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The Call of the King
AMDG As long as the retreatant has attained the graces of the first week – there is now a change in dynamic as we start the second week with the meditation on the Call of the King. Note that the term...
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The Two Standards & Celebrity Culture
AMDG For me this has always been one of the key moments in the Spiritual Exercises. Towards the start of the Second Week – we have a meditation presented to us by Ignatius of two armies being...
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Discernment
AMDG All of the contemplations & meditations of the Second Week are leading up to a climax in the second week – what Ignatius calls an election. For many Jesuits the election is made about a state...
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Foolish Devotion
AMDG Many alumni from Jesuit schools worldwide should be able to tell you of Ignatius of Loyolas heroic attempt to defend Pamplona from the French. Rousing the desperate troops into defiant...
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A vigil of Love
AMDG If you have ever sat by the hospital bed of someone you love – as they are dying – you will have experienced the anguish and pain of being helpless in the face of such a trauma. Even worse...
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Through a mothers eyes
AMDG There is a phrase I learnt from a US Podcast on the series Lost – ‘it got a little bit dusty in the living room’ – when you are trying to blink back the tears watching a movie. I am a real softy...
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A Joy that surpasses all joys
AMDG So we have arrived in the fourth and final week of the Exercises…. hopefully still intact! The Third Week really stretches your compassion as you attempt to accompany Christ through his passion...
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Reaching Love
AMDG At the end of the fourth week – after contemplating various post-resurrection narratives – we reach a beautiful and original Ignatian contemplation – often referred to by Jesuits as just The...
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Gratitude – Happiness Doubled by Wonder
AMDG At last! We have finished the retreat – we are out of the silence. Talking and listening to my fellow tertians the shared feeling is one of renewal and deep gratitude. The proto-martyr of the...
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Inspiring Commitment
AMDG When I reflect on different places I have worked in my life, the greatest memories I have are when I have worked alongside people who inspire me, whether it was my boss or colleagues. It is great...
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Soon to be Saint Peter Faber – Model for Pope Francis
AMDG There have been many whispers but today it seems to be confirmed in the Italian Press. Pierre Favre, the first Jesuit priest (he was already ordained when he joined with the group of men who were...
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Breaking the Chain of Hate
AMDG I read a book a few years ago which had a profound effect on me. ‘Forgiveness – Breaking the Chain of Hate‘ by Michael Henderson looks at the lives of dozens of remarkable people of many nations...
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Joy – (EG 1)
AMDG Now that academic term has finished – and many students have left Manchester, I have a little bit of space and have decided to slowly read through Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel) - Pope...
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Peter & Paul & Pope Francis
AMDG Thanks for all the messages about yesterdays homily on Radio 4 (available on listen again for 6 days from now Link ) In response for a few requests for a copy of it – below is the original...
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Reflections on Freedom
AMDG Enjoying the experience of directing a long retreat, 30-days of silence, following the Spiritual Exercises, in North Wales. I am with 6 other ‘youngish’ Jesuits of my generation, so as well as...
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Being with Ignatius
AMDG Thanks for all the messages on this feast of St Ignatius….. I have fond memories of celebrating this feast in Tanzania in recent years with our pupils, and in India with the Dalits, and in...
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Making Good Decisions
AMDG At the heart of the Second Week of the Exercises – is making an ‘election’ – i.e. answering the question how should I lead my life. This can be a formal election, e.g. shall I marry this person,...
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A women who synthesised the 20thC in her heart
AMDG Today we are moving into the Third Week of the Exercises – where we contemplate Christ in his Passion. It is a ‘test’ of discipleship and any elections made in the Second Week. Often a dry...
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Falling Upwards with Ignatius
AMDG Feast of St Ignatius “ So it is when a man stores up treasure for himself in place of making himself rich in the sight of God! ” Luke 12:21 This is the challenge at the heart of our faith –...
View ArticleConsolation – Tools for Discernment 4
AMDG How do we know we are on the right track in life? There are many cues that we get from our friends, work, family, that we are socially integrating well. Sometimes this is not enough and we...
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