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Praying with Ignatius of Loyola (Companions for the Journey)

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This book, which belong in the series "Companions for the Journey," is structured around the life and thought of Ignatius Loyola. Loyola, who began the Society of Jesus, also developed a way of praying called the Spiritual Exercises. This volume utilizes the Ignatian style. There are words from Ignatius as well as short vignettes from his life. The authors offer questions for the reader's reflection. While a compact work, it by no means is a fast read. The whole series helps people join with a spiritual master.

The book has fifteen "chapters." Each of these chapters takes one a theme developed by Ignatius. One that was particularly evoking for me was the last one on the Trinity. This is a very difficult concept for Christians to comprehend. Ignatius apparently had a vision in which he saw how the Trinity related to his life. The authors' questions were very enlightening. Quoting Gerard Manlet Hopkins, the Jesuit poet of the 19th century, they write of the Trinity as the Utterer, the Uttered, and the Uttering. They go on to develop this in the Lover, the Loved and the Loving.

These kind of questions help the reader delve into the spirituality of Ignatius not simply to know what the Spiritual Exericses are about, but also to challenges oneself in interesting and meaningful ways in deepening one's relationship with God.

My men's prayer group used this as a guide for weekly prayer and reflection. It brought us closer to each other and deepened our spirituality. It made Ignatius a real person, present today, rather than simply a historical figure. His wisdom and commitment to God came through clearly and helped our group to grow in faith. I think the series "praying with_____" format is excellent.

This book consists of 15 meditations around the ideas of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Based on Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises book, the meditations provided offer personal and spiritual insight on your faith journey. Length of time spent on each meditation varied, some a few days, others more. Writing exercises and prayerful meditations combine to enrich the reader's understanding of how to faithfully live the Gospel message.