Ignatius of Loyola

Presentation:  December 6, 2008

Renata Furst, Ph.D.

Brief Description of Presentation

Ignatius of Loyola—soldier, sinner and saint—a complex personality, a crossroads for several spiritual traditions which came together to form a spirituality aimed at helping each person move towards “the greater glory of God.” This presentation is a brief survey of the spirituality of St. Ignatius, focusing especially on his insights for discernment in daily life. The presentation will cover:

Who Ignatius was, including the historical setting, his spiritual biography, and his life theme: Finding God in all Things: A Contemplative in Action.

Ignatius’ major spiritual insights

• Discernment begins with self-knowledge
• Spiritual Trends: Consolation vs. Desolation
• Meditation and Contemplation
• How do you see me today, Lord?
• We can find God in all things
• Is this an active vs. passive spirituality?

Discussion of the Spiritual Exercises, including outline and today's audience.

Prayer Exercise

Prayer period based on Ignatian Spirituality

Preparation for Session and Bibliography

To obtain the preparation article for the lecture, click on the link below.  Then, at the Jesuits web page, click on the download link for IgnatianSpirituality.pdf  to down load the article in adobe.pdf format. 

 
http://www.jesuit.org/Spirituality/SpiritualReadings/ReadingDownloads/295.aspx

Suggestions for additional reading:

Barry, William, A., Finding God in All Things: A Companion to the Spiritual Exercises,  Notre Dame, Indiana: Ave Maria, 1991.

Barry William, A. Letting God Come Close: An Approach to the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, Chicago: Loyola Press, 2001.

Barry, William, Paying Attention to God: Discernment in Prayer, Notre Dame, Indiana: Ave Maria, 1990.

Gallagher, Timothy M., The Examen Prayer: Ignatian Wisdom for Our Lives Today, New York: Crossroad, 2006.

Gallagher, Timothy M., Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide for Everyday Living, New York: Crossroad, 2005.

Gallagher, Timothy M., Spiritual Consolation: An Ignatian Guide for the Greater Discernment of Spirits, New York: Crossroad, 2006.

Green Thomas, Weeds Among the Wheat, Notre Dame, Indiana: Ave Maria Press, 1983.  This is a general introduction to the discernment of spirits.

Modras, Ronald, Ignatian Humanism: A Dynamic Spirituality for the 21^st Century, Chicago: Loyola Press, 2004.

Various authors in Ignatian Exercises: Contemporary Annotations, The Best of the Review, 4, St. Louis: Review for Religious, 1996.

About Renata Furst

Dr. Renata Furst is the Director of Studies at Assumption Seminary in San Antonio, Texas.  Her area of expertise is Old Testament Prophecy.  She also completed the 6-year training program for spiritual directors specializing in giving the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius at the Ignatian Spirituality Center of Montreal. 

Her academic degrees include:

B.A. Spanish Literature, Queen’s University, Montréal, Quebec

M.A. Spanish Literature, Queen’s University, Montréal, Quebec

M.A. Business Administration, International Finance, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec

Ph.D. Biblical Studies (ABD), Old Testament-Prophecy, Université de Montréal.