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WELCOME AND OVERVIEW: Who am I?
WELCOME AND OVERVIEW: Who am I?
Five hundred years ago, Ignatius of Loyola was hit by a cannonball during a battle in Pamplona, Spain. That great disruption in his life led to a period of discernment that changed his view on the world and the course of his life. In our times the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a collective disruption in many areas of life. It marks a moment of potential change in views and actions. We hope that this booklet provides a framework for reflection that is helpful in this critical time as we work for racial equity.
Five hundred years ago, Ignatius of Loyola was hit by a cannonball during a battle in Pamplona, Spain. That great disruption in his life led to a period of discernment that changed his view on the world and the course of his life. In our times the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a collective disruption in many areas of life. It marks a moment of potential change in views and actions. We hope that this booklet provides a framework for reflection that is helpful in this critical time as we work for racial equity.
The slow process of physical healing in the life of St. Ignatius was matched with a growing depth of spiritual insight that he eventually set down in his Spiritual Exercises. These writing serve as a record and guide to the lessons he learned through intensive prayer and personal reflection.
The slow process of physical healing in the life of St. Ignatius was matched with a growing depth of spiritual insight that he eventually set down in his Spiritual Exercises. These writing serve as a record and guide to the lessons he learned through intensive prayer and personal reflection.
The “spiritual exercises” we offer here follow the pattern he set out. They are a collection of various forms of prayer, meditation, and reflection directed toward a deeper relationship with ourselves, others, and God.
The “spiritual exercises” we offer here follow the pattern he set out. They are a collection of various forms of prayer, meditation, and reflection directed toward a deeper relationship with ourselves, others, and God.
As we follow the path of St. Ignatius, we will be invited to walk with God in a searching examination of our life and our world. We encourage you to enter this retreat experience with an open mind, great courage and generosity, and a prayerful spirit.
As we follow the path of St. Ignatius, we will be invited to walk with God in a searching examination of our life and our world. We encourage you to enter this retreat experience with an open mind, great courage and generosity, and a prayerful spirit.
RESOURCES FOR PRAYER & REFLECTION
RESOURCES FOR PRAYER & REFLECTION
Grace for the Week
Grace for the Week
In the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius the person making the retreat is encouraged to set the intention for your prayer by asking for specific graces. Each week we invite you to follow this practice and provide suggestions for graces related to the prayer materials for that week.
In the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius the person making the retreat is encouraged to set the intention for your prayer by asking for specific graces. Each week we invite you to follow this practice and provide suggestions for graces related to the prayer materials for that week.
I begin my prayer this week by asking for the grace of an open mind and heart so that I can see my life with new eyes.
I begin my prayer this week by asking for the grace of an open mind and heart so that I can see my life with new eyes.
Resources for Prayer
Resources for Prayer
In the weeks of the retreat, daily prayer resources will be provided. For this introduction a few key materials and activities are offered for your use. Please use them as a starting point for prayer and reflection this week as we enter into the retreat.
In the weeks of the retreat, daily prayer resources will be provided. For this introduction a few key materials and activities are offered for your use. Please use them as a starting point for prayer and reflection this week as we enter into the retreat.
- “Reflecting on Our Call to This Work” from the Collaborative Organizing for Racial Equity (CORE) Toolkit describes the inspiration for this work.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Each week will have several questions based on the prayer materials and the theme of the week. Please use them to the extent that they are helpful to you.
Each week will have several questions based on the prayer materials and the theme of the week. Please use them to the extent that they are helpful to you.
- Where am I from? What are the sights, sounds, smells, and experiences that have shaped me?
- Who is God to me? Who am I to God?
- What drew me to participate in this retreat? How do I feel “called” to the work for racial equity? Have I ever witnessed or experienced racial injustice?
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS…
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS…
Please take some time to record a few brief notes on your prayer. These can be as simple as a word, image, or quote. These notes will be useful in sharing with your small group and noticing the patterns that develop in your prayer during this retreat.
Please take some time to record a few brief notes on your prayer. These can be as simple as a word, image, or quote. These notes will be useful in sharing with your small group and noticing the patterns that develop in your prayer during this retreat.
Isaiah 43:1-7
Isaiah 43:1-7
But now thus says the Lord,
But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
he who formed you, O Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God,
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
I give Egypt as your ransom,
Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you.
Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you.
Because you are precious in my sight,
Because you are precious in my sight,
and honored, and I love you,
and honored, and I love you,
I give people in return for you,
I give people in return for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
nations in exchange for your life.
Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not fear, for I am with you;
I will bring your offspring from the east,
I will bring your offspring from the east,
and from the west I will gather you;
and from the west I will gather you;
I will say to the north, “Give them up,”
I will say to the north, “Give them up,”
and to the south, “Do not withhold;
and to the south, “Do not withhold;
bring my sons from far away
bring my sons from far away
and my daughters from the end of the earth—
and my daughters from the end of the earth—
everyone who is called by my name,
everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”
whom I formed and made.”
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