Charisma

The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola are a collection of prayers, meditations, and contemplations designed to deepen faith and foster a personal relationship with God. They were written in the 16th century by Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). 

Here are some key aspects of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises:

1. Goal: The exercises help participants clarify their relationship with God, reconsider their life goals, and gain deeper spiritual insight. 
2. Structure: The Spiritual Exercises are divided into four main parts that address different themes and aspects of faith. These parts are:
   • Reflections on Creation and Numan Nature.
   • Contemplation of the Life and Teaching of Jesus.
   • The Passion and Death of Jesus
   • The Resurrection and New Life in Christ.
3. Meditation and Contemplation: The exercises include various forms of meditation, including using biblical texts to encourage participants to reflect on their own lives and choices.
4. Prayer companion: The retreats are conducted by an experienced prayer companion who helps participants reflect on their experiences and insights.
5. Practical Application: The retreats are not only theoretical but intended to have practical implications for participants' daily lives, leading them to a more conscious and committed life of faith.

Spiritual Exercises are a significant tool for many people seeking a deeper spiritual experience and are frequently used in retreats and spiritual communities.

The power of St. Ignatius' charisma in Spiritual Exercises is great. It spread all over the world. Pope Paul III confirmed the Spiritual Exercises in 1548 with these words: "We approve, praise, and favor with the present writing the aforesaid instructions and Exercises and all and everything contained in them, and We earnestly exhort all and each of the faithful of both sexes everywhere to employ instructions and Exercises so pious and to be instructed by them." (Pastoralis officii).

Spiritual Exercises are a gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church. The first to participate in them was St. Ignatius, whose baptismal name was Iñigo. Iñigo, as a layperson, directed these spiritual exercises for others before he graduated from theology and was ordained a priest when he took the name of Ignatius. The Program Iñigo also consists of lay people. The Program Iñigo's charisma is to help others to come to the life of grace and discern their vocation in God in the prayerful environment of Spiritual Exercises. Once we have discerned our vocation, we may help others on their inner journey to their vocation. Thus, our prayer and life become one through a more profound knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and our vocation in Him.