Joy and Sadness in Spiritual Life According to St. Ignatius of Loyola. A Hermeneutic Study

Part I

Keywords: discernment of spirits, emotionality, spiritual joy – consolation, spiritual sadness – desolation, spiritual life

Abstract

The goal of this study is an interpretative attempt at human emotionality, and to be more specific, its emotional form of expression in various experiences of joy and sadness, in the light of the principles underlying one of the schools of Christian spirituality, i.e. the one proposed by Igna tius of Loyola (1491-1556). According to this movement of spiritual life, which draws on the centuriesold biblical experience and Christian conception of the emotional dimension of our lives, and which also enriches it with experiences and reflections of Ignatius himself, our emotionality – not infrequently experienced as a peculiar and often incomprehensible “babble” – may in fact be construed as equally emotional and lucid “speech.” Such “speech” becomes comprehensible the moment we are able to properly “read,” that is recognize and understand the emotional experiences that we are exposed to in this sphere.

Author Biography

Tomasz Homa, Jesuit University Ignatianum in Krakow

Jesuit, philosopher, professor at the Jesuit University Ignatianum in Krakow. In his research he deals with issues concerning social and political philosophy, existentialism, ethics and culture. Author of monographs on social and political philosophy: W drodze do podmiotowości społeczeństwa (Kraków 2002), Obywatelskość (Kraków 2013), Wspólnotowość (Kraków 2017) and coauthor of Problemy współczesności a chrześcijanie. Zagadnienia etyczne i społeczne do dyskusji dla młodzieży i wychowawców (Kraków–Warszawa 2004).

References

Bednarz M., Bober A., Skórka R., Ignacy Loyola. Pisma wybrane. Komentarze II, Wydawnictwo Apostolstwa Modlitwy, Kraków 1968.

Loyola I., Ćwiczenia duchowne, Wydawnictwo WAM, Kraków 2002.

Loyola I., Opowieść Pielgrzyma. Autobiografia, Wydawnictwo WAM, Kraków 2018.

Published
2019-10-01
How to Cite
[1]
Homa, T. 2019. Joy and Sadness in Spiritual Life According to St. Ignatius of Loyola. A Hermeneutic Study: Part I. Perspectives on Culture. 26, 3 (Oct. 2019), 87-100. DOI:https://doi.org/10.35765/pk.2019.2603.08.
Section
European Spiritual Heritage