Spiritual Exercises

At the latter place he spent his time in studying the works of Scotus, Albertus, Alcuin, and the master of the sentences.

he was diligent also in giving these spiritual exercises and explaining the christian doctrine by which he gave great glory to god as very many were thereby led to a knowledge and taste of spiritual things Many, however, fell victims to various temptations, an example of which is to be seen in one who was unable to scourge himself because, as he fancied, his hand was held by some invisible agent.

Because of such affairs, and especially by reason of the great crowd of men coming to him when he explained the Christian doctrine, various rumors began to spread among the people.

when he first came to alcala a friendship sprang up between him and one didacus guia who lived with his brother a painter through that friendship ignatius was abundantly supplied with all that was necessary hence he would bestow upon the poor the alms that he himself obtained and besides three other pilgrims stayed with him One day Ignatius went to Didacus to ask for alms in order to assist some poor people.

They were not put in with the common criminals, but their place of confinement was nevertheless very repulsive.

In the center of the cell there was a pillar, to which was attached a chain but a few feet in length, and so riveted to the prisoners that when either moved the other was obliged to follow him.

they passed that night without any sleep on the following day however the report spread that they were prisoners the people then hastened to supply them with all they needed ignatius as may readily be supposed lost no opportunity of speaking upon spiritual things with those who came to see them were each separately examined by a friar to whom ignatius delivered all his writings among these were his spiritual exercises that it might be seen whether or not they contained any false doctrine when asked about his other companions he told who and where they were they were arrested also and confined in separate apartments from that in which ignatius was placed although help was offered on this occasion he declined to accept it after a few days he was called into the presence of the judges and professors who made him answer many questions not only on his spiritual exercises but even on articles of faith as for example the trinity and the blessed sacrament requiring him to explain these mysteries so clear and exact was his explanation that his examiners could not find the least flaw in his doctrine he was equally correct in the answer to the friar who proposed a difficulty in canon law in every case he said that he did not know the decision of the professors in order to speak on the first commandment he gave so full and exhaustive an explanation as to leave to his hearers no further chance of questioning him Although he had not completed his studies, he frequently showed the difference between a mortal and a venial sin of thought.

While speaking about his exercises, he was closely questioned.

He was recording what he saw in himself and what he saw in others when they came to him for advice.

What worked? What drew a soul toward God and what drew it away? How could someone examine the day to find the movements of grace? These notes became, over time, the book called The Spiritual Exercises.

the manual of prayer that would shape so many saints.

Those who made them would be led through silent weeks to meet Christ and choose a life.

What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? Slowly, the question did its work.

Xavier gave in.

He made the spiritual exercises under Ignatius' guidance, and the proud young scholar was changed.

Others joined them, Diego Lainez and Alfonso Salmorón of Spain, Nicolas Bobadilla and Simón Rodríguez of Portugal.