Out of the Darkness, Into the Light: Suffering and the Life of Ignatius

Presenter: Madeleine Lane, S.S.N.D., is director of The Family Center, a center for counseling and spirituality, located in St. Louis. A spiritual director, family therapist, guest speaker, and retreat director, she is currently adjunct faculty for Aquinas Institute of Theology and teaching for Prayer Companions and Bridges. She taught ten years in the Creighton Spirituality Program.

During the Third Week of the Exercises, we look at the depth of commitment in light of suffering, moving us to a deeper, loving relationship with God. The journey follows Jesus to the cross and the meaning of despair and loneliness as well as compassion. Looking at the life of Ignatius, one of thirteen children with many family stories, we explore an understanding of the meaning of suffering in his life. He had a passion for loving and wanting to be loved, was troubled by gambling, scruples, suicidal tendencies, and many illnesses. We’ll consider the question: If Ignatius came to you for spiritual direction today; would you believe he might need psychological help?

The Exercises are a good source for dealing with emotions and feelings that help us become aware of the movement of the Spirit in our lives, truly a grounding and source of affirmation in suffering. We will discuss the ways of suffering in our world rooted in images from the Exercises as well as the role of the women in the passion, and the powerlessness of one who suffers. We’ll also address several questions: Do men look at suffering from a different light then women? What needs to die in me in order to really live? How did the suffering in the life of Ignatius call him into a greater love relationship and companionship within his mission? Is suffering in my life an invitation to a greater sense of loving and mission?