Ignatian Retreat in Daily Life

Week of Prayer 16: Jesus' Public Ministry Begins

• Rules for Discernment of Spirits: Dealing with Spiritual Desolation, Ignatian Adventure, p 165, O'Brien
• "Four Faces of Jesus," by Virginia Smith
• "Listening," by Morton Kelsey
• "Developing a Relationship with God," William Barry, S.J.

Questions to consider as you review the reading.

1, What were the highlights of the material for me?

2. What touched me or gave me new or nuanced insights?

3. What challenged me in this material?

4. What connects or resonates with my experience of the Spiritual Exercises

5. What was relevant to my formation as a prayer companion or spiritual director?

6. What would you like to take to prayer?

Week of Prayer 15: The Call of Christ , Our King

 Kingdom - Orientations, Vol 2 Part A and Part B, Chapter 10, John Veltri, S.J.

• The Kingdom Exercise and the Use of Myth in Spiritual Direction,” Orientations II-B
• Moving into the Kingdom, Joseph Tetlow, S.J.
• About the Second Week, Joseph Tetlow, S.J.
• "The Kingdom of Christ" (19)
• "Spiritual Poverty"
• "Poverty of Spirit," Robert Morneau
• Poverty of Spirit, Ignatian Adventure, p159, O'Brien
• Level A Intern Prayer Guide Self Evaluation

Questions to consider as you review the reading.

 1, What were the highlights of the material for me?

 2. What touched me or gave me new or nuanced insights?

 3. What challenged me in this material?

 4. What connects or resonates with my experience of the Spiritual Exercises

 5. What was relevant to my formation as a prayer companion or spiritual director?

 6. What would you like to take to prayer?

Week of Prayer 14: The Hidden Life of Jesus

• Orientations, Volume 2, Part A, Chapter 12, John Veltri. S.J. (Naming of Jesus, Visit of Magi, Jesus in the Temple)
• Rules for Discernment of Spirits: How the Good Spirit and Evil Spirit Operate (O'Brien, p 145)
• Rules for Discernment of Spirits: Storing up the Graces of Consolation (O'Brien, p 151)
• Application of Senses - Joseph Tetlow, S.J., "Choosing Christ in the World"
• Application of Sense - Hugo Rahner, S.J., "Ignatius the Theologian"

Questions to consider as you review the reading.

1, What were the highlights of the material for me?

2. What touched me or gave me new or nuanced insights?

3. What challenged me in this material?

4. What connects or resonates with my experience of the Spiritual Exercises

5. What was relevant to my formation as a prayer companion or spiritual director?

6. What would you like to take to prayer?

Week of Prayer 13 - The Childhood of Jesus

•   Orientations, Volume 2, Part A, Chapter 12, John Veltri. S.J. (Naming of Jesus, Visit of Magi, Jesus in the Temple)

Questions to consider as you review the reading.

 1, What were the highlights of the material for me?

 2. What touched me or gave me new or nuanced insights?

 3. What challenged me in this material?

 4. What connects or resonates with my experience of the Spiritual Exercises

 5. What was relevant to my formation as a prayer companion or spiritual director?

 6. What would you like to take to prayer?

Week of Prayer 12 - The Birth of Jesus

•  Reflections on Christmas

Questions to consider as you review the reading.

1, What were the highlights of the material for me?

2. What touched me or gave me new or nuanced insights?

3. What challenged me in this material?

4. What connects or resonates with my experience of the Spiritual Exercises

5. What was relevant to my formation as a prayer companion or spiritual director?

6. What would you like to take to prayer?

Week of Prayer 11 - The Contemplation on the Incarnation

• Orientations, Volume 1, Part B, Chapter 11, John Veltri, S.J. - Incarnation - Conception, Birth & Childhood of Jesus
• Merton's Mystical Vision in Louisville

Questions to consider as you review the reading.

1, What were the highlights of the material for me?

2. What touched me or gave me new or nuanced insights?

3. What challenged me in this material?

4. What connects or resonates with my experience of the Spiritual Exercises

5. What was relevant to my formation as a prayer companion or spiritual director?

6. What would you like to take to prayer?

Week of Prayer 10 - God's Merciful Love for Me

• "Rules of Discernment for First Week" (notations 313-327), Draw Me Into Your Friendship, David Fleming, S.J.

