The Way of Ignatius: A Prayer Journey through Lent

by Gemma Simmonds

Overview

'Deeply grounded, practical and real.' Margaret Silf, author and spiritual explorer

Isn't a deep prayer life only for religious specialists?

In this introduction to the spiritual life, Gemma Simmonds shows that everyone can find prayer a rewarding experience. She explores the story and prayer tradition of Ignatius of Loyola, together with the contribution of the seventeenth-century Yorkshire woman, Mary Ward.

A guide for Lent and the rest of the year, The Way of Ignatius helps us to pray with the Scriptures in an imaginative way. To aid reflection and discussion, there are questions at the end of each chapter.

'In this wonderful book, Gemma Simmonds explores the method of prayer developed by St Ignatius in a way that makes this profound approach to prayer accessible . . . I highly recommend this book.' Ian Mobsby, Anglican priest, writer, speaker and Prior, Wellspring New Monastic Community, Peckham, London

'If you are looking for insightful and encouraging spiritual reading, you have found your book! . . . Gemma Simmonds invites us to be pilgrims in the company of Jesus, Ignatius and Mary Ward.' Kevin O'Brien SJ, author, The Ignatian Adventure: Experiencing the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius in daily life

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780281075317
Publisher:	SPCK (Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge)
Publication date:	11/15/2018
Series:	The Way of , #2
Pages:	108
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.30(d)

About the Author

Dr Gemma Simmonds is Senior Lecturer in Pastoral and Social Studies and Theology at Heythrop College, University of London, where she teaches Ignatian spirituality. A sister of the Congregation of Jesus, she has worked in teaching and in university and prison chaplaincy and done missionary work among women and street children in Brazil. She has been a spiritual director and retreat-giver since the 1990s and is a renowned international speaker and a regular broadcaster on religious programmes.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements vi
1 Getting going: discovering what we already have 1
2 How it all works 7
3 Two journeys of self-discovery 15
4 The pilgrim sets out 25
5 Who do you say I am? 36
6 The Spiritual Exercises: purpose and method 47
7 Caught in the system 56
8 Surveying the wondrous cross 63
9 An attitude of gratitude 72
Conclusion: finding God in all things 81
Notes 84
Copyright acknowledgements 89

What People are Saying About This

Margaret Silf

"The journeys, struggles and insights of two great spiritual pilgrims—Ignatius Loyola and Mary Ward—are skillfully woven together here to invite today's pilgrims into their own Ignatian adventure. Gemma Simmonds' own knowledge and love of both of these wise guides shines through these pages as she offers us a map for our own journey that is deeply grounded, practical and real. An excellent and very readable companion through Lent, and far beyond."

Kevin O'Brien SJ

"If you are looking for insightful and encouraging spiritual reading for Lent (or any other time), you have found your book! Grounding the spiritual in the practicable, Gemma Simmonds invites us to be pilgrims in the company of Jesus, Ignatius and Mary Ward. Learning from them along the way, we discover our own path to greater faith, hope and love."

Ian Mobsby

"Learning to pray by drawing on contemplation is vital today to be able to discern God's speaking through the details of our lives. To sustain a depth of faith in our challenging world, we need forms of prayer that maintain a rich and deeply nourishing spiritual life infused with the love of God. In this wonderful book, Gemma Simmonds explores and unpacks the method of prayer developed by St Ignatius in a way that makes the profound approach of the Jesuits accessible to those who want to be serious about their prayer lives. I highly recommend this book if you are hungry and seeking to encounter and discover God in a deeper way."

Editorial Reviews

The journeys, struggles and insights of two great spiritual pilgrims – Ignatius Loyola and Mary Ward – are skilfully woven together here to invite today’s pilgrims into their own Ignatian adventure. Gemma’s own knowledge and love of both of these wise guides shines through these pages as she offers us a map for our own journey that is deeply grounded, practical and real. An excellent and very readable companion through Lent, and far beyond.

Margaret Silf

Learning to pray drawing on contemplation is vital today to be able to discern God speaking through the details of your lives. To sustain a depth of faith in our challenging world, we need forms of prayer to maintain a rich and deeply resourcing spiritual life infused by the love of God. In this wonderful book, Sr Gemma explores and unpacks the method of prayer developed by St Ignatius in a way that makes this profound approach to prayer of the Jesuits accessible to those who want to get serious about their prayer life. I highly recommend this book if you are hungry and seeking to encounter and discover God in a deeper way.

Ian Mobsby

If you are looking for insightful and encouraging spiritual reading for Lent (or any other time), you have found your book! Grounding the spiritual in the practical, Simmonds invites us to be pilgrims in the company of Jesus, Ignatius and Mary Ward. Learning from them along the way, we discover our own path to greater faith, hope, and love.

Kevin O’Brien

If you are looking for insightful and encouraging spiritual reading for Lent (or any other time), you have found your book! Grounding the spiritual in the practical, Simmonds invites us to be pilgrims in the company of Jesus, Ignatius and Mary Ward. Learning from them along the way, we discover our own path to greater faith, hope, and love.

Kevin O’Brien

This is a popular introduction, aimed at general readers, to prayer and the spiritual life in the tradition of Ignatius Loyola.

From the Publisher

"If you are looking for insightful and encouraging spiritual reading for Lent (or any other time), you have found your book! Grounding the spiritual in the practicable, Gemma Simmonds invites us to be pilgrims in the company of Jesus, Ignatius and Mary Ward. Learning from them along the way, we discover our own path to greater faith, hope and love."

Kevin O'Brien SJ