IGNATIUS LOYOLA
 
5 METHODS of PRAYER
(from the Exercises)

 

The apotheosis of St. Ignatius
 
Baciccio


 

 


FIRST METHOD
(Upon the Commandments / Sobre Mandamientos )
 

 

 

 for the poorly-educated or illiterate

I. PREPARATION

1. CONSIDER what you will do (composition of place).

2. Acknowledge failure to keep commandments; Pray for grace to amend, better understand, keep commandments.

II. BODY

CONSIDER a chosen subject, such as the Ten Commandments, the Commandments of the Church, the Seven Deadly Sins and their opposing virtues, the powers of the soul (memory, understanding, will), the five senses, the works of mercy.

III. COLLOQUY (with God our Lord)

An intimate, familiar, loving CONVERSATION such as a child has with a father


[Note similarity of this method to the Examen. All Ignatian methods follow  the threefold shape of this method: preparation, body, colloquy.]

 

 

 

 


SECOND METHOD
(study the meaning of each word of the prayer)

 

 

 

 

Somewhat analogous to monologistic prayer (hesychasm - the Jesus Prayer, or Cassian's formula-prayer)

After initial PREPARATION, as above,

the person reflects in the BODY upon each word of a prayer, such as the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary, or a Psalm or Scripture text. [“for so long a time as he finds meanings, comparisons, and relish, and consolation in considerations belonging to such a word”]

The prayer ends with the Hail Mary, Creed, Anima Christi, and Salve Regina, and a brief COLLOQUY - prayer

 

 

 

 


THIRD METHOD
(by rhythmical beats - por compas / per intervalla)

 

 

 

 

A means of reciting vocal prayers with care and devotion: especially useful in times of aridity. This method links breathing with the second method, seeking a set rhythm.

One word only is said between each breath, and the person reflects during each breath on the following:

1. The meaning of the word;

2. The person to whom one is speaking;

3. or one’s own lowly estate;

4. or the contrast between God’s high estate and our own lowliness.

 

 

 

 


FOURTH METHOD
(the Application of the five senses)

 

 

 

 

“Especially [for] Contemplations on the life of our Lord and on Hell”

The PREPARATION- prayer asks that all intentions, applications and operations may be directed purely to the service and prayer of His Divine Majesty 

The BODY of this method requires that in turn we take an image: for example, Hell and the suffering of the damned, the Trial of Jesus, His Passion, the Resurrection, etc.; and apply each of the five senses to that image:

1. sight

2. hearing

3. smell

4. taste

5. feeling.

 

 

 


FIFTH METHOD
(The so-called Ignatian Method)

 

 

 

 

Two things precede the preparation
I. REMOTE PREPARATION

Choose and read over the subject (a passage of Scripture) the night before, reflect upon it, and choose one or two points for meditation.

II.  INTRODUCTION to the ACTS of PRAYER

The next morning arise quickly, lift the mind and heart to God, and focus the mind on the Composition of [biblical] Place, the God Whom we shall meet, the grace we desire, and the practices that will help.

III.  THE MEDITATION PROPER

1. Briefly recall the subject and points chosen.

2. Composition of Place: See the place: that is, imagine the scene and focus on the significant images.

3. Pray for: (a) an interior knowledge of our Lord; (b) to love Him more deeply; and (c) follow the Lord more truly.

IV. BODY of the MEDITATION

Apply to the scene and its central images:

1. memory, and then

2. understanding, and finally

3. will, so that one may make a firm RESOLUTION to act.

V. COLLOQUY
Fervent outpourings of the heart and prayer for the grace to keep the resolutions.

 

[VI. REFLECTION]

“To look and see what success I have had in my meditation or contemplation, the cause if it has gone badly, or to give thanks to God if it has gone well”


 

 


A SIMPLE ADMONITION
 

 

 

In regard to the prayers required of scholastics: two simple, short, frequently-repeated entreaties are required:

One of loving attention to God,

and the other of offering all their works to our Lord.

 

 

 

 

Note that for Ignatius,

MEDITATION means applying the mind to a supernatural truth

while CONTEMPLATION means inwardly "looking" at some biblical event or scene from the life of Christ.

 


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