Mary’s School of Sanctity
Lesson #33 The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius –—ST. IGNATIUS’S ADDITIONAL MEDITATION POINTS ON THE LIFE OF OUR LORD
This lesson might be viewed as a kind of appendix.
LIST OF ALL THE IGNATIAN POINTS FOR THE MYSTERIES OF THE LIFE OF OUR LORD
THE ANNUNCIATION OF OUR LADY (Luke 1:26-38)
First Point – The Angel, St. Gabriel, greeted Our Lady and announced to her the conception of Christ Our