The Call to Discernment in Troubled Times: New Perspectives on the Transformative Wisdom of Ignatius of Loyola [Paperback]

Dean Brackley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2004

A new kind of spiritual classic and a powerful reintroduction to Christianity, this hopeful book by esteemed pastor and teacher Fr. Dean Brackley integrates a realistic analysis of today's social crisis with the deep personal spirituality of St. Ignatius Loyola.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

A manual for personal and social change, this book is as much written for seekers as for people further along on the spiritual path. For centuries Ignatius of Loyola has inspired a formation of heart and mind unique in the Western tradition. Jesuit Dean Brackley succeeds in giving this proven spiritual discipline of wise decision-making a new dimension for the twenty-first century.

About the Author

Dean Brackley, S.J. is a Jesuit priest and professor of theology and ethics at the Universidad Centroamericana (UCA) in El Salvador. He received his doctorate from the University of Chicago.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: The Crossroad Publishing Company (November 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824522680
• ISBN-13: 978-0824522681
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #297,156 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A NEW LOOK AT THE EXERCISES, DESTINED TO BECOME A CLASSIC, December 4, 2006

By 

Peter Fennessy (Bloomfield Hills, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Call to Discernment in Troubled Times: New Perspectives on the Transformative Wisdom of Ignatius of Loyola (Paperback)

A NEW LOOK AT THE EXERCISES, DESTINED TO BECOME A CLASSIC
The wisdom of St. Ignatius spoken of in the title is, of course, the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and this book is Dean Brackley's interpretation of them. Jesuits have been writing this kind of book for centuries. Many are pious, run-of-the-mill productions. A few are exceptional; and I believe this is one of them. The "Foreword for Skeptics" alone is worth the price of the book. Ellen Calmus, a friend of Brackley and the copyeditor of the book, was not what you would call a believer and took the job with no real interest in religion. But the text chipped away at her unbelief, and one Christmas eve, when having nothing in particular to celebrate she was working on the copy, the light dawned and her life changed. A year later she was baptized by the author. This will probably not be the average reaction to the book, but it is worth reading. The author is a man of intelligence, learning and insight steeped in Ignatian spirituality and he speaks from a depth far beyond mere words with a new and fresh voice in a way that might be heard by the post-modern seeker. As Professor of Theology and Ethics at the University of Central America since 1990 and a successor of the Jesuits martyred there the previous year, he might be expected to stress the social justice dimension of the Exercises. And he does, but in so gentle a fashion that he opens up possibilities without imposing guilt trips on the reader. Brackley is faithful to the teaching of Ignatius, but offers even those familiar with the Exercises new insights and perspectives. The book will be particularly useful for those giving or making or studying the Spiritual Exercises.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ignatius for challenging the New World Order, February 1, 2007

By 

Anthony Egan (Global South [mostly]) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Call to Discernment in Troubled Times: New Perspectives on the Transformative Wisdom of Ignatius of Loyola (Paperback)

Some months ago I met the author at a conference. Two months ago I read this book while on an Ignatian 30-day retreat. It was excellent spiritual reading and is exactly where I am at in my life now: trying to discern how I might be part of the struggle against the excesses of global injustice. Brackley takes the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius Loyola and helps us see how in the process of the Exercises we might move away from a me-directed spirituality [all too common in much spirituality] to a spirituality of solidarity and engagement. Its all very inspiring stuff...I am not normally one to enthuse over books of spirituality - all too often they vary from drippy piety mixed with no theology thru to sound ideas mixed with ponderous heavy-bottomed theology. Brackley is remarkable in that his theology is interesting, contemporary and combined in the right measure with his exposition of the Exercises and ideas for doing the Exercises. Excellent stuff! I wish the anti-globalization activists I know would read it - it would nourish their souls and inspire their activism!

17 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enlightening!, December 9, 2005

By 

K. M. J. "just me" (minnesota, usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Call to Discernment in Troubled Times: New Perspectives on the Transformative Wisdom of Ignatius of Loyola (Paperback)

This is the first time I have studied the wisdom of Ignatius, and I am enthralled! Dean Brackley does a fabluous job of relating these wise thoughts to today's world. He educates, challenges, and inspires his readers. I reccommend this book to everyone.