Ignatian Heritage

The Spiritual Exercises

The Society of Jesus was founded by St. Ignatius Loyola in 1540. Ignatius was a Spanish soldier who, after suffering a broken leg in battle, experienced a profound conversion and devoted his life to the service of God. Aside from founding the Society of Jesus, Ignatius' greatest contribution to the Church was his writing of the Spiritual Exercises.

In "The Exercises," Ignatius presents a blueprint for a 30-day retreat (one that all Jesuits experience at least twice in their lifetimes). In the exercises, Ignatius also presents a blueprint for how to live and serve well. Ignatius set out to form the Jesuits as an active religious order as opposed to cloistered orders, which were far more common in the 16th century. Ignatian spirituality encourages both contemplation and action. This spirituality, which Ignatius himself articulated, unites and defines Jesuits across the globe. It also inspires and informs the various apostolates sponsored by the Society of Jesus.

There are many resources on the web for those interested in learning more about the Spiritual Exercises. The Jesuit Conference website has a more extensive biography of St. Ignatius (http://www.jesuit.org). An online version of the Exercises is available at (http://www.ccel.org) though the Exercises are best completed under the guidance of a spiritual director. The Catholic Encyclopedia also offers additional information on Ignatius's Spiritual Exercises (http://www.newadvent.org). The United States Assistancy also offers a PDF version of the Spiritual Exercises at (http://www.jesuit.org)

St. Ignatius with the Constitutions he authored

The Constitutions of the Society of Jesus

Ignatius also spent much of his life developing Constitutions for the Society of Jesus. In this document he specifies very clearly how the Society of Jesus should be governed. The Constitutions suggest that Ignatius was blessed with strategic aptitude that would make most modern-day MBAs green with envy. But the Constitutions also underscore an even more important point. The governance of the Society doesn't exist solely for the sake of governing, but as a means to care for the individuals who have entered the Society. This notion of "cura personalis" or personal care captures the essence of the Society of Jesus, its schools, and its various ministries. It is, perhaps, Ignatius' greatest achievement.