Living with God in our culture : a manual for directors facilitating an Ignatian group retreat

Abstract

<p><i>Living with God in Our Culture: A Manual for Directors Facilitating an lgnatian Group Retreat</i> is a practical and creative guide to directing an eight day, values clarifying retreat based on the <cite>Spiritual Exercises</cite> of St. Ignatius of Loyola.</p><p>The manual succinctly illustrates the interplay of values, culture, and spirituality for contemporary Americans using clear, pointed examples. This blend grounds the author' s basic assumption : values determine what people notice and influence their spirituality.</p><p>The principles of Ignatian spirituality-awareness, intelligence, reasonableness, responsibility, and love-as postulated by Bernard Lonergan, S.J., and five basic Lucan values-dependence on God, compassion , inclusiveness, right use of possessions and nonviolence-are highlighted in the manuscript and provide a manageble retreat framework for both director and retreatants.</p><p>The manual includes prayer exercises, guidelines for the discernment of spirits from a cultural context, practical suggestions for preparing and directing the retreat, and examples from the experience of retreatants.</p>