HSE3 - The Charism and Gift of St. Ignatius - The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J.

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The Gift of Charism – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J.

Fr. Anthony Wieck begins by situating St. Ignatius’ spiritual exercises in the context of Ignatius’ life and mystical experiences, noting that knowing his background helps one understand the gifts God entrusted to him for the whole Church. He recounts Pope Benedict’s view that certain charisms, such as Ignatius’, are so close to the heart of the Church they will endure. While the classic 30-day retreat is ideal, Fr. Wieck explains that Ignatian principles can still deeply shape one’s prayer life without a formal retreat. He likens Ignatius’ insights to removing “spiritual cataracts,” granting clarity in perceiving God’s work. Drawing on Fr. Hugo Rahner’s image of a triptych, he describes the first panel as “God above”—the ever-greater Trinity—highlighting Ignatius’ profound devotion to each divine person and his transformative Cardoner River experience, which gave him a symphonic vision of truth and instilled reverential awe and loving humility toward God.

The second panel centers on Christ, the God-man—Ignatius’ “Creator and Lord”—who perfectly manifests the fullness of God and mediates our relationship with the Father. Fr. Wieck emphasizes the importance of encountering Jesus in Scripture through Ignatius’ meditations and contemplations, entering into biblical scenes to understand what Jesus and those around Him experienced, rather than starting with self-reflection. This method personalizes prayer through “colloquies,” intimate dialogues with Christ or the saints. He notes that everything Jesus does reveals the Trinity, inviting us into the divine exchange of self-giving love. Such prayer fosters trust in God’s will, freeing us from our “puny grasp” on life and leading to deeper joy and flourishing beyond what our own plans could achieve.

Discerning Hearts Catholic Reflection Questions:

How can learning about St. Ignatius’ life and mystical experiences help you better receive the gifts God has given through his spirituality?
In what ways might you bring elements of the Spiritual Exercises into your daily prayer, even without a formal retreat?
How do you personally experience “reverential awe” before the ever-greater God in your prayer life?
When was the last time you prayed distinctly to each Person of the Trinity, and what happened in your relationship with God as a result?
How does reflecting on the Cardoner River experience inspire you to seek deeper clarity in discerning God’s truth?
What steps can you take to grow in loving humility, recognizing that you are not God yet are deeply loved by Him?
How might entering into a Gospel scene as if you were there change the way you relate to Jesus?
What is one area of your life where you need to release your “puny grasp” and trust the Father’s will more fully?
How can you practice receiving yourself and others as a gift, in imitation of the Trinitarian self-giving love?
What might God be inviting you to see or do differently when you view all of Jesus’ actions as revelations of the Trinity?

Fr. Anthony Wieck is a Jesuit priest of the Central & Southern province. Sixth of nine children, raised on a farm in Oregon, Fr. Anthony began religious life in 1994, spending his first five years of formation in Rome, Italy, studying at the Casa Balthasar and the Gregorian. The former was under the watchful patronage of Pope Benedict XVI (then-Card. Joseph Ratzinger). Fr. Anthony currently acts as retreat master at White House Jesuit Retreat in St. Louis, Missouri. He also offers spiritual direction at the St. Louis diocesan seminary for 25 future priests there.