Category Archives: spirituality

Three more days in the Ignatian Year, and a look at gratitude and its opposite. St Ignatius was hyper-critical of ingratitude, thinking it “the cause, beginning, and origin of all evils and sins.” I was not raised with good schooling … Continue reading →

A prayer from one of my favorite Jesuits, Pierre Favre, to help conclude the Ignatian Year: O Christ Jesus May your death be my life, Your labor my repose, Your human weakness my strength, Your confusion my glory.

Can you endure one more letter from Saint Ignatius as part of a conclusion to the Ignatian Year? I see often in right-leaning Catholic sites some consternation about modesty in dress. More men than women seem concerned about mostly all … Continue reading →

As a conclusion to the Year, I looked again to some of Saint Ignatius’ writings as offered in this resource. Particular points from his letter to Jesuits who attended the Council of Trent seemed relevant for today’s overheated culture of … Continue reading →

As a conclusion to the Ignatian Year, this morsel from one of the saint’s letters. We should not dispute stubbornly with anyone; rather we should patiently give our reasons with the purpose of declaring the truth lest our neighbor remain … Continue reading →

As a conclusion to the Ignatian Year, a daily look at aspects of the spirituality of Saint Ignatius Loyola and his tradition. Back in 1987, I remember having a long-distance conversation with someone at a Jesuit retreat house. I was … Continue reading →

As a conclusion to the Ignatian Year, I’ve been thinking about material to drop here (almost) daily. My first spiritual director (early 1980s) was steeped in the Ignatian tradition. I don’t think I recognized it at the time. My booklet, Orientations, … Continue reading →

In the conclusion to the Ignatian Year, Mary of Magdala might help us with an important insight (or sight) of Jesus. It is her feast today, after all. I enjoyed this essay from Loretta Pehanich. The summit of her reflection, … Continue reading →

As a conclusion to the Ignatian Year, I’ve been trying to keep up with a daily essay on something Ignatian. It’s been a busy few days and I fell behind yesterday. Two linked reflections to cover two dates this month. … Continue reading →

Whoops; looks like another slip-up in the conclusion to the Ignatian Year. How do you interpret that? I’m lazy? Slipping in my spiritual disciplines? Harbor a secret skepticism about Jesuits? Let’s look to one of my favorite citations in the … Continue reading →

In his guidebook Orientations, Fr John Veltri discusses the do’s and don’t’s of repetition in prayer. How does this work in one’s daily prayer? Repetition means that I return to those points where I have experienced “greater consolation, desolation or greater … Continue reading →

Empty nest this week. The young miss is visiting friends in Texas. I feel a bit at a loss. Maybe a bit old too. I don’t recall Saint Ignatius ever writing of an adult child leaving home. Perhaps he or … Continue reading →