Characteristics of Ignatian Spirituality

1. Ignatius presupposes that in prayer God will communicate directly with the person in His own way. Some discipline is required. The spiritual director is a companion trying not to get in the way of the Holy Spirit.

2. Ignatius stresses the transcendent in prayer and the spiritual life: a need for a deep reverence for God, openness to the sense of mystery and an unlimited openness to the Spirit of God.

3. Ignatius likewise stresses strongly the incarnational and Christological aspects of prayer and spirituality. Christ draws us into companionship with Him. Even the methods of prayer are incarnational, engaging the mind, heart, imagination, and body.

4. Ignatian spirituality is centered on Christ, and through Christ the person comes to a new awareness of self and of the world. The humanity of Christ gives meaning to all that is human.

5. Ignatius stresses the importance of human freedom: Jesus is seen as the totally free person, thus the person grows in knowing that fulfillment by seeking to live the will of the Father.

6. Ignatian spirituality is extremely flexible; it adapts to individual temperaments and needs.

7. Ignatian spirituality is apostolic with a strong element of service and action.

8. Ignatian spirituality centers on the Gospels as the material for prayer and reflection. Ignatius tries to give a person a method/way of proceeding in the spiritual life. He gives both a school of prayer and a method of decision making.