Ignatius of Loyola: Spiritual Exercises and Selected Works (Classics of Western Spirituality) (Paperback)

by Jesuits Parmananda Divarkar (Editor), Edward J. Malatesta (Author) "St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) had a dynamic spirituality which was ordered toward both personal spiritual growth and energetic apostolic endeavor..." (more)
Key Phrases: interior loquela, outstanding illumination, affectionate awe, Divine Majesty, Society of Jesus, Holy Spirit (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
September 27, 1990 marks the 450th anniversary of the foundation of the Society of Jesus in 1540, and the year 1991 brings the 500th anniversary of the birth of its founder, St. Ignatius of Loyola. In these circumstances the present volume will contribute to the study of Ignatius' charism and of the ministries he initiated-in Christian education, foreign missions, and other fields. It presents his four major writings: the Autobiography and Spiritual Exercises in their entirety, and his Spiritual Diary and Constitutions of the Society of Jesus in selections so chosen as to give an overview of each work. It also offers ten samples of his almost 7,000 letters. Ample explanations are given in the introductions and commentaries by way of notes.

The General Introduction is an intellectual and spiritual biography that sketches the fascinating steps by which, largely through mystical favors from God, Ignatius reached his inspiring worldview, with everything in it ordered to the greater glory of God. In his Exercises we find a synthesis of his chief spiritual principles, and in his Constitutions an example of his organizational ability. The Autobiography tells of his mystical illuminations and gifts, and the Spiritual Diary lets us peer deeply into his heart in his most intimate dealings with God. His writing reveals many facets of the warm personality of this influential saint.

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Latin --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 528 pages
• Publisher: Paulist Press (May 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809132168
• ISBN-13: 978-0809132164
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #121,734 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent compliation, October 10, 1997

By	[e-mail] (Oberlin, Ohio) - See all my reviews

"The Classics of Western Spirituality" from Paulist Press has been dedicated, over the last twenty years, to producing excellent translations, and this is no exception. The compliation includes a detailed Introduction, the Autobiography, the Spiritual Excerices, and fragments of the Constitutions and the Spiritual Diary. Though it would have benefited from the inclusion of the Formula - an essential document in its own right - this volume provides intelligent translations and crtical explorations into the sometimes-confusing meaning of Ignatius' prose. The selections from the Diary are especially recommended, as they comprise - to my knowledge - the only fragments translated into English, and are thoughtfully printed so as to give the reader a feel for the outlay of the work, scribbled in Ignatius' journal. Highly recommended.

5 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars St. Ignatius of Loyola, September 18, 2004

By	smartnurse123 (Slidell, LA United States) - See all my reviews

An enlightening book about St. Ignatius of Loyola... It has an informative introduction and autobiography about his life. The second half of the book is a listing and description of his spiritual exercises.

I have heard so much about St. Ignatius from my spiritual director so I was curious about him, his life and spiritual exercises. This book gives a good summary.

It is written in an academic and fairly difficult fashion. It is not easy reading, although it is inspirational.