IGNATIAN SPIRITUALITY
Ignatius constantly reflected on his experiences and learnt to keep and use what helped him grow humanly and spiritually, and to avoid what hindered him in his growth. Discernment became the key instrument of his life and he tried to teach it to others to help them in their own spiritual journeying. His spirituality is fully and deeply Catholic, based on the Gospels and on the spiritual traditions of the Church.
The basis of the spiritual life is faith in and felt experience of the God's love. Faced with this reality, one becomes aware of one's own sinfulness, and the need for conversion and recommitment to God. One also becomes aware of Christ calling one to follow him fully and radically. His prayer is: "To know Thee more clearly, to love Thee more dearly, to follow Thee more nearly, day by day." This following of Christ is really a becoming more conformed to the person and nature of Jesus Christ, even to suffering humiliations, poverty, insults, and even death. The promise of the resurrection and eternal life give courage and hope in the daily striving to follow Jesus. The final goal of one's striving and one's life is the fullness of love which is God's gift of Himself. "Love is a sharing of what one has and all that one is."
Genuine spirituality is revealed in the actions taken to communicate God's love to others. "Love is shown in deeds rather than in words." Ignatian spirituality is apostolic by its very nature. The Ignatian person is outgoing, growing is selfless service, open to others in respect, understanding and caring. It's character is "to seek and find God in all things". It's purpose is "to give greater glory to God and fuller service to others".