PRAYING THE SPIRITUAL EXERCISES OF ST. IGNATIUS

Every praying of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius involves an intensely personal encounter between the individual and God. As such the Exercises encourage silent listening to “the still, small voice” of God within offering personal guidance and encouragement on the road to transformation in Christ. All this happens within a specific structure wherein God speaks again and again to the soul, meeting that soul at its individual stage of spiritual growth and providing what is personally needed at this time for ever greater spiritual maturity. It is clear, therefore, that every praying of the Spiritual Exercises is a unique experience that not only reveals something of the unfathomable mystery of God but also affords an important degree of self-knowledge as we grow in wisdom and love. This work leads the reader through the process.

About the Author: Shirley Sullivan, PhD, FRSC, is currently a Professor in the Department of Classical, Near Eastern, and Religious Studies at the University of British Columbia. She has also taught many courses on Christian spirituality at St. Mark’s Roman Catholic College on the University of BC Campus. With reference to Ignatian spirituality, she has studied the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius for over 30 years and has made the Exercises herself several times. She has likewise taught courses of them at St. Mark’s College. In addition to several articles on different aspects of Christian spirituality, Greek literature, and philosophy, she is the author of the following books: Transformed by Love: the Soul’s Journey to God in Teresa of Avila, Elizabeth of the Trinity and Mother Aloysius of the Blessed Sacrament (New City Press: Hyde Park, NY, 2002) and A Companion to the Liturgy of the Hours: Morning and Evening Prayer (Catholic Book Publishing Co.: Totowa, NJ, 2004). In recognition of her scholarship she has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.