• Rules for Discernment - First Set

• Some Simple Rules of Thumb for Discernment

• Graces of the First Week: ending the week

• Consolation/Desolation

Questions to consider as you review the reading.

1, What were the highlights of the material for me?

2. What touched me or gave me new or nuanced insights?

3. What challenged me in this material?

4. What connects or resonates with my experience of the Spiritual Exercises

5. What was relevant to my formation as a prayer companion or spiritual director?

6. What would you like to take to prayer?

Week of Prayer 9 - The Causes and Consequences of Sin

• "Who Told You You Were Naked?" - John Jacob Raub

• Inner Tapes

• Catch up on any past articles ;not yet discussed

• Possible Case Studies

• "Amy's Experience"

• "Robert's Experience"

• "Jean's Experience"Catch up on any past articles not yet discussed.

Questions to consider as you review the reading.

1, What were the highlights of the material for me?

2. What touched me or gave me new or nuanced insights?

3. What challenged me in this material?

4. What connects or resonates with my experience of the Spiritual Exercises

5. What was relevant to my formation as a prayer companion or spiritual director?

6. What would you like to take to prayer?

Week of Prayer 8 - My Own History of Sin and Grace

• Orientations, Volume 2, Part A, Chapter 8, John Veltri, S.J.

• 'Personal Sin," Chapter 6 in Spiritual Freedom by John English, S.J.

• "Reluctance to Admit Sin" - Robert Harvanck, S.J.

• "Shadow"

• Penitent's Blessing

Questions to consider as you review the reading.

1, What were the highlights of the material for me?

2. What touched me or gave me new or nuanced insights?

3. What challenged me in this material?

4. What connects or resonates with my experience of the Spiritual Exercises

5. What was relevant to my formation as a prayer companion or spiritual director?

6. What would you like to take to prayer?

Week of Prayer 7 - The Reality of Sin

Orientations, Volume 2, Part A, Chapter 7, John Veltri, S.J. (Overview of First Week)

"Readiness for Week 1"

"Sin: The Big Picture" - Vinita Hampton Wright

"Sin Breaks a Relationship, Not Just Rules" - Pat Schoelles

"Sin Reflects a State of Life, Not an Act" - Pat Schoelles

"Sin and Salvation," Chapter 5 in Spiritual Freedom by John English, S.J.

"The Triple Colloquy" (see page 95 in The Ignatian Adventure by Kevin O'Brien, S.J.

"The Triple Colloquy:Grace of Conversion," David Paternostro, S.J.

Adaptations for a Gentler First Week; Orientations, Volume 1, First Week Exercises, John Veltri, S.J.

Questions to consider as you review the reading.

1, What were the highlights of the material for me?

2. What touched me or gave me new or nuanced insights?

3. What challenged me in this material?

4. What connects or resonates with my experience of the Spiritual Exercises

5. What was relevant to my formation as a prayer companion or spiritual director?

6. What would you like to take to prayer?

Week of Prayer 6 - God's Call to Me

• Orientations, Volume 2, Part A, Chapter 6, John Veltri. S.J.

• "Inner Compass," Chapter 5, Margaret Silf

• "Inner Compass" Chapter 6, Margaret Silf

• "Consciousness Examen"

• "Daily Awareness Prayer"

• "The Examen - A Tool For Holistic Growth" - John Govin, S.J.

Questions to consider as you review the reading.

1, What were the highlights of the material for me?

2. What touched me or gave me new or nuanced insights?

3. What challenged me in this material?

4. What connects or resonates with my experience of the Spiritual Exercises

5. What was relevant to my formation as a prayer companion or spiritual director?

6. What would you like to take to prayer?

Week of Prayer 5 - The Principle and Foundation

Orientations, Volume 2, Part A, Chapter 5, John Veltri, S.J.

"The Principle and Foundation"

"The Principle and Foundation" paraphrased by David Fleming, S.J.

