The Spiritual Exercises were written by St. Ignatius of Loyola in the 16th century as a pathway of discipleship to follow the way of Jesus. He developed them before he founded the Jesuits, or the Society of Jesus. The 19th Annotation is the way to engage the Spiritual Exercises over 32 - 36 weeks through an hour a day in personal prayer, Scripture, meditation and journaling and a weekly meeting with a Spiritual director to reflect on Gods work in your life.

The Exercises are divided into four movements that are called “weeks” but not calendar weeks. The first “week” focuses on God’s love and mercy and the depth of our human sin. The second “week” focuses on the life, ministry and teachings of Jesus. The third “week” contemplates the passion, suffering and death of Jesus during Passion Week. The fourth “week” focuses on the resurrection of Christ and our call to live out Jesus’ mission in active and grateful love.

The Spiritual Exercises are a profound “pathway of discipleship” for those seeking to follow Jesus today. Ignatius developed creative ways to engage Scripture include imaginative reading, conversations with Biblical characters and encouraged deep meditation and contemplation as pathways of prayer. Many have engaged the exercises as a process of discernment related to important life decisions but others simply as a pathway to grow deeper in their relationship with Christ. To guide you through this I use the book by Father Kevin O’Brien SJ  The Ignatian Adventure: Experiencing the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius in Daily Life.

The one Ignatian prayer that has become a daily one in my life is called “Suscipe” which is Latin for “take” or “receive”. I find it answered in the unfolding of God’s response that the Exercises have helped me to hear.