Overview
What is Ignatian Spirituality?
Manresa’s people and programs are inspired by Ignatian spirituality based on the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
Founder of the Jesuit order, and a former soldier who gave himself to Christ during recuperation from a war wound, Ignatius later had profound, mystical encounters with God and believed his experience could help others find God in their lives. His Spiritual Exercises is a compilation of meditations, prayers and contemplative practices to help people on retreat deepen their relationship with God.
At the heart of the Spiritual Exercises is the Jesus of the Gospels. It is Jesus Who invites us to companionship with Him and to co-labor with Him in building the Kingdom of God.
Ignatian spirituality offers a way to walk with God not only in explicitly religious moments like formal prayer but also in the demanding reality of everyday life. For Ignatius, God was to be found in all things and in all places.
Prayer of St. Ignatius
Take, O Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will. Whatever I have or hold, You have given me; I restore it all to You and surrender it wholly to be governed by Your will. Give me only Your love and Your grace, and I am rich enough and ask for nothing more.