"The Principle and Foundation and Images of God" - Philip Sheldrake

"The Principle and Foundation," Chapts 2-4, Putting on the Heart of Christ, by Gerald M. Fagin, SJ

Write your own Principle and Foundation.

Share the Principle and Foundation you wrote.

How have you more deeply appropriated it?

Do you have a deeper understanding than when you first made the Spiritual Exercises?

Any confusion or questions?

Share on Images of God.

Respond to any one or two of the following questions. Post your reflections for the other interns to consider and comment on. Comments (that is, replies to a posting, are to be limited to "affirming," "clarifying," or "mirroring" statements. And, as usual, they are to be non-judgmental avoiding any form of debate.

Questions to consider as you review the reading.

1, What were the highlights of the material for me?

2. What touched me or gave me new or nuanced insights?

3. What challenged me in this material?

4. What connects or resonates with my experience of the Spiritual Exercises

5. What was relevant to my formation as a prayer companion or spiritual director?

6. What would you like to take to prayer?

Week of Prayer 4 - God's Invitation to Greater Freedom

Orientations, Volume 2, Part A, Chapter 4, John Veltri, S.J.

"St. Ignatius on Psychological and Spiritual Wholeness"

"Prayer That Works"

"Images of God Sources in Scripture"

"False Images of God and Self"

Repetition

Repetition, "The Ignatian Adventure," O'Brien, p61

Respond to any one or two of the following questions. Post your reflections for the other interns to consider and comment on. Comments (that is, replies to a posting, are to be limited to "affirming," "clarifying," or "mirroring" statements. And, as usual, they are to be non-judgmental avoiding any form of debate.

Questions to consider as you review the reading.

1, What were the highlights of the material for me?

2. What touched me or gave me new or nuanced insights?

3. What challenged me in this material?

4. What connects or resonates with my experience of the Spiritual Exercises

5. What was relevant to my formation as a prayer companion or spiritual director?

6. What would you like to take to prayer?

Week of Prayer 3 - The Intimacy of Prayer

 Orientations, Volume 2, Part A, Chapter 3, John Veltri, S.J.

 "Principles of Spiritual Direction" - Robert Moreau

 "Characteristics of Good Spiritual Direction"

 "Qualities of a Good Spiritual Companion"

 "Helpful Tips When Companioning With Your Retreatant"

 "Where Do We Experience God?", A Friendship Like No Other, William Barry, S.J.

 "Distractions in Prayer," The Ignatian Adventure, O'Brien, p53

 "Images of God," The Ignatian Adventure, O'Brien, p 55

Respond to any one or two of the following questions. Post your reflections for the other interns to consider and comment on. Comments (that is, replies to a posting, are to be limited to "affirming," "clarifying," or "mirroring" statements. And, as usual, they are to be non-judgmental avoiding any form of debate.

Questions to consider as you review the reading.

1, What were the highlights of the material for me?

2. What touched me or gave me new or nuanced insights?

3. What challenged me in this material?

4. What connects or resonates with my experience of the Spiritual Exercises

5. What was relevant to my formation as a prayer companion or spiritual director?

6. What would you like to take to prayer?

Week of Prayer 2 - God's Ongoing Creation

 List of Resources

 

Orientations, Volume 2, Part A, Chapter 2, John Veltri, S.J.

"Listening with the Heart"

"Loving Well, Listening Well"

"Listening," Morton T. Kelsey

"I Know You Are Listening to Me When"

"Reflection On Annotation #15"

"Mystery is Endless Knowability," Richard Rohr

"At Home in Mystery," Richard Rohr

Repetition

Review of Prayer

Questions to reflect on:

When have you not felt listened to?

How did it happen?

How did it make you feel?

How do you need to improve your listening skills?

 

Respond to any one or two of the following questions. Post your reflections for the other interns to consider and comment on. Comments (that is, replies to a posting, are to be limited to "affirming," "clarifying," or "mirroring" statements. And, as usual, they are to be non-judgmental avoiding any form of debate.
Questions to consider as you review the reading.
1, What were the highlights of the material for me?
2. What touched me or gave me new or nuanced insights?
3. What challenged me in this material?
4. What connects or resonates with my experience of the Spiritual Exercises
5. What was relevant to my formation as a prayer companion or spiritual director?
6. What would you like to take to prayer?

