Manresa Way

                                        First printed edition of the book of "Spiritual Exercises." 

The Spiritual Exercises…flow from a life centered on the person of Jesus whose love is enacted in his incarnation, passion, death, and resurrection. It is a love that is expressed in deeds rather than mere words, and a spirituality that finds God in all things.

                                         
The structure of the Spiritual Exercises has the purpose of leading a person to true spiritual freedom.  One grows into this freedom gradually. The goal of The Exercises is to free one from the habits and actions that keep one from having a relationship with God.  The Spiritual Exercises are to aid a person to attain the purpose for which they were created: for the knowledge, the love, and the service of God.

The Spiritual Exercises are a manual for a four week period of meditations on the life of Jesus.  It was first published in 1548. The Spiritual Exercises were the result of Ignatius’s own experience of coming to know God. The Exercises guide a pilgrim on a journey to experience their own unique, personal relationship with God. 

Having been wounded and suffering from the loss of what he thought he was supposed to be, Ignatius opened himself to how he was being affected as he read the stories of the saints and Jesus.  He journaled his experiences as he practiced different methods and forms of prayer.  He noted how his heart was moved. He was being energized by what these new experiences were offering him in comparison to his past desire for fame. He was being formed anew. He came to develop a felt knowledge of God.  He formed the experiences he had into The Spiritual Exercises.  By doing so he was able to share them with others so they, too, could come to know God and God's desire for them.

Ignatian Spirituality is a way of living in relationship with God. It focuses on the desire for a union with God, with an emphasis on love and charity, and a belief in Jesus as the Son of God. Ignatian Spirituality considers everything as an important element of life and therefore one may “find God in all things”- in nature, friends, family, charitable works, prayers, religious services, music, art, etc. It is all part of spiritual life - nothing is to be hidden or feared.

So what exactly are these exercises? The Spiritual Exercises are a four week program of prayer that embodies a ‘way’ of praying on the life of Jesus. Each part has a theme. Each Theme is delved into over a certain course of time. Traditionally, the exercises have an individual withdraw from daily life for four weeks of meditation that consists of five or six prayer periods a day. This is often referred to by the Jesuits as The 30 Day Retreat or The Long Retreat. Ignatius, however, wanted as many people as possible to experience the Exercises so he included several versions or annotations to allow for flexibility in the retreat so that it may be formatted to what best serves each person. Hence, the 19th Annotation.

The Exercises are a plan that moves one on a journey of spiritual growth.  The  four "weeks"  of themes (these are not 7 day weeks but, rather, phases of differing lengths) build upon each other.  The First Week focuses on God's love for you, gratitude for the gifts God has given you in your life, as well as your own sinfulness. Even with the realization that you are a sinner or, in other words, an imperfect human being, you are loved unconditionally by God. The Second Week is based on the scripture stories of the life of the human Jesus. By meditating and/or contemplating on the stories, you are brought into contact with Jesus in an imaginary way.  In The Third Week , the focus changes from Jesus’ ministry to his Passion.  The Fourth Week is based on scripture readings of the Resurrection and God’s desire for you. Using the themes to guide their pilgrimage, the pilgrim practices a particular style of prayer that Ignatius often recommends: using imagination as an aid to prayer as a way of picturing yourself in a specific scripture story.

Along the spiritual journey, Ignatius introduces meditations on ideas like humility, decision making, and choosing between good and evil, as well as instructing one to contemplate scripture in an imaginative way. Ignatius shares that they are to be experienced, not read.  Using one’s imagination aids your prayer experience as you picture yourself within a specific scripture story. The Exercises are not only a program of prayer but a “way” of prayer.

Experiencing the Spiritual exercises opens one to know what Ignatius referred to as a “way of proceeding” - a way to come to know and to find God in all things. This way of proceeding allows one to experience God in ordinary daily life. The Spiritual Exercises hold the understanding of the way of Ignatius: what leads to God , what creates greater freedom, and what helps one live a purposeful life.

                                                              The cave at Manresa, Spain.

- His desire was to travel to the Holy Land where he could “kiss the ground Jesus walked on.” However, he decided to journey to Manresa and spend a few days.  The days turned into a stay of almost a year. During his time at Manresa, he begged alms and refused to cut his hair or his fingernails. He sought lodging at a hospital for the poor in return for doing chores. To repent for his old life, he practiced extreme penance which included physical bodily harm and extreme fasting that left him with stomach ailments for the rest of his life.

