St Ignatius of Loyola
The Spiritual Exercises
Meditations from the four weeks of the Exercises and the Ignatian rules, adapted for daily prayer. Take one meditation at a time; the Exercises are meant to be prayed, not read quickly.
Meditations
- FoundationPrinciple and FoundationThe ground of everything: why we were created, and how to use the things of this world.
- First WeekMeditation on SinsA meditation on the reality of evil and on the infinite mercy of God, who has waited for me.
- First WeekMeditation on HellAn application of the senses, to feel inwardly the pain of eternal separation from God.
- Second Week (introduction)The Call of the KingChrist’s invitation to work with him in redeeming the world, overcoming our own self-love.
- Second WeekThe IncarnationSee the three Divine Persons looking upon the whole round earth and deciding on our redemption.
- Second WeekThe NativityContemplate Jesus born in the greatest poverty, only to die later on the cross.
- Second WeekThe Two StandardsA key discernment: Satan’s strategy (riches, honour, pride) against Christ’s (poverty, humiliation, humility).
- Second WeekThree Classes of PeopleA discernment about attachments: three kinds of people facing a possession that keeps them from God.
- Second WeekThree Kinds of HumilityThree degrees of love for Christ and commitment to him.
- Third WeekThe Last SupperThe institution of the Eucharist, the washing of the feet, and love to the very end.
- Third WeekThe Agony in the GardenJesus’ sorrow unto death and his prayer to the Father in Gethsemane.
- Third WeekDeath on the CrossThe completion of the work of redemption. See how he dies out of love for me.
- Fourth WeekThe ResurrectionThe joy of Christ’s triumph over death. His appearance to his Mother.
- Fourth WeekThe Road to EmmausJesus walks with us, opens the Scriptures to us and sets our hearts on fire.
- Fourth WeekContemplation to Attain LoveThe close of the Exercises: finding and loving God in all things.
Rules and guides
- Discernment of SpiritsRules for noticing and understanding the movements of the soul (First Week)How to tell whether an impulse comes from God or from the evil spirit, and how to act on it.
- Rules for EatingFor ordering oneself in eating and drinkingTemperance not only as physical discipline, but as a way to keep the soul freer and more ready for God.
- Thinking with the ChurchRules for a true sense of the ChurchAttitudes for keeping unity, humility and sound faith within the community of believers.
- Amendment of LifeFor ordering one’s spending and householdFor those who already have a state of life (family, work) and want to live it more perfectly.
Adapted from the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola (1548).