Christ bids us act like "a wise man that built his house upon a rock,--and it fell not because it was founded on a rock" . The truth now considered is the rock on which the whole structure of our spirituality is to be built. Bartoli, in his life of St. Ignatius, narrates that a learned Doctor of the University of Paris, Martin Olave, used to say that one single hour spent in meditating on this foundation had taught him more than long years of theological studies. Such too has been the experience of many others. Father Everard Mercurian spoke of this foundation as alone sufficient to effect the most astonishing changes in a soul, by uprooting all its earthly affections and directing its desires to God alone.

THE FIRST MEDITATION On the End of Man

It is not that God needs any creature; for being all perfect He is self-sufficient; but right order requires that He make all His creatures tend to Him.

The good God has so wisely and bountifully ordained all things that by glorifying Him we glorify ourselves and reach the fulfilment of all our desires. But by refusing to glorify Him we degrade and utterly ruin ourselves.

Now we are made free to do the one or the other. This freedom is a wonderful gift, a glorious gift in one way, making us like to God and capable of securing our own bliss forever, with God's grace, of course: but on the other hand putting on us a terrible responsibility. No other power on earth can control a man's liberty. When St. Agnes, a mere child of 13 years, refused to do wrong, the whole power of the Roman Empire could not bend her will; on the other hand, the influence of the holiest education cannot make a child virtuous without its free co-operation.

Can a man then, by refusing to serve God, deprive the Creator of the glory that he was intended to render Him? Certainly not; but he can freely choose to glorify the goodness of God by faithful service, thus securing at the same time perfect happiness for himself, or choose to glorify God's justice by his eternal punishment.

THE SECOND MEDITATION On the End of Creatures

The task of the exercitant is three-fold:

Some things need only be considered to raise man's heart to God and prompt him to reverence the Divine Majesty. "The heavens show forth the glory of God, and the firmament declares the work of his hands," etc. .

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