The Renewal of Ignatian Spirituality

Ignatian Spirituality has been renewed over the last fifty years. It offers Christians today a practical pathway to deepen their relationship with God, prayerfully discern major life decisions, and grow together as missionary disciples of Jesus Christ. The Jesuits in Britain and their partners in mission aim to 'show the way to God' through the Spriritual Exericses and discernement. This renewal of Ignatian spirituality has been nourished by reflection on practice, bringing together experience with ideas in theology and related disciplines. 

Forming a New Generation of Practitioners

In a situation of declining numbers of apostolic religious, there is need to support a new generation of Ignatian leaders. We need lay researchers and practitioners: those who can write about Ignatian spirituality, give the Spiritual Exercises, and help support the contemporary renewal and outreach of Ignatian Spirituality. There are many who feel called to an Ignatian way of living, but are looking for formation and a community to which they belonging.

Bringing Theory and Practice Together

Reflection on the praxis of Ignatian spirituality is waning. We need new creative reflection on contemplative praying and living, navigating life with God through discernment, and developing a spirituality for integral ecology. This will help us to present Ignatian Spirituality in a fresh way, suitable for this generation, and to offer a formation in depth for young lay practicioners. The fertile nexus of theory and praxis which characterised the renewal of the Spiritual Exercises in the first three decades after the Council, is needed again today.

Studies in Ignatian Practice

Studies in Ignatian Practice aims to meet aspects of these challenges by providing a space for academic and experiential reflection to come together, both in the 15,000 word research article and in the occasion of the seminar itself. The seminar is formed: of a ‘core’ group who organise the seminar and choose the topic and invitees; and of six to eight invitees who vary depending on the topic. Invitees are drawn from Northwest Europe and beyond, including both Jesuits and partners in mission.