- He spent time in a cave outside of town praying for seven or more hours a day and had many mystical experiences and underwent a profound transformation.  He experienced insights into the mystery of God. He said that God taught him like a teacher teaches a school boy.  He spent time contemplating the Gospels.  He entered into the stories and scenes where God drew him into an intimate relationship with Jesus. He began writing down his experiences of consolation and desolation as he read, meditated and contemplated the Gospels. He used his notebook for guiding others that came to speak with him about spiritual matters. The notes were expanded over time as he helped and guided others and they became known as the Spiritual Exercises. 

                                     A marker for the spot of enlightenment in Manresa, Spain.

- While at Manresa, he had his most profound illuminating vision of enlightenment at a spot overlooking the Cardoner River.  He could see that God was present in every person, place and thing at the same moment. And, that God was constantly communicating with and laboring to draw people closer to him. In Ignatian spirituality this is called, “seeing God in all things, all things in God”. 

-The Pilgrim did make it to the Holy Land in 1523 to preach and serve God but was ordered back to Europe because the church had enough problems without him trying to convert infidels.

                                         Ignatius with his classmates in Barcelona Spain.

-In 1524 he returned to Barcelona. He felt called to the priesthood so that he could continue what he referred to as the “care of souls.”  His education was deficient so at the age of 33 he went back to grammar school where he studied the basics including Latin with classmates ages 8-14. 

-He went to several universities and spent as much or more time giving the Spiritual Exercises than attending to his studies. He was questioned many times during the Spanish Inquisition for preaching as a layperson.  At one point he was beaten and jailed for 42 days.  When they could find no heresy in what he was preaching, he was ordered to stop until he had the proper education and was ordained a priest.

- In 1529 at the age of 38 he went to Paris to continue his studies at the University of Paris. At age 44 he earned his Master’s Degree.  The name on his diploma was “Ignatius.”

- While at university, he met Peter Faber and Francis Xavier.  Two men who would join the growing circle of friends that Ignatius had taken through the Spiritual Exercises. They called themselves, “Friends with the Lord.”  

Nancy remembers… In March of 2005 I was working at St Mary’s Church in Wells, Maine after having finished my theology degree and Spiritual Direction Formation at Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, MA. I had completed my own experience of the 19th Annotation of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola while in Theology School, and I knew then that, when I was given a position in a church setting, the Exercises would be an essential aspect of my ministry. At this time, I had mentioned to Maureen Fulford that I wanted to offer the Exercises but didn’t feel that I had all the necessary formats to begin offering them at St. Mary’s. Maureen asked if I would lead her through them and we could work it out together. I suggested that she find another director to take her through them and we would see how it would go. She went off to do the Exercises and I continued to pray for another collaborator to work with us. God was working on helping me and Maureen to put together the Exercises  because God brought Ellie Flavin into our lives. Ellie had moved to Maine and had presented herself to our secretary, at St Mary’s, to offer her gifts and talents to the parish. She asked who she could speak with to become involved, the secretary told her to contact me and she did. We met and at that time Ellie shared a letter of introduction from Sr. Jody Kearney with me and all I could do was cry with joy! I told Ellie that she was an answer to my prayer and explained to her all that had been happening for me and Maureen. It was Ellie’s turn to cry. We decided we would work together with Maureen and offer the Spiritual Exercises that September. We met with Ellie and we began the process of clarifying what format we would use, and that is where the Mercy Prayer Center became our “mother.” The prayer center gave us all the information, books, prayer sheets, briefing notes and supervision sheets. They encouraged us and supported us in many ways. Our first group took place in September that year. Most of the retreatants were people I was seeing in Spiritual Direction. Between Maureen, Ellie and myself we managed to lead 9 people through the Exercises that year. Not only did we have 9 people with us, but Ellie and I supervised Maureen for the next three years to have her be certified as a Prayer Guide for the 19th. Maureen, Ellie and I have been colleagues and leaders of the 19th for 4 years now and with the help of other guides have lead over 50 people through the Exercises. Each year that we have led the Exercises God has blessed us with more prayer guides and people who are interested in doing them. Two years ago we merged two large church communities into one parish--Holy Spirit--and we have taken the Exercises from our private homes into the parish. The first year of the merger Fr. Thomas Murphy invited us to hold the Exercises at St Mary’s Church and the following year we held them at St. Martha’s Church in Kennebunk. Both worship sites have embraced the Exercises and many of the parishioners have participated in them, making for a more vibrant parish community. Who knew that in four years, from three women’s lived experience of the Exercises, that 50 plus people would come to know, love and serve Jesus—only God.  I think I speak for the three of us when I say we are blessed to be called to serve in this way. Blessings, Nancy Kellar April 2009

