overview of the Ignatian Spirituality and its relation to the Dominican spirituality

 By Felix Kilonzo
Imagine being able to discern to God’s will in every moment, to find peace in the midst if turmoil, and to cultivate a sense of spiritual freedom. Ignatian spirituality offers a rich and practical path for the Catholics to deepen their faith and live out their baptismal call. 

Ignatian spirituality is rooted in the spiritual experiences and writings of st. Ignatius of Loyola,SJ the founder of the society of Jesus, popularly known as the Jesuits. The aspects of the ignatian spirituality include; personal relationship with God; Spiritual exercises of prayer and discernment,Finding God in all things and finally Interior freedom.
The ignatian spirituality is known for its practical and flexible approach to spiritual growth making it accessible to people in the christedom.

Being practical christian is a key element in finding the truth, like any other teaching in the catholic Church, the ignatian spirituality is supported by the scripture and often invites those who follow it to put themselves in the shoes of the biblical scenes. This approach of imaginative prayer is inspired by Jesus’ own use of parables and storytelling to convey spiritual truths.

Imagine yourself, for example, as the good Samaritan in the biblical analogy of the good Samaritan, or better the Samaritan woman at the well and there comes Jesus who himself is a Jew. Imagine yourself as one of the people listening to Jesus as he delivered the talk about him being the bread of life as it is in John Chapter six. 

Outside Jesus ministry, imagine yourself as Dorcas and how you encounter the challenges that come with being a key person in the society and being depended on. 

Through the above, ignatian Spirituality would emphasize on listening to God’s voice, as it is out stated in the scripture. In 1 Samuel 3:9-10, Samuel responds to God’s Call, “speak, Lord, For your servant is listening.” when you listen to the God’s voice you will end up seeking his Presence in all aspects of life. In Jeremiah 29:13, the lord says, “you will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart”

In prayer and contemplation for the biblical approach, the Ignatian Spirituality can be best understood by its imaginative prayer model and several passages in the Bible can help one to practically and flexibly discern the Lord’s Purpose in their lives. 

If salvation is real it must have had its origin , we have to understand why we were being saved and what was the cost of the salvation. Ignatian Spirituality, can put the nature of our lord Jesus to be fully man and also fully God, as it is in the teachings of the Universal Catholic church and supported by various councils of important the council of Nicaea, 325 and successive councils that came after.

Ignatian spirituality is an important aspect in counter reformation in the 16th century, as spiritual exercises were developed by its founder, st. Ignatius of Loyola, SJ. These exercises were a guide for spiritual retreats and personal reflections. In them, the christian is invited to find God in all things, discernment and contemplation.

Coincidentally, the Society of Jesus [Jesuit] was founded In 1540, with a focus on Education, Missionary work, and spiritual Formation. To date, the Jesuit are regarded to have done a lot in countering the Protestantism in the world as it its root in ignatian spirituality has shaped christian thought beyond the Jesuit Order and catholic faith.

The Order of st. Dominic De Guzman, {Order of Preachers] share some of the similarities despite having some key distinct differences in their beliefs. Both the Dominican and ignatian spirituality emphasize the importance of contemplation and action. In the Dominican Order, we focus on contemplation to deepen our understanding of God’s truth, which we then share with others through preaching and teaching. The same is applied differently in the Ignatian spirituality where the individuals are encouraged to discern God’s will in their daily lives.

Both Dominican and ignatian spirituality have a strong emphasis on seeking truth and understanding Gods will. We Dominicans are known for our love of learning and intellectual pursuits, while the ignatians seek to discern God’s will through prayer and reflection.

Although there is a thin line between the Dominican and Ignatian Spirituality, there are three distinct differences of both spiritualities as to the focus, approach and the application of spiritual exercises. The focus of the Dominican spirituality is preaching and teaching with an emphasis on sharing fruits of contemplation with others. For the ignatian spirituality, individual discernment and finding God in all things is key aspect.

The Dominicans tend to approach spirituality in a more structured and traditional lens that is to say emphasis is in doctrine and theology. For the ignatians, they value tradition more importantly on personal experience and individual discernment. For spiritual exercises, ignatians focus on spiritual retreats and discernment as the Dominicans valuing prayer and contemplation.

Ad majorem Dei Gloriam[AMDG] is a Latin phrase meaning, ‘for the Greater Glory of God’. it is a core principle of the ignatian Spirituality. It emphasizes that all actions and decisions should be guided by a desire to bring glory to God. It is a way of life for those who live according to the ignatian spirituality.

In conclusion, ignatian spirituality offers a rich and practical path for the Catholics to deepen their faith and live out their baptismal call. By embracing practices of finding God in all things and discernment presents those surrounded by the heretic preachers of our departed brethren, to be practical in the words and actions. In doing so, individual can cultivate a deeper sense of spiritual growth,make more informed decisions, and live with greater confidence and purpose.

As we seek to follow God’s will and respond to his love, may we find guidance and wisdom in the principles and practices of the ignatian spirituality. I take this opportunity to wish our brothers and sisters of the society of Jesus, Jesuits, a happy feast day of their Founder St. Ignatius of Loyola,SJ.

Felix Kilonzo, devout Catholic writer

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