Perseverance in Mission and Ministry from Death unto Life: The Apostolic Grace of the Third and Fourth Weeks

Presenter: Michael Cooper, S.J., professor of pastoral studies, Saint Leo University, St. Leo, Fla.

This workshop will explore the theology and spirituality of the apostolic grace of the Third Week of the Spiritual Exercises. According to Ignatius, the full Exercises, beginning with the Kingdom, are not for every body, but "for those who can help others after they themselves have been helped." In other words, the intended thrust and grace of the Second, Third, and Fourth Weeks remain apostolic, that is, concerned with joining Christ in his mission and ministry today. While recognizing that personal healing and transformation do occur during the contemplations of the Third Week, in the context of the full Exercises, "the governing grace" of the Third Week comes in the empowerment to do what Jesus did: persevere in mission and ministry from death unto life. The workshop also will consider how many individuals might have remained in ministry, priesthood, and/or religious life, if they had understood the experience of the Third Week grace in these terms.