St. Ignatius
Saint Ignatius's work, Spiritual Exercises, was originally composed as a method of sharing his insights into the Christian life with others, but later evolved into the basis on which most retreats for priests, religious, and lay people were given (13). The themes laid out in Spiritual Exercises can still be effectively applied to both modern Christian and secular life.Saint Ignatius presents several spiritual exercises that seek to aid in the strengthening of an individual's spirituality. The term spiritual exercises includes examinations of consciousness, meditations, contemplations, vocal and mental prayers, and fasting; and are aimed at discovering what the individual deems important or desires in their life, and then purging all unnecessary worldly attachments. After this is completed, the exercises focus on seeking and discovering the divine will regarding the direction and character of one's life. The Exercises are divided into four weeks: the first week deals with the consideration and contemplation of sin; the second, the life of Jesus Christ through Palm Sunday; the third, the Passion of Christ; and the fourth with the resurrection and ascension of Jesus (38).
The exercises found in week one are relevant to both Christian and worldly young people. Week four promotes the exercitant to meditate on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and of the miraculous appearance of the divinity, which had seemingly remained hidden during the Passion. The participant should consider how Christ died for his sin, and how God's mercy has sustained and saved him. These Exercises are designed to promote unselfish love, joy in Christ's glory, and an unchanging trust in Christ the Consoler (15). The exercitant should also ponder what he has done and is doing for Christ. This week is to be spent in apologetic sorrow, and penance should be observed by denial of bodily pleasures. Saint Ignatius's Spiritual Exercises attempts to strengthen the Christian relationship with God by purging the soul of sin and bringing the individual's will into perfect accordance with the divine. By loving Jesus, the participant will try to adapt his life to the model that was laid out by Christ, and thereby the concrete norm of Christian perfection (14). The second week also contains instructions that are pertinent to a young person today. The second week is aimed at gaining an intimate knowledge, as well as a pure love, of Jesus Christ. The participant is urged to reflect on the history of sin and its consequences, and realize the seriousness and malice of personal sin. Although his work was published over four hundred years ago, many of the exercises still hold relevant in current times and would prove a blessing in modern application. Moreover, it is important for both Christians and non-believers to examine good and evil in their life, to keep a lucid mind, and to act in a way that is imitable and upstanding. Christians should always strive to free their lives from sin and remain in accord with God's will, but secular people should also consider their wrong doings and the effect that it has on the world around them. " Regardless of religious affiliation, all young people should respect the world around them and value the gifts that it gives them.
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