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1. Spiritual Exercises
2. Nineteenth Annotation 3. Required Discipline 4. Covenant Considerations |
Spiritual Exercises
originated with St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, in the 16th century as a result of his conversion and discernment experience. While still a layman, he crafted the spiritual exercises and mentored others through them. Ignatius' spiritual exercises and discernment of spirits strengthens the retreatant's spiritual muscles via personal pilgrimage through the Father's Creation, humanity's Fall, Jesus Christ's Incarnation through the Pascal Mystery and Pentecost. Ignatius explains that the spiritual exercises are meant to bring "spiritual mastery over one's self and to live a well ordered life...(for) each living person is created to praise, revere, and serve God our Lord and in doing that, save himself" (SE 21, 23). The spiritual exercises may be right for those who wish to: discern approaching life decisions, find refreshment on the journey, deepen intimacy and prayer, and receive sacred healing, all through personalized immersion in the Lord "for it is not knowing a lot, but grasping things intimately and savoring them that fills and satisfies the soul" (SE 2). |
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Do not weep. The lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David,
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Nineteenth Annotation
refers to the nineteenth "note" given by Ignatius to directors of the spiritual exercises. Knowing that laity and religious alike had great potential for holiness, Ignatius adapted the thirty day exercises for daily life with the nineteenth annotation. This means a director takes the retreatant though the same exercises over an extended period of time, roughly eight to twelve months. Spiritual exercises consist of “weeks,” which are not seven days but "movements" occurring within the soul of the retreatant as he or she journeys with the Lord in prayer during everyday life. The following chart shows the progression of the spiritual exercises in relation to reception of the governing graces of each "week" for each retreatant. Ignatius outlined specific Scriptures and meditations to sharpen choice for Christ. At the same time, no spiritual exercises is like another in that each retreatant prays, lives and is directed uniquely.
refers to the nineteenth "note" given by Ignatius to directors of the spiritual exercises. Knowing that laity and religious alike had great potential for holiness, Ignatius adapted the thirty day exercises for daily life with the nineteenth annotation. This means a director takes the retreatant though the same exercises over an extended period of time, roughly eight to twelve months. Spiritual exercises consist of “weeks,” which are not seven days but "movements" occurring within the soul of the retreatant as he or she journeys with the Lord in prayer during everyday life. The following chart shows the progression of the spiritual exercises in relation to reception of the governing graces of each "week" for each retreatant. Ignatius outlined specific Scriptures and meditations to sharpen choice for Christ. At the same time, no spiritual exercises is like another in that each retreatant prays, lives and is directed uniquely.
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In the case of those....who seek to rise in the service of God our Lord ...it is characteristic of the evil spirit to harass with anxiety...it is the case of the good spirit, however, to give courage and strength
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Required Discipline
for the nineteenth annotation are:
- Roughly 8 -12 month commitment: the director introduces the weekly themes above in relation to the governing graces given by the Lord.
- Daily meditative / contemplative prayer for 60 minutes along with 15-30 minutes for the evening Examen. Journaling is essential.
- Weekly spiritual direction with the director for 50 minutes. This is critical to the nineteenth experience and happens on Tuesdays, daytime hours.
- Prior to the nineteenth, the retreatant must have the foundation of regular meditative prayer and positive affective experience of God.
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Covenant Considerations
Compatibility between the director and retreatant is important as God pairs the director and directee. The initial meeting is a a mutual opportunity to discern "fit." Retreatants may be adult lay or religious, men or women. In-person or by zoom. Confidentiality is held strictly, with the exception of: a court order, when the directee’s safety or another's safety is in question, or in the event of child or elder abuse. Per best practice, I utilize pastoral supervision myself. Contributing with a stipend allows the director to continue in ministry and may be made on a sliding scale of $25-$65 per session (credit/debit only). Clerical, religious, consecrated discounts. Purchase of The Ignatian Adventure (or other text) is required. Courtesy includes punctuality, meeting weekly per Ignatius’ directions for the nineteenth annotation, preparing a repetition / review for the weekly meeting, and notifying the director in advance if there is need to reschedule.
Compatibility between the director and retreatant is important as God pairs the director and directee. The initial meeting is a a mutual opportunity to discern "fit." Retreatants may be adult lay or religious, men or women. In-person or by zoom. Confidentiality is held strictly, with the exception of: a court order, when the directee’s safety or another's safety is in question, or in the event of child or elder abuse. Per best practice, I utilize pastoral supervision myself. Contributing with a stipend allows the director to continue in ministry and may be made on a sliding scale of $25-$65 per session (credit/debit only). Clerical, religious, consecrated discounts. Purchase of The Ignatian Adventure (or other text) is required. Courtesy includes punctuality, meeting weekly per Ignatius’ directions for the nineteenth annotation, preparing a repetition / review for the weekly meeting, and notifying the director in advance if there is need to reschedule.
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