Ignatian Spirituality

6-Week Course

Overview

featuring text by David L. Fleming, SJ, videos by Barton T. Geger, SJ, and prayer text by Kevin O’Brien, SJ.

This course provides a basic overview of Ignatian spirituality. Beginning with the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola, this course explores the pillars of Ignatian spirituality including the Spiritual Exercises, prayer and contemplation, the Examen, and discernment. To complement the informative text and videos, online resources are provided for prayer experiences rooted in Ignatian spirituality.

David L. Fleming, SJ. What Is Ignatian Spirituality? Loyola Press, 2008. (a PDF version of the text is available online: Part 1 and Part 2)

Topics

• Introductory Week
• Week 1: Who is St. Ignatius?
• Week 2: Prayer, Contemplation, and the Examen
• Week 3: The Spiritual Exercises: Structure, Meaning, and Theology
• Week 4: Discernment of Spirits
• Week 5: Discernment of God’s Will

Special Features

This course includes:

• Video clips;
• Text transcripts of each featured video;
• Weekly questions for reflection and discussion;
• A weekly introduction and study guide; and
• A regularly updated Resources page to use for further study.

All STM Online: Crossroads courses include these features

• Participants have access 24 hours/7 days a week to the course's password-protected website.
• Each participant belongs to a small Community for Conversation and faith sharing guided by a facilitator.
• The course site is usually available to participants at least three months after the course has ended.
• An orientation in how to navigate the web site is always available.
• Technical assistance is easy to contact and prompt in returning a message.
• A Certificate of Active Participation is awarded to those who post at least three messages of substance for each week of content.

Additional Materials Needed

David L. Fleming, S.J. What Is Ignatian Spirituality? Loyola Press, 2008.

Time Commitment

A participant can expect to spend an average of approximately 3-4 hours each week. This commitment includes both the assigned reading and interaction online.

Content Scholars

• David L. Fleming, S.J. (text) was the editor of the journal Review for Religious as well as author of several books on Ignatian spirituality.
• Barton T. Geger, S.J. (video) is assistant professor of the practice at the School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College, Research Scholar at the Institute of Advanced Jesuit Studies, and General Editor of Studies in the Spirituality of Jesuits

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