Ignatian Spirituality takes its name from its founder, St Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556). Ignatius was a nobleman from the Basque region in the north of Spain. As a soldier, he was injured and went through a long and painful period of convalescence, during which he experienced a major conversion. This was followed by a time of ‘spiritual pilgrimage’ which many years later led to the founding of the Society of Jesus – the Jesuits.
Ignatius developed an approach to personal spiritual growth based on his own insight and experience that God treats each person individually and develops a relationship with each person directly. Ignatius wrote down his spiritual practices, which eventually became what is known as The Spiritual Exercises. Today, The Spiritual Excercises is still used by those who follow Ignatian Spirituality. First and foremost, Ignatian Spirituality helps to build a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, while fostering inner freedom and providing tools for making good life decisions.
Prayer of St Ignatius
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding,
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything
is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me.