Week of Prayer 1 - God's Unconditional Love for Me

The material for reflection this week revolves around establishing a relationship of safety and trust between the beginning retreatant and prayer companion. It also touches on the attitudes and dispositions that are to be fostered as one begins this adventure in prayer and growing relationship with God. The materials to read are:

• Orientations, Volume 2, Part A, Chapter 1, John Veltri, S.J.

• "The Presupposition of the Spiritual Exercises," The Ignatian Adventure, O'Brien, p 43

• SpEx 75 - Disposition in Prayer

Respond to any one or two of the following questions. Post your reflections for the other interns to consider and comment on. Comments (that is, replies to a posting, are to be limited to "affirming," "clarifying," or "mirroring" statements. And, as usual, they are to be non-judgmental avoiding any form of debate.

Questions to consider as you review the reading.

1, What were the highlights of the material for me?

2. What touched me or gave me new or nuanced insights?

3. What challenged me in this material?

4. What connects or resonates with my experience of the Spiritual Exercises

5. What was relevant to my formation as a prayer companion or spiritual director?

6. What would you like to take to prayer?

Week of Prayer 0 - Introduction

Summer Reading Assignment: "God's Unconditional Love: Healing Our Shame" by Wilkie Au and Noreen Cannon Au

Respond to any one or two of the following questions. Post your reflections for the other interns to consider and comment on. Comments (that is, replies to a posting, are to be limited to "affirming," "clarifying," or "mirroring" statements. And, as usual, they are to be non-judgmental avoiding any form of debate.

Questions to consider as you review the reading.

1, What were the highlights of the material for me?

 2. What touched me or gave me new or nuanced insights? 

 3. What challenged me in this material? 

 4. What connects or resonates with my experience of the Spiritual Exercises

 5. What was relevant to my formation as a prayer companion or spiritual director? 

 6. What would you like to take to prayer?

Lesson 1 - Day 6

Suggested Reading:

(a) For question #1 & 2: Mark 4:1-9, 13-20

(b) For question #4: John 16:13

Questions for Reflection

For questions 1 - 3, read Mark’s parable of the sowing of the seed (see above) and imagine that you are the soil that Jesus is speaking about.

1. Which of the soils best describes your readiness and to receive the seed?

2. What in your life might be keeping you from being the most fertile and receptive soil for the seed.

3. What might you do or change in your life to better receive and nurture the Word of God?

4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in our prayer, study, and reflection on Scripture.

Lesson 1 - Day 5

Suggested Reading:

(a) For question #1: Psalm 107:19-20; Psalm 119:105; Isaiah 40:8; Isaiah 55:10-11; Jeremiah 23:29

(b) For question #2: John 8:31-32; Romans 10:17; Hebrews 4:12; James 1:22-25

Questions for Reflection

1. How do the Old Testament readings above describe the powerful effects of the Word of God?

2. How do the New Testament readings above describe the Word of God?

3. As you reflect on these Scriptural passages, do find that any of them speak to your own experience of the Word, the impact of the Word of God in your own heart, life, or thinking?

4. Describe some way in which the Word of God has impacted your life. Perhaps there is an image that captures your understanding of how God’s Word touches your life. What might it be?

Lesson 1 - Day 4

Suggested Reading:

(a) For question #1: Deuteronomy 6: 4-5; Deuteronomy 6:6-9

(b) “The Church has always venerated the divine Scriptures just as she venerated the Body of the Lord, in so far as she never ceases, particularly in the sacred liturgy, to partake of the bread of life and to offer it to the faithful from the one table of the Word of God and the Body of Christ.” (Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, 21)

Questions for Reflection

1. What do the readings listed above suggest about how we are to honor the Word of God?

2. How does the liturgy of the Word at Mass (the place and manner of proclamation of the Scripture readings) reflect the presence of God to us?

3. How has the Bible, reading and reflecting on it, been a part of your life? How do you see it becoming more or less a part of your life?