- Discernment & Conversion simultaneously, trinitarian and Christocentric spirituality. From Ignatius’Autobiography & his other work Spiritual Diary we find dramatic mystical experiences locutions from the father and Christ, including his developing mystical ability to discern spirits. Ignatius never sought mysticism for its own sake but mainly for its ability to teach and confirm God’s will[1] (Brother Lawrence, de Caussade)
- Who is Fr. Gallagher?
Timothy M. Gallagher was ordained to the priesthood in 1979 as a member of the Congregation of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary.
In 1983, he obtained his doctorate from The Pontifical Gregorian University, and became a spiritual director and retreat leader.
He has taught at St. John’s Seminary, Brighton, and Our Lady of Grace Seminary Residence, Boston, both in Massachusetts.
In 2015, Father Gallagher accepted the St. Ignatius Chair for Spiritual Formation at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. He has written over twenty books on spiritual themes, published articles in Catholic periodicals, appears frequently on Catholic television, and records many podcasts, radio interviews, series on YouTube, and virtual events used throughout the English-speaking Catholic world. https://www.frtimothygallagher.org
Catholic Podcasts dedicated to those on the spiritual journey. https://www.discerninghearts.com/catholic-podcasts/fr-timothy-gallagher-discernment-of-spirits/
- Intended audience: retreat directors, retreatants, students of spiritual theology, others interested in deepening their spiritual lives. Harvey Egan SJ
Many people led astray inappropriate spirituality. Easy to go astray. Divine Will in our life and interactions of principalities and powers wage a battle over each soul. Angels’ superior intellect. Appeal to our guardian angel and not be easily swayed by the world.
- Overview of the book: The method of presenting these rules is based on two convictions. The first is that the most effective way to convey the full teaching of these rules is to examine attentively what Ignatius actually says in them: to explore the rules phrase by phrase, at times word by word, just as he wrote them (TA) . This is all the more necessary since Ignatius’ style is hard, complicated, and difficult.
The second conviction is that since these rules are born of experience, they are best explained by constant references to experience[2] (realistic epistemology one of our Guide posts, sound reasoning, Aristotelian)
Ignatius composed these rules for those who guide others in the Spiritual Exercises, a time of prayer and of seeking God’s will. He presumes that these guides will know the rules well and will explain them to the retreatants.[3]
Rules studied over 30 day of time, constant immersion, intense directed approach engage with things Christological.
Eastern mysticism tends to speak of void, nothingness. Christian mysticism relationship with someone. Rules know ourselves so we can purge hindrance with this relationship, motivate strengths directed towards the end.
Not wordy packed with meaning. Rules given to Ignatius from our Lady, completely written from Blessed Mother how to avoid difficulties and open to a life of grace.
[1] Gallagher xv
[2] Gallagher 4
[3] Gallagher 5