2. What Are the Spiritual Exercises? The Spiritual Exercises are a compilation of prayers, meditations, and contemplative practices Created by St. Ignatius of Loyola to help deepen your relationship with God and to “conquer yourself”
3. The Structure of the Exercises It is divided into four stages called “weeks” Was traditionally a 30 day event, usually spent in complete silence and solitude In recent years, a new 30 week event has been made to help fit into people’s busy lives
4. Types of Prayer in the Exercises Meditation- pondering the basic principles that guide our life Discernment of Spirits- reflecting on your thoughts ,feeling, emotions, etc. and attempting to understand them Contemplation- relying on your imaginations to place yourself in a scene from the Gospels
5. Week One It is a time to reflect on God’s love for us See that our response to God’s love is hindered by our sins End the first week with a meditation on Christ’s call to follow him
6. Week Two Your meditations and prayer help you follow Christ like his disciples Reflect on: Christ’s birth and baptism His sermon on the mount His ministry on healing and teaching His raising of Lazarus from the dead
7. Week Three Meditate on: The Last Supper The Passion and death of Christ See how his suffering and gift of the Eucharist are the ultimate example of love
8. Week Four Meditate on: Christ’s Resurrection His apparitions to the disciples Think of ways to serve God in the world
