HSE9 - The Reasons for Spiritual Desolation - The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J.

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The Reasons for Spiritual Desolation – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J.

Fr. Anthony Wieck and Kris McGregor explores St. Ignatius of Loyola’s rules for discerning spirits, which are seen as one of the saint’s greatest gifts to the Church. Fr. Wieck explains that thoughts can arise from three sources: ourselves, God and the good angels, or the evil one and his forces. The rules help us recognize these origins, allowing us to receive inspirations that lead toward God and reject those that draw us away. In the first stages of the spiritual life, Ignatius notes that the evil spirit encourages people to remain in sin by appealing to comfort, vanity, and pride, while the Holy Spirit unsettles the conscience to draw the soul back. As one grows in virtue, this dynamic reverses—the Holy Spirit consoles and strengthens, while the evil spirit creates obstacles, discouragement, and confusion.

Consolation brings inner joy, a deepening of faith, hope, and charity, and a greater desire for God. Desolation, on the other hand, feels heavy and dry, with temptations toward sadness, doubt, or giving up. St. Ignatius teaches not to make changes during desolation, but rather to resist by continuing prayer, even adding to it, and by remembering hopeful truths. God allows desolation for three reasons: to show us when we have strayed, to strengthen spiritual “muscles” through resistance, and to remind us that consolation is pure gift, not something earned. Both states, when lived faithfully, draw us deeper into freedom and love of God, helping us persevere in the daily choice to follow Christ.

Discerning Hearts Catholic Reflection Questions:

When I notice my thoughts, can I pause to ask whether they come from myself, God, or the evil one?
How have I experienced the difference between thoughts that leave me consoled versus those that leave me restless or discouraged?
Do I sometimes confuse false humility or self-criticism with authentic movements of the Holy Spirit?
How do I respond when I fall into desolation—do I give up, or do I remain faithful to prayer and trust in God’s timing?
Can I recognize times when God used dryness or struggle to strengthen my spiritual life?
Do I remember that every consolation I experience is pure gift from God, not something I can claim as my own achievement?
In my daily choices, how do I discern whether I am moving toward deeper praise, reverence, and service of God or away from Him?

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.