Thoughts of St. Ignatius Loyola for Every Day of the Year ─ From the Scintillae Ignatianae

St. Ignatius of Loyola is one of the great shapers of the Catholic tradition. The Spanish soldier who turned pilgrim for Christ bequeathed not only an extraordinary institutional legacy but also a distinctive spirituality that today nourishes people looking for ways to integrate faith into life. Informing Jesuit education, ministry, and training in communities around the world, Ignatian spirituality offers a rich, practical vision of - engaged, responsible, discerning men and women striving to find God in all things - that resonates in this age of uncertainty and transition.
Drawn from the vast body of Ignatius's writings, these 365 maxims help everyone reflect on the presence of God in daily life. First compiled by the Jesuit scholar Gabriel Hevenesi in 1715 as Scintillae Ignatianae, these brief thoughts, supplications, prayers, directions, and other aphorisms were first published in an English translation in 1928 but have been unavailable in book form for many years.
Organized in a daybook of contemplation, Ignatius's words serve as personal spiritual exercises. They touch a range of topics, from affirmations of God's presence and Christ's love to practical advice for living a life of virtue and in service to others.

Born in 1491, St. Ignatius Loyola abandoned the Spanish court for a life in service to Christ. Priest, teacher, and writer, in 1540 he founded the Society of Jesus, along with St. Francis Xavier, the Blessed Peter Faber, and others, establishing Jesuit schools, churches, and communities. He died in 1556 and was canonized in 1622. Patrick J. Ryan, S.J., is Vice President for University Mission and Ministry at Fordham University.