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Montie_Claunch
Guest
I have heard of the Spiritual Exercises and much praise about them. But, What exactly are they?
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Orionthehunter
Guest
This might be helpful. newadvent.org/cathen/14224b.htm
I have participated in a silent retreat based on Ignation contemplative prayer. It is my practical understanding it is a series of “exercises” of prayer, piety, almsgiving, and learning that will assist one overcome their human weaknesses and become more holy.
I have participated in a silent retreat based on Ignation contemplative prayer. It is my practical understanding it is a series of “exercises” of prayer, piety, almsgiving, and learning that will assist one overcome their human weaknesses and become more holy.
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puzzleannie
Guest
The Spiritual Exercises are guided meditations on the Gospels typically made over a one month period, under the guidance of a spiritual director trained in the exercizes, usually a Jesuit. They are especially recommended for someone discerning a vocation, career change or other big life changing choice.
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mercygate
Guest
As always, puzzleannie gets it right. When done in the one-to-one directed format in the traditional time frame of one month, the retreatant spends about 5 hours a day in meditative prayer, moving in 4 “week” phases in order to:
- reform what has been deformed by sin
- conform to Christ what has been reformed
- confirm what has been conformed
- transform what has been confirmed …
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Orionthehunter
Guest
Mercy, I think there is some clarification to your post necessary.
These exercises should be pursued with guidance of a spiritual director because the process could expose the person to “revelations” and “interpretations” that are not of God but of Satan. Personally, during my silent retreat, I had a particular period which caused me great consternation. It was while discussing this issue with the Spiritual Director that I became aware that my “interpretation” was not of God. I am most grateful that I had the opportunity to correct this misinterpretation. This process gave me a new appreciation of the blessing of the Magisterium and Church and the dangers inherent in the Protestant reliance on private interpretation and revelation.
This being said, I know of people who utilize these exercises or portions thereof but not in a retreat setting. A retreat based on the exercises mostly focus on the prayer and Scriptures. However, there are portions of the exercises that are related to works and almsgiving as well as learning that are to be conducted outside of a retreat. For myself, since going on the retreat, I’ve been trying to utilize the exercises in my works and almsgiving. In the past, I took a formulaic approach toward my tithe (x% to my parish, y% to other Catholic charities, and z% to other charities). Now, I try to discern prayerfully a different distribution. Similarly, the exercises are helping me focus my corporal works of mercy and charity differently.
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Montie_Claunch
Guest
Does anyone know where the Exersices are being held?
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mercygate
Guest
Montie Claunch:
If you search on line you will find do-it-yourself versions of the Exercises. But as one who has made the Exercises under the direction of a Jesuit, I cannot imagine attempting the *Exercises *without expert guidance. Part of the experience is the relationship with the director. As I said in an earlier post, this can get so intense as to be downright dangerous. Really.
Although there are Ignatian-inspired retreats all around the U.S., they are often limited to the exercises of the first week. The Exercises, done in the full and classical way, are done one-on-one with a director, either for about a month in a retreat setting, spending around 5 hours a day in meditation, or over a period of several months if you can only devote a couple of hours a day to it.
If you search on line you will find do-it-yourself versions of the Exercises. But as one who has made the Exercises under the direction of a Jesuit, I cannot imagine attempting the *Exercises *without expert guidance. Part of the experience is the relationship with the director. As I said in an earlier post, this can get so intense as to be downright dangerous. Really.
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asquared
Guest
Ignatius warns us not to attempt the Exercises without a competent director. There are guides for someone who wishes to make an Ignatian retreat on their own. The best is by Father Hardon, who is about the most competent director one could find, so if you cannot find an orthodox Jesuit retreat center and do not have a spiritual director, I believe intermirifica.com is the site that provides Fr. Hardon’s books and tapes. However, the 30 day retreat is an extremely intense experience and should not be attempted by someone in ill health, in a depressive state, or someone spiritually immature. Before attempting the spritual exercises, the Christian should first be in a state where he has been thoroughly catechised and initiated, and has his spritual life in order, daily prayer, regular Mass attendance and reception of the sacraments etc. As another poster has noted, this retreat is especially valuable for someone discerning a vocation or major life decision.
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AndyF
Guest
This is very valuable information, and exactly what I was looking for.
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May I use this post or information in other forums?
AndyF
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Al_Masetti
Guest
Some years ago, one of the younger people at work didn’t look so good. I asked if everything was ok. They said they were fasting and felt pretty crappy. [This was a total fast.] *
I cautioned that in general fasts weren’t permitted unless conducted under a doctor’s supervision. For people with an active lifestyle, working, commuting, running errands, it is dangerous to go with no food and no water.
Supervision by a spiritual director or a medical doctor is necessary before one goes into an exercise that is specifically INTENDED to be undertaken with supervision.*
I cautioned that in general fasts weren’t permitted unless conducted under a doctor’s supervision. For people with an active lifestyle, working, commuting, running errands, it is dangerous to go with no food and no water.
Supervision by a spiritual director or a medical doctor is necessary before one goes into an exercise that is specifically INTENDED to be undertaken with supervision.*
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Ana
Guest
Al Masetti:
To do otherwise would seem to me to lack humility.
You would think so.
To do otherwise would seem to me to lack humility.
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Al_Masetti
Guest
Well, a lot of people think or believe that they’re doing something good. Their hearts are in the right place.You would think so.
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Ana
Guest
Al Masetti:
That’s why pride is so insidious. It is so easily masqueraded as religiousity. I am not arguing their sincerity or good intentions.
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cjmurray94
Guest
For those who aren’t ready for the full 30-day Spiritual Exercises (many of us), Miles Christi offers weekend retreats across the country (more sites are being added in 2006 and 2007).
Miles Christi originated in Argentina, but also had the full support of Fr. John A. Hardon, SJ before he entered eternity.
spiritualexercises.net
Miles Christi originated in Argentina, but also had the full support of Fr. John A. Hardon, SJ before he entered eternity.
spiritualexercises.net
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Toni
Guest
So does Regnum Christi. In many states and countries.
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AndyF
Guest
Montie Claunch:
*The exercises can be obtained under direction at Retreats sponsored by the Jesuit Order. One stays from 3 days to a month and is assigned a director. He then is guided through the exercises. Costs are to pay for unpkeep of the institution and domestic services.
One such U.S. retreat can be found at :
jesuit.org/sections/sub.asp?SECTION_ID=192&SUBSECTION_ID=244
*(*Temptation and Discernment, Fr. Segundo Galilia)
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Andy
They are spiritual exercises to assist one in his knowing his deeper self so that they may be made more aware of the mechanisms of temptation. They help one to examine and discern what is good, what is defective, and above all what are the obvious and subtle temptations in two central area of Christian life: prayer and ministry.
*The exercises can be obtained under direction at Retreats sponsored by the Jesuit Order. One stays from 3 days to a month and is assigned a director. He then is guided through the exercises. Costs are to pay for unpkeep of the institution and domestic services.
One such U.S. retreat can be found at :
jesuit.org/sections/sub.asp?SECTION_ID=192&SUBSECTION_ID=244
*(*Temptation and Discernment, Fr. Segundo Galilia)
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Andy
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