Ignatius Grab-Bag Game

Instruction: Cut out each number (both the description and the questions) below at the line. Put the questions into a bag/box. Shuffle them and invite each member to pick one and read it out loud. (Note: The questions below are in relation to the members’ lives.)

1) Family: Ignatius was born as Inigo de Loyola in Spain in 1491, a year before the discovery of America. He was the youngest of 13 children. His parents died before he was 16, when he went to live with a family friend.

Questions:

1. Where and when were you born? Is there anything significant about the place and time?

2. How many family members do you have? Whom do you feel closest to in your family?

2) Ignatius’ Talents and Addictions: Ignatius’ gifts were dueling and horse riding. However,

he was very addicted to gambling and women.

Questions:

1. What are your unique talents?

2. Is there anything you particularly struggled with that you feel comfortable sharing?

3) Cannon Ball Experience: During battle, a cannon ball wounded one of Ignatius’ legs and broke the other. During his recuperation, two books that changed his life were The Life of Christ and The Life of the Saints.

Questions:

1. Do you have any “cannon ball” experiences that made you pause and question life and God?

2. Are there any books that “changed” your life or outlook on life?

4) Dreamer: Ignatius daydreamed about being a knight and winning a noble lady in court. He also daydreamed about being a saint.

Questions:

1. What do you usually daydream about?

2. What is your dream right now at this point in your life?

5) Seeker: After regaining his health, Ignatius decided to go on a journey to search for his purpose and passions in life. He left Loyola and went to Montserrat, where he went to confession, held an all-night vigil, left his sword at the altar to symbolize leaving his old way of life, and gave away his clothes.

Questions:

1. Are there any important questions or decisions you have to make right now?

2. Have you ever given up something meaningful in order to pursue a new or different goal?

6) Prayer: Ignatius’ first months at Manresa were filled with profound spiritual consolation. He volunteered to help the sick in a hospital, begged for food, and slept wherever he could.

Questions:

1. How do you pray?

2. When was the last time you experienced consolation, a sense of God’s presence, of being at peace and alive?

7) Restless Heart: After months of consolation, Ignatius began to experience desolation. He felt that God was totally absent in his life. Ignatius tried to pray and fast more to regain the joy and consolation that he once had, but it was all in vain! He was on the brink of desperation and suicide.

Questions:

1. Have you ever felt God did not listen or respond to your prayer? Explain.

2. When was the last time you felt depressed and cried?

8) Transformative Experiences: When peace returned to his tortured soul, Ignatius had some transformative experiences. These moments strengthened his faith to the point that he said that if there were no Bible, he would still be convinced of God’s existence and love for him.

Questions:

1. How would you describe your relationship with God right now?

2. At what point in your life was your faith strongest? How do you account for this?

9) Spiritual Guide: During his time, Ignatius often shared with others his own experiences of God. He wrote a book, which helps others discover their personal vocations called “The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.” It is on these exercises that CLC is based.

Questions:

1. Have you ever talked or shared with others about your experiences of God? Describe.

2. If you had to give advice or write a book about spirituality, what one or two things would you say?

10) Education: After many years of helping others to experience God, Ignatius discovered that he needed to further his education to better serve others. During his studies, he found a small group of friends who helped one another to discover their calling and purpose in life.

Questions:

1. What do you think about Ignatius’ opinion that “he needed to further his education to better serve others”?

2. How do your friends help you discover your calling and purpose in life?