Ellie remembers… Upon arriving in Maine in March of 2005 I sought out a church where I could be comfortable and also be a contributing member. I chose St. Mary Church in Wells. When signing up I asked the secretary if there were someone with whom I could speak to see how the gifts I brought from Rochester, NY, could be of use in my new parish. I was introduced to Nancy Kellar, the Pastoral Associate at St. Mary’s. On the day I met with Nancy I brought with me a letter of introduction from Sr. Jody Kearney, Director of the Mercy Prayer Center, in Rochester. She explained that I had been a prayer guide in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, 19th Annotation, for 25 years. When Nancy finished reading the letter, she had tears in her eyes and said that I was the answer to her prayers. When I asked how that could be since she had just met me, she explained that for two years she had been praying that God would send her a collaborator to help in putting on the Exercises at St. Mary’s. It was my turn to have tears as I realized it had been two years since my husband and I had begun to contemplate a move to Maine. Confirmation of the decision to move to Maine was revealed! I was stunned and overwhelmed with gratitude and excitement at the possibilities. Nancy and I met again in June and made preliminary plans to start the Spiritual Exercises in September. I called the Mercy Prayer Center and asked for everything they had that we might need to get started. They were thrilled to know what we were planning and sent us pages of prayer sheets, briefing notes, supervision information, and application forms. They supplied us with the calendar we could follow for the year, ordered the Fleming books, and Orientations, by Fr. John Veltrie S.J., and sent for Fr. Veltrie’s 30 volume set of tapes, “For the Journey”, as well as sample tapes of each talk. They also were our biggest cheerleaders encouraging us every step of the way and answering any questions we had which were many. I met Maureen Fulford in July (on her birthday!) and was immediately won over by her warm smile and enthusiasm. Maureen had just completed the Exercises in anticipation of sharing them with others by helping us bring them to Southern Maine. So, in the summer of 2005 we three began this wonderful journey—a new spirituality ministry was born. In September, our as yet un-named ministry started the retreat with nine directees. We met in the AM at my house and in the PM in Nancy’s. We were not sure what we were doing but we knew we could count on God and count on Him we did! And, as always, God’s generosity cannot be outdone.

The Design:

 On Friday, July 20, 2006, Ellie Flavin and I started out to Knight’s Quilt Shop to “create” the Journey of The Heart Quilt.  After a charming lunch at the Deli Café, we were off.  At Knight’s, we looked around at the fabric to see what there was.  We noticed a good display of “fabric of motion” and batik.  We spoke to their staff instructor briefly about our project, and within a few minutes, she guided us to two books of designs.  We began to turn some pages, and all of a sudden, Ellie showed me this picture of a “quilt bowl”.  We couldn’t believe it-there it was.  Ellie noticed the book sold for $30 and commented that we should have brought a camera.  My cell phone has that very ability, and from this photo, a pattern emerged into the banner.  The instructor was able to compute the dimensions and how much fabric would be needed. We first found the fabric for the pavers.  There was just enough on the bolt.  This piece made the base, and from this, the dimensions of the work took form.  We had everything picked out in twenty minutes, and I briefly sketched the dimensions of the frame and borders.  We followed this up with one shopping trip for the florals.  It took three weeks for the quilt to be completed. Notice the hand applique’ and the meandering (stippling) quilt stitch.  The quilt is held up by twelve tabs securely.  Charline Edmunds

 Not all paths on an illuminated journey lead to the heart.  Even though the path is great, there could be a “prickly bush” to pass by.  Is there a wall that we must climb to reach?  Sometimes it can be that much work.  The “middle” path doesn’t always lead to where we want to go. Notice the five pavers across…you can miss everything if you’re in the middle.  The journey of life is not a neutral zone. We are in and out …. never always there.  Sometimes we come so close, and yet we need to notice to be aware. Other times, a leap of faith will lead to the path to the heart. Just do it and trust!  Let God! Stay with the course; stay with Jesus.  Life can be mazes …notice the meandering quilting stitch to remind us.  In order to join God’s gathering, we must “enter through the narrow gate”, that is, we must say, “yes” to the relationship that Christ wants to have with us.  When I looked at the center of the quilt, I thought of how God shows us the path of life and the fullness of joy in His Presence.   The journey can be bright and beautiful. A pure heart matches God’s heart.  In John 5:23, we see that Jesus matched His heart with the Father’s heart. A pure heart is undivided.  God wants our whole heart committed to Him: “To love Him with all our heart, with all of our understanding, all our strength, to love our neighbor as ourselves.  A pure heart is a fresh heart.” (Ps 51:10) Charlene Edmunds August 12, 2006