In
The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius Loyola: Contexts, Sources, Reception, Terence O’Reilly examines the historical, theological and literary contexts in which the
Exercises took shape. The collected essays have as their common theme the early history of the
Spiritual Exercises, and the interior life of Ignatius Loyola to which they give expression.
The traditional interpretation of the
Exercises was shaped by writings composed in the late sixteenth century, reflecting the preoccupations of the Counter-Reformation world in which they were composed. The
Exercises, however, belong, in their origins, to an earlier period, before the Council of Trent, and the full recognition of this fact, and of its implications, has confronted modern scholars with fresh questions about the sources, evolution, and reception of the work.
Terence O’Reilly is professor emeritus of Spanish at University College Cork. His principal field of research is the literature and history of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Spain. His latest book is
The Bible in the Literary Imagination of Golden Age Spain (Philadelphia: Saint Joseph University Press, 2010).
“This book is an important tool for those wishing to engage critically and at depth with Ignatius Loyola and his legacy.”
Timothy W. O’Brien S.J., in: Studies, Vol. 111, No. 441 (Spring 2022), pp. 100–102.
“The book is to be strongly recommended to all interested in the
Spiritual Exercises.
Joseph A. Munitiz S.J., in:
The Way, Vol. 60, No. 3 (July 2021), pp. 111–114.
Preface List of Illustrations Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part 1:Contexts
1 Ignatius Loyola and the Counter-Reformation: the Hagiographic Tradition 1.1 Protestantism 1.1.1The Early Years 1.1.2Jerusalem 1.1.3The Society of Jesus 1.2 The Papacy 1.2.1The Early Years 1.2.2The Society of Jesus 1.2.3General of the Society 1.2.4Conflict 1.3 The Medieval Orders 1.3.1The Founding of the Society 1.3.2General of the Society
2 Ignatius Loyola and Martin Luther: The Origins of the Spiritual Exercises in Spain 2.1 The Reform 2.2 Works and Grace 2.3 Manresa 2.4 The Exercises 2.5 The Spirituali
3 Saint Ignatius Loyola and Spanish Erasmianism
4 The
Spiritual Exercises
and Illuminism in Spain: dominican Critics of the Early Society of Jesus 4.1 The Attack on the Spiritual Exercises 4.2 Melchor Cano 4.3 Contemplation 4.4 Consolation 4.5 The Holy Spirit 4.6 Conclusion
Part 2: Sources
5 Early Printed Books in Spain and the Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola 5.1 Loyola 5.2 Vita Christi 5.3 Flos Sanctorum 5.4 Montserrat 5.5 Libros de horas 5.6 Contemptus Mundi 5.7 Erasmus 5.8 Conclusion
6 Fear and Love in the Spiritual Exercises 6.1 The Conversion of Ignatius and Discretion 6.2 The Rules and the Reading of Ignatius in Spain 6.2.1The Vita Christi 6.2.2The Golden Legend 6.2.3The Imitation of Christ 6.3 Conclusion
7 Consolation without a Preceding Cause 7.1 France and Italy (1529–41) 7.2 Spain (1521–22) 7.3 John Helyar 7.4 Sister Teresa Rejadell 7.5 The Final Recension (1539–40) 7.6 Conclusions
8 Devotional Writing: the
Spiritual Exercises
of Ignatius of Loyola 8.1 The Grades of Fear 8.2 Imagery 8.3 Other Schemata 8.4 Conclusion
Part 3: Reception
9 Joseph Veale and the History of the Spiritual Exercises 9.1 Factors of Change 9.2 The Text 9.3 Context 9.4 Reception
10 Melchor Cano and the Spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola: the Censura y parecer contra el Insituto de los Padres Jesuitas 10.1 History of the Text 10.2 Cano and Ignatius 10.3 The Spiritual Exercises 10.4 The Society of Jesus 10.5 The British Library Manuscript 10.6 [92r] Censura y parecer que dio el Padre Maestro Fray Melchor Cano de la Orden de Predicadores contra el Instituto de los Padres Jesuitas
11 Saint Teresa and Her First Jesuit Confessors 11.1 Teresa’s Experience of Prayer 11.2 A Divided Heart 11.3 The Humanity and Divinity of Christ 11.4 Discernment of Spirits 11.5 Diego de Cetina 11.6 Juan de Prádanos 11.7 Conclusion
12 The
Spiritual Exercises
and the
Diario espiritual
of St. Ignatius 12.1 Context 12.2 The First Fascicule 12.2.1 The First Attempt (February 2–13) 12.2.2 The Second Attempt (February 13–18) 12.2.3 Third Attempt (February 19–24) 12.2.4 Pardon and Reconciliation (February 24–March 5) 12.2.5 Poverty of Spirit (March 6–12) 12.3 The Second Fascicule 12.4 The Diary and the Spiritual Exercises 12.5 Mysticism
Index
This volume will be of interest to historians of Spanish spirituality, to members of the Society of Jesus, and to directors and practitioners of the
Spiritual Exercises throughout the world.