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Structure of Ignatian Contemplation - English Jan 2022

A summary of the Ignatian Methodology for Contemplation and Meditation, extracted from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

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71 views

Structure of Ignatian Contemplation - English Jan 2022

A summary of the Ignatian Methodology for Contemplation and Meditation, extracted from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Uploaded by

pepsteruncini
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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The Warm-up The Core of the Prayer

● 1: Preparation: Before I go to prayer I select a ● The Points: I move slowly through the scripture
passage of scripture to pray with, and a length of passage, part by part, or point by
time. Spiritual Exercises (Sp. Ex.) [228]. (2-3 point. Have as many points as needed,
minutes). considering the following:
● 2: Entering God’s presence: as I transition into A) Move only when satisfied: I remain in the point or
prayer, I become aware that God gazes at me scene where I find fruit or consolation for as long
with love and I make the sign of the cross or any as I find fruit there rather than moving forward
reverence to acknowledge God’s presence with to reach the end. I move only when I feel
me. Sp. Ex. [75] (1 minute). satisfied. Sp. Ex. [76].
● 3: Posture: I settle into a comfortable posture B) *Reflect: I reflect on the meaning of what I am
that will help me pray. Sp. Ex. [76]. I breathe and seeing, listening, or what is happening, trying to
relax my muscles. (1 - 5 mins). gain some fruit out of what I see, hear, listen.
● 4: Preparatory Prayer:: “That all my thoughts,
actions, and attitudes may be completely Conclusion:
oriented towards your service and praise”. Sp. Ex. ● Coloqui: I Talk to Jesus, the Holy Spirit, or God
[46]. (1 minute). the Father as I would talk to a dear friend. I make
sure to listen to what God might be wanting to
Preambles / Introduction say to me through this prayer period. I listen to
● Preamble 1: *The story: I recall what happens in God speaking to me in the first person. [Sp. Ex.
the scripture story. What is the beginning, 54, 199]. Finish with an Our Father. (5-10 minutes)
middle and the end? Sp. Ex. [102] (1 minute). ● Prayer Examen: I review my prayer for about 15
● Preamble 2:**Composition of place: I engage minutes, as I remain in my place of prayer or
the scripture trying to imagine the place where walk around, trying to see how things went. I
things happen. I notice the time of day, the review internal and external things to see what
position of things, and the setting (e.g. animals, worked and what didn’t so that I can make
plants, etc.). Finally I imagine what people in the adjustments in the future where things didn’t
scene might be wearing and what they look like. work, and make note of the things that did work.
I use the senses of the imagination. Sp. Ex. [47, You may write this in a journal. [Sp. Ex. 77].
103] (5-10 minutes)
● Preamble 3: My desire: I ask God directly for a
grace that I desire from this particular prayer
period. Sp. Ex. [48, 104] (1 minute)

* - For contemplation only.


** - For contemplations or any meditation that may have a helpful evocative image.
Note: These steps are to be used only insofar as they help. Ignatius himself adapted
the structure to fit any particular prayer. So, be flexible and use this as needed.
However, this gives you a place to start. Remember to leave room for the
Holy Spirit to inspire you. However, this gives you a clear path to follow.
Prayer Examen
Structure of
External: Ignatian Prayer
- Was I faithful to the time I allotted for prayer?
- Was the place I chose helpful?
- Was I able to relax as I began my prayer?
- Was I engaged or distracted throughout the prayer?
- Did the posture I chose help my prayer?
- Did any other external elements help or hinder your prayer?

Internal:
- What caught my attention?
- How was my conversation with God?
- What feelings or insights stand out to me?
- Am I attaining any of the gifts of the spirit, such as trust, love,
joy, peace, mercy, understanding, etc.
- Is there something I want to offer to God?
- Is there anything pending for my next encounter with God?
- Do I sense any agitation or a resistance to something God may
be doing within me?

Handout from Master’s of Ignatian Spirituality from the Universidad


Pontificia de Comillas. Translated by Fr. Jose (Pepe) Ruiz Andujo, SJ

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