Ignatius of Loyola: Spiritual Exercises and Selected Works (Classics of Western Spirituality)

September 27, 1990 marked the 450th anniversary of the foundation of the Society of Jesus in 1540, and the year 1991 brings the 500th anniversary of the birth of its founder, St. Ignatius of Loyola. In these circumstances the present volume will contribute to the study of Ignatius' charism and of the ministries he initiated-in Christian education, foreign missions, and other fields. It presents his four major writings: the Autobiography and Spiritual Exercises in their entirety, and his Spiritual Diary and Constitutions of the Society of Jesus in selections so chosen as to give an overview of each work. It also offers ten samples of his almost 7,000 letters. Ample explanations are given in the introductions and commentaries by way of notes. The General Introduction is an intellectual and spiritual biography that sketches the fascinating steps by which, largely through mystical favors from God, Ignatius reached his inspiring worldview, with everything in it ordered to the greater glory of God. In his Exercises we find a synthesis of his chief spiritual principles, and in his Constitutions an example of his organizational ability. The Autobiography tells of his mystical illuminations and gifts, and the Spiritual Diary lets us peer deeply into his heart in his most intimate dealings with God. His writing reveals many facets of the warm personality of this influential saint. This Volume Includes Ignatius' (1491-1556) Complete Autobiography, Complete Spiritual Exercises, Selections From The Constitution Of The Society Of Jesus And Some Of Ignatius' Nearly 7,000 Letters. General Introduction. Pt. I. Basic Orientations. The Historical Background ; An Initial Synthesis Of His Spirituality -- Pt. Ii. The Evolution Of Ignatius' Spiritual Worldview. His Intellectual And Spiritual Biography ; Effects Of His Spirituality On His Work, 1538-1556 -- Pt. Iii. Ignatius' Writings And Their Interpretation. His Chief Works : Basic Descriptions ; Interpretation Of Ignatius' Writings -- Ignatius' Writings. The Autobiography / Translated By Parmananda R. Divarkar -- The Spiritual Exercises / Translated By George E. Ganss -- The Deliberation On Poverty And Selections From The Spiritual Diary / Translated By Edward J. Malatesta And George E. Ganss -- Selections From The Constitutions Of The Society Of Jesus / Translated By George E. Ganss -- Selected Letters / Translated By Martin E. Palmer. Edited By George E. Ganss ; With The Collaboration Of Parmananda R. Divarkar, Edward J. Malatesta, And Martin E. Palmer ; Preface By John W. Padberg. Translated From The Latin. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 483-490) And Index. St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) had a dynamic spirituality which was ordered toward both personal spiritual growth and energetic apostolic endeavor.