St. Ignatius of Loyola, Christian Mystic

This is a brief overview of Section 2 content, Inigo's early years.

This lecture will focus on Ignatius's budding career as a knight in the Spanish court and as a fearless warrior, far from the saintly man he would become.

In the face of defeat, the famous Battle of Pamplona was a watershed moment in Ignatius's life, where his bravery and foolishness collided.

Based on the Battle of Pamplona lecture, you are invited to participate in a reflection on a memorable moment in your own life that was a catalyst for a change of heart or turn-of-events for you.

Overview of Section 3, Inigo's spiritual awakening.

In this lecture you will observe the beginning of a transition for Ignatius, as he lay in bed recovering from his battle wounds. His life takes a turn, from his old ways to something new and unexpected for him.

This lecture describes how Mary, the mother of Jesus, became an important, endearing, and lifelong companion to Ignatius.

In this meditation you are given an opportunity to perhaps experience a bit of why Mary, the mother of Christ, meant so much to Ignatius.

Overview of Section 4 material, Inigo, the pilgrim, beginning his journey of transformation.

This lecture sheds light on the shift of Ignatius's mindset as this changed man leaves his home at Loyola castle, determined to journey to Jerusalem, with his eyes set on converting the Moors there.

As we travel with Ignatius, we will see how his devotion to Mary, the mother of Christ, is a compelling factor in his stopping points on the way to Jerusalem. At each stop, we can see his spiritual development in progress. Perhaps Ignatius can help us see how we have grown over the course of our travels as well.

A poignant story as Ignatius has an encounter and dispute with a Moor, a man with a faith of a different persuasion. It comes with a message for today's readers as well.

Often Ignatius's dilemmas parallel our own psychological, emotional and/or spiritual dilemmas.  Here is a reflection using his experience as a jumping off point for you to reflect on the difficult choices you have in your own life.

Overview of Section 5 which begins the mystical stage of purgation in Inigo's life.

What happened at the town of Montserrat is one of many turnings point on Ignatius's spiritual journey. In this lecture you will learn how the first stage of the mystical way, purgation, is entered into by Ignatius.

This lecture describes an unexpected learning experience for Ignatius when he meets a beggar.

Ignatius learned to surrender and let go of things that kept him from progressing on his spiritual journey. This is an opportunity for you, like Ignatius, to reflect on surrendering and letting go of things that may be blocking your own spiritual progress.

Overview of Section6, Inigo enters the transitional phase of his mystical journey, the Dark Night, while at Manresa, Spain.

Living in the town of Manresa became a crucial time for Ignatius in his spiritual development. This lecture discusses some events at Manresa where you will get an inside view of Ignatius's struggles with his ego during the mystical stage of purgation.

Ignatius went through a transitional stage in the mystical path called the "dark night of the senses." His "dark night" will be reviewed in this lecture, so dark for him that he even contemplated suicide.

Ignatius eventually learned to be compassionate toward others and wanted others to be compassionate toward themselves, which is evidenced when he wrote the Constitutions for his religious order, the Society of Jesus.  It is healthy and desirable to be compassionate to ourselves. Here is a 5-minute self-compassion break for you to enjoy.

Here is a 5-minute self-compassion break for you to enjoy by Dr. Kristin Neff, renowned researcher in the area of compassion.

Overview of Section 7 and Inigo's visions gifted to him by God, as Inigo enters the Illuminative stage of the mystical way.

You will be become aware of a series of divine visions Ignatius received while living in the town of Manresa; visions which continued to expand his heart and mind, and connected him ever more closely to the Divine Trinity.

In this lecture you will discover how Ignatius is drawn closer to Christ in another poignant vision which encourages him on his spiritual journey.

While contemplating at the River Cardoner, Ignatius had a transformative experience which informed his mind as much as his soul. This lecture will provide details on this important event in his life.

This meditation for you is based on the painting entitled, "Transformed at Cardoner."  It is an opportunity for you to ponder Ignatius in the painting and journal  your thoughts based on what touches you as you reflect upon the painting.

Overview of Section 8 where Inigo has many setbacks on his journey.  He even gets entangled with the Spanish Inquisition.

Ignatius was so excited to get to Jerusalem, his primary goal when leaving his home at Loyola Castle, but once he got to the city, circumstances forced him to leave the city before he was ready. This lecture looks at Ignatius's time in Jerusalem and how circumstances once again altered his plans, which was for his good and ultimately the good of many others.

This lecture describes Ignatius's time and activities at the university in Barcelona. His activities included preaching that so mesmerized women it resulted in his first contact with the infamous Spanish Inquisition.

In this lecture you will continue to follow Ignatius's adventures as he travels to other cities, and as he encounters the Spanish Inquisitors again.

This reflection will provide you with some ideas from St. Ignatius which may be helpful to you if you have to deal with personal setbacks. . . who doesn't?

We will consider an important aspect in Ignatius' journey:  the role of friendships.

Friendship as a sacred pathway to God.

A community of friends, not a hierarchy.

From Ignatius, we can learn ways to grow spiritually through our friendships.

This reflection helps you to recognize and nourish your spiritual friendships in practical ways.

Overview of Section 9 which includes a brief explanation of Ignatius' famous prayers:  The Spiritual Exercises and the Examen of Consciousness.

You will be provided a general overview of the acclaimed Spiritual Exercises by St. Ignatius, how they are "given," their purpose, and the prayer methods involved.

In this lecture you will be taking a walk through the four stages of the Spiritual Exercises and receive a basic understanding of the subject matter contained in each stage.

The Examen of Consciousness, written by Ignatius, is a review of your day to see how and where God was present for you and/or how and where you were present to God.  Ignatius found this practice to be so fruitful and important, he insisted that all Jesuits engage in this review twice daily which they do to this day.  After this lecture, you will be able to articulate and define the five sections of the Examen of Consciousness and be able to do the daily for yourself, if you so desire.

This is a reflection for you which presents an example of how the Spiritual Exercises can be used today.