Ignatian Discernment

Who is St. Ignatius of Loyola?
Ignatius of Loyola, born in 1491 in the Basque region of Spain, was the founder of the Jesuits. Originally a soldier, he experienced a profound spiritual conversion after being wounded in battle. During his recovery, he dedicated himself to deepening his faith through prayer, reflection, and studying the lives of saints.
In 1540, he established the Jesuit order, which quickly became a leading force in the Counter-Reformation and education worldwide. Ignatius of Loyola was canonized as a saint in 1622, and He is best known work, the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, is widely used today among lay and ordained people of all faiths as a method of transformation.
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Ignatian principles encourage a life of service, reflection, and a commitment to justice and education.
What is Ignatian Discernment?
Discernment is derived from the Latin root, discernere which means “to sift or distinguish.”
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A process: a practical and experiential process of giving conscious attention to our thoughts and feelings in relation to particular choices we are making.
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A skill and practice: I do discernment'
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A way of being: I am discerning
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A path to decision making
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Personal and communal
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Attunement to external realities and interior reactions/movements
