Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius

Course Description

The course introduces the student to the dynamics of grace presented in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, situating the Exercises both in their historical context and within its interpretations in contemporary culture.

The goal of this course is 1. to prepare a student to engage in the role of directing the spiritual exercises 2. to allow the student to understand the dynamics of these exercises 3. to see the underlying anthropology and theology of these exercises.

Course Objectives

STUDENTS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING THIS COURSE  BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THE FOLLOWING LEARNING OUTCOMES.

(A) IN RESPECT OF GENERAL ACADEMIC SKILLS For both the BD and AD students:The ability to focus and to express oneself, orally and in written form, succinctly, clearly, and accurately. In addition the AD students will be able to show facility in interdisciplinary studies

IN RESPECT OF THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONTENT OF ONE OR MORE THEOLOGICAL DISCIPLINES. For the BD the student will be able to

draw connections between spirituality and soteriology, grace , anthropology, and ecclesiology. AD students can be expected to do this at a higher and more sophisticated degree as they integrate their backgrounds of other theological and cultural perspectives into an interdisciplinary understanding of the Exercises

IN RESPECT OF PERSONAL AND SPIRITUAL FORMATION.

For BD students the ability to read one’s life within the narrative of God’s Divine Mercy as shown in the life of Christ using the perspective of the Exercises. For AD students a more nuanced reading of the BD competence plus being able to see, understand and articulate how the dynamics of grace operates in their personal lives and in their communities today and invites them to a more committed response

(D) IN RESPECT OF MINISTERIAL AND PUBLIC LEADERSHIP

For the BD student the basic skills to offer simple spiritual direction and discernment. For the AD student more sophisticated tools for spiritual direction and discernment in institutional settings, such as a parish, a spirituality centre, or seminary.

Course Schedule

A detailed course schedule is available for download.