Like a friend talking to a friend. Theresian symbols in dialogue with Ignatian Exercises

This book arises from the spiritual exercises offered to different groups: religious people, lay adults, young people, and priests. Because of its origin and its intention, it is not an academic book, but a book to pray. It gathers some elements which can help animate particular times or a sequence of days of prayer following Ignatius of Loyola and Teresa of Jesus, linking some of Teresa’s symbols to a possible itinerary of the Exercises of Saint Ignatius.

We may ask ourselves what these two great masters of the 16th century, can say today to our contemporaries. They both come closer to our time with the strength of an experience of God made word and proposal. First, this books presents some theoretical elements that allow us locate the dialogue of both spiritualities, and then it offers some suggestions to pray in stages and differentiated times for a reading that can become prayer as its greatest fruit.

Carolina Mancini, Mary Larrosa and Pablo Lamarthée, SJ, encourage proposals for personal growth in the psycho-spiritual field. In this book, they gather their experiences as companions of courses of Spiritual Exercises, and unite their respective Theresian and Ignatian traditions and opening paths to discover what these two great teachers can bring to contemporary spirituality.

1. Historical-spiritual approach.

2. The Abodes in dialogue with the Ignatian Exercises.

3. Invitation to experience.

4. Steps for a journey of prayer:

Getting in. Opening our home to God.

Desiring. Being thirsty for a fulfilling life.

Finding. Discovering the basics.

Knowing. Knowing who we are in our friendship with Him.

Releasing. Clearing the path to removing obstacles.

Purifying. Taking away in order to having more.

Reconciling. Unconditional loved.

Listening. Receiving a call.

Contemplating. Approaching a mystery.

Walking. Walking by His side.

Healing. The power through the hands.

Discernment. Elucidating our work.

Service. Learning from His style.

Taking into consideration. How the divinity of Jesus is hidden.

Dying. Loving till the end.

Transforming. Laying aside the old self.

Liking. Savoring the newness of the Risen.

Admiring. How the divinity of Jesus is shown.

Loving. Thanking so much well received.

Looking at. To love and serve in everything.

Glowing up. Be salt and light of the world.

Tuning. Treasuring the gift of his love.