Introduction - Retreat NOTES p1-3

INTRODUCTION:

It is important that Catholics learn the Catholic Faith and how to defend the various points of Doctrine that most often come under attack. This knowledge of Apologetics is needed not only to keep from losing The Faith, but also to be able to explain It to those who are interested. Such an educated Catholic will be quite able to win all the debates. However, few souls are converted by losing a debate. The problem for most of these poor souls is in the Heart and the Will. Apologetics however, appeals more to the Mind, than to the Heart or the Will.

This book will attempt to fill this need and appeal to the Heart and the Will and help us and others to want to truly do God’s will in our daily lives. It relies heavily upon the Notes and Thoughts obtained during various 5-Day Ignatian Retreats over the years offered by the Society of St. Pius X. It is hoped that these Notes and Thoughts will help us:

1. To understand why we were created and thereby know the END we must strive for.

2. To know the seriousness of sin and thereby have a horror of it.

3. To see what Hell will be like and thus increase our desire to avoid it.

4. To think about the terrible sufferings of Christ for the love of us, so that we may grow in love of Him. This Love will not only increase our desire to avoid sin but also to grow in sanctity.

5. To understand our ingratitude and rudeness to our loving Savior when we ignore both Him and the helps He offers us and thereby strive to be more fervent and frequent in our prayers and use of The Sacraments.

6. To see our Souls as God sees them (this is really scary!). Increase in us a sense of urgency to get back into the State of Grace (make a General Confession if we haven’t done so in the last year). To strive to stay in the State of Grace (by frequent use of the Sacrament of Confession).

7. To clearly understand what God requires of us and develop a sense of urgency, desire and love to truly want to do His Will and to have the courage to carry it through.

8. To realize the importance of making 5-day Ignatian Retreats every year if possible.

Before you read these Notes and Thoughts, please be aware that

these Spiritual Exercises are very special and precious, something

to be savored and absorbed. Give them your undivided attention!

Turn off the TV. Turn off the Radio. Find (if possible) a quiet

place. We cannot hear God speak to our hearts when our minds are

bombarded with noise and distractions. This is why Satan loves

noise. Our modern world is therefore filled with noise. In each of

the various Meditations, place yourself in the presence of God and

ask Him for the Graces you seek during the Meditation. Then be

QUIET. Read s l o w l y! Reflect on the points under consideration

and how they may apply to you. Allow God to form you. Think

about how God would like you to live the rest of your life. Allow

God to FORM you. How could you become a saint? How could

you help your family or others become saints. What steps will you

do now to grow in sanctity? Some of the Notes and Thoughts

should b e re-read several times. Think about them. Let Christ

speak to you heart. You may even want to take notes on the

thoughts that come to mind as you meditated, so you can refer to

them later.

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Who Was St. Ignatius?

St. Ignatius was born to a noble family in 1491in Loyola, Spain. As a young man he was a brave, loyal and noble Captain in the army of the King of Spain. He was also very vain as to his appearance. A cannon ball shattered his knee. He was captured by the French and was allowed to return to his family, to recover from his wombs. His leg was healing with an unsightly bump, so he had it re-broken in the hopes of healing with a more pleasing appearance. He walked with a limp for the rest of his life. During his recovery, he was given a book on the lives of the saints to read. This brave soldier who had seen many battles, was awed by the bravery of the Saints as they faced terrifying ordeals, while serving Christ the King.

St. Ignatius noticed that peace came with holy thoughts, unrest and discontent with the worldly ones. Christ spoke to the heart of St. Ignatius and he was filled with the desire to also serve such a King. He was eventually ordained a Priest and founded The Society of Jesus, later called The Jesuits.

Inspired by The Blessed Virgin Mary, he wrote his famous “Spiritual Exercises”. These Exercises take 30 days to complete. T hey are a great help in motivating souls to want to serve Christ the King. The Exercises help the soul to examine their conscience, to rid itself of inordinate attachments and then to seek and find the Will of God for the remainder of their life, for the Salvation of their soul. The Exercises were later modified and reduced to 5-days for lay people who can’t make the full 30-day Retreat.

The Spiritual Exercises are for all souls, regardless of their level of Spiritual advancement. Few souls realize what great things God would do with us if we presented no obstacles in the way.

Please Note:

These “Notes and Thoughts on an Ignatian Retreat” are NOT an Ignatian Retreat. To experience and to get the Grace of an Ignatian Retreat, attend one given by the good Priests of The Society of St. Pius X (SSPX). There you will also learn St. Ignatius’ Method for Meditation.

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Some of St. Ignatius’ Meditation suggestions are:

The Ignatian Method of Meditation:

Preparation for the Meditation:

1. Pick a subject to meditate on.

2. Place yourself in the presence of God.

See Him looking at you, perhaps as the loving Sacred Heart of Jesus, or perhaps as Christ The King. Humbly adore Him.

3. Preparatory Prayer (always the same):

“Oh God my Lord, please grant me the grace that all my intentions, all my actions, and all my works may be directed purely to the service and praise of your Divine Majesty.”

4. Visualize the Meditation.

In your mind, make a mental image of the place, as if your are actually there. For example if you are meditating on the Crucifixion, visualize yourself at the foot of the cross. Imagine what the scene looks like. What are the people doing and saying. What would you do or say if you were there.

5. Beg for the grace that you seek.

This is the fruit of the meditation. For example: contrition, joy, love, etc.

The Body of the Meditation:

6. Slowly go over each point in the Meditation and draw fruit from it.

Does this point apply to you? How? Is God speaking to your heart? What is He saying to you? What thoughts came to you during the meditation on this point? Write it down for reference later.

7. If you are not getting much fruit from the point you are on, move on to the next point.

8. If you are getting much fruit from a given point, dwell on it as long as you want. There is no need to move on to the other points.

Conclusion:

9. Prayers of Thanksgiving.

For example:

Speak with Our Lord as a servant speaks with his Master. Thank Him for any lights and thoughts. Ask Him for His help and guidance. Pray an Our Father or Anima Christe.

Speak with Our Lady, The Blessed Virgin Mary, as a child speaks to his mother. Ask for her help and guidance. Pray a Hail Mary.

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