The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola

II. How the points should be given by the

That special reverence is to be used in

the exercise of the affections, and in

the colloquies

Of shortening or lengthening the several
Weeks according to circumstances

ib.

V. How the exercitant ought to enter upon

the Exercises

VI. How the director ought to deal with the
exercitant when he experiences no
interior movements in his soul

VII. What he should do if the exercitant

suffers from desolation or temptation

VIII. Of explaining the Rules for the discern-

ment of spirits

IX. When the Rules for the First Week

ib.

12

13

X. When the Rules for the Second Week

should be explained

ib.

XI. That the exercitant ought to attend only
to the present Exercise, without knowing
anything of what is to follow

XII. That a whole hour is to be spent in each

14

ib.

ANNOT.

XIII. In times of desolation and temptation the

hour should be prolonged

XIV. In times of consolation and fervour no
vow or promise is to be made

XV. The director must not urge the exercitant

to embrace poverty, or any other state

of life

XVI. How the exercitant is to be dealt with

when he is under the influence of any

ill-regulated or inordinate affection

XVIII.

XVII. The director should be informed by the
exercitant of the various internal trials
and movements he experiences

How the Exercises are to be adapted to

different classes of persons: (1) to the

ignorant and uneducated; (2) to those

of small capacity, or weak health

XIX. How they should be given to those who

are occupied in public affairs, whether

they be learned, or merely persons of

good ability

XX. How they should be given to those who
are free from all hindrances, and wish
to profit by the Exercises to the utmost;
and the advantages of a retreat in
solitude

ADMONITION. That any doubtful propositions should have the
best possible construction put upon them

FIRST WEEK

PRINCIPLE AND FOUNDATION

[EXPLANATION OF THE FOUNDATION] .

THE PARTICULAR EXAMINATION to be made daily; it includes

three times, and two examinations of oneself

ib.

ib.

I. Early morning: resolution of amendment
II. After the midday meal: first examination, with
act of contrition, and renewed purpose of
amendment.

ib.

III. After supper: second examination in the same
manner as above

ib.

FOUR ADDITIONS, in order more quickly to eradicate the said

particular sin or defect

I. To make an act of contrition immediately after

each fall

II. To see whether there has been any improvement

from the first examination to the second

III. To see whether there has been any improvement

from one day to another

IV. To see whether there has been any improvement

from one week to another

OBSERVATION, Concerning the lines of the diagram upon which
the faults should be marked

THE GENERAL EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE, in order to purify

oneself and make a better confession

METHOD of making the general examination; containing five

points

I. To give thanks for benefits received.

II. To ask for grace to know our sins and to root them

out

III. To demand of the soul an account hour by hour, or

period by period.

IV. To ask pardon

V. To purpose amendment

GENERAL CONFESSION AND COMMUNION

Three advantages of a good general confession

When the general confession should be made

THE FIRST EXERCISE upon the first, the second, and the third

sins

I. How the preparatory prayer is to be made

II. How the first prelude is to be made

III. How the second

IV. The preparatory prayer and the preludes are to be

THE THIRD EXERCISE. Repetition of the first, and second

Exercises

64

How the repetition is to be made

ib.

The threefold colloquy.

ib.

THE FOURTH EXERCISE is made by resuming the third

THE FIFTH EXERCISE. On hell, by means of the application
of the senses
OBSERVATION, Concerning the arrangement of hours, and the
number of Exercises to be made each day

TEN ADDITIONS, for the better and more fruitful making of the
Exercises