First published June 2012, notwithstanding the Forward.
Forward
Ignatius of Loyola, canonized into sainthood in the 17th century, founded the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) in the preceding century. The Jesuits are a military order within the Catholic Church, and in fact the Church's first Jesuit Pope was elected last year. The Jesuits started out as a counteraction to the Reformation, a movement which tore the Church in half, birthing the Protestant sects, most notably Anglican in England and Lutheran in Germany.
St. Ignatius was a soldier for the Spanish army. After being severely wounded in battle, he had a spiritual conversion whilst in recovery. From there it is said that Ignatius went from being a soldier to a priest. While this is not actually true, in that he became the commanding officer in the Order (the "Superior General"), the same principle of a spiritual remedy for a hopeless physical condition is the foundation of Alcoholic's Anonymous. Ignatius also had an affinity toward St. Francis of Assisi, who authored a prayer that we read in our Twelve Step literature. The first Jesuit Pope also took the name of Francis of Assisi, and not only is Pope Francis the first Jesuit Pope, he is also Francis, the first.
Introduction
My own points are in brackets, noting the parallels of how the book that St. Ignatius wrote,The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, seems to have influenced, possibly only through divine archetypology, the Twelve Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous. Part I is is a copy and paste from Wikipedia, that shows the birth of a sponsorship, linking the site at the end of the section. Part II is a historical account taken from the "Chronology of the Life of St. Ignatius of Loyola" in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, also linked at the end of the section, which describes the foundation of a program that aids in recovery of addiction. A list of the Twelve Steps is linked at the bottom of this article. Part III is a comparison of The Society of Jesus to the Twelve Step Program.
Ignatius of Loyola, canonized into sainthood in the 17th century, founded the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) in the preceding century. The Jesuits are a military order within the Catholic Church, and in fact the Church's first Jesuit Pope was elected last year. The Jesuits started out as a counteraction to the Reformation, a movement which tore the Church in half, birthing the Protestant sects, most notably Anglican in England and Lutheran in Germany.
St. Ignatius was a soldier for the Spanish army. After being severely wounded in battle, he had a spiritual conversion whilst in recovery. From there it is said that Ignatius went from being a soldier to a priest. While this is not actually true, in that he became the commanding officer in the Order (the "Superior General"), the same principle of a spiritual remedy for a hopeless physical condition is the foundation of Alcoholic's Anonymous. Ignatius also had an affinity toward St. Francis of Assisi, who authored a prayer that we read in our Twelve Step literature. The first Jesuit Pope also took the name of Francis of Assisi, and not only is Pope Francis the first Jesuit Pope, he is also Francis, the first.
Introduction
My own points are in brackets, noting the parallels of how the book that St. Ignatius wrote,The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, seems to have influenced, possibly only through divine archetypology, the Twelve Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous. Part I is is a copy and paste from Wikipedia, that shows the birth of a sponsorship, linking the site at the end of the section. Part II is a historical account taken from the "Chronology of the Life of St. Ignatius of Loyola" in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, also linked at the end of the section, which describes the foundation of a program that aids in recovery of addiction. A list of the Twelve Steps is linked at the bottom of this article. Part III is a comparison of The Society of Jesus to the Twelve Step Program.
Part I
"For St. Ignatius of Loyola, the discernment of spirits is part of everyone's spiritual journey.
No one who is trying to make spiritual progress should attempt to do so alone - a spiritual director is required. (A sponsor).
A director assists a Christian in examining the motives, desires, consolations, and desolations in one's life. (Step Four - Take a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves).
Objectively, one can know what is right from looking at the Ten Commandments and the Seven Deadly Sins (Step Six - We ask God to remove our character defects.) in a thorough examination of conscience. (Step Ten - "We continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear").
A Christian should, according to St. Ignatius, share everything with a director who can see things objectively, without being swayed by the emotions or passion. (Step Five - "Admit to ourselves, to another human being [mostly the sponsor, but some choose their doctor or pastor], and to God, the exact nature of our wrongs"). Discerning whether the good spirit - the influence of God, the Church, one's soul - or the bad spirit - the influence of Satan, the world, the flesh - is at work requires calm, rational reflection. The good spirit brings us to peaceful, joyful decisions. The bad spirit often brings us to make quick, emotional, conflicted decisions. A spiritual director can assist both by personal experience, listening with care, and giving an objective analysis. (What a sponsor does)"
Discernment
Part II
Taken from the chronology in his exercise book.
In 1526, Ignatius' exercise book is completed. With a few companions (fellowship), he teaches others how to find peace of soul. He leads them though an examination of consciousness based on the Ten Commandments (Step s Six and Ten), followed by a fervent Our Father (How we end every meeting, usually holding hands). The exercise ends with a few moments of conversation with God to ask for help to do better in the future. (The fellowship begins each meeting with a moment of silence, followed by the Serenity Prayer, "God, grant me the serenity, to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.")
PART III
Pope Paul III gives Ignatius formal approval of his new order, through his papal bull, Regimini Militantis Ecclesiae, which is a group of Christians who struggle against sin, the devil, and the forces of darkness*, alongside "Church Suffering", which is the state of Purgatory: a place of cleansing in preparation for unification with God. (The Twelve Steps are an act of purifying, after a career of corruption while drinking).
Note: Alcoholics Anonymous started off as a religious Christian fellowship, where the Bible was the literature that was used.
Note: Alcoholics Anonymous started off as a religious Christian fellowship, where the Bible was the literature that was used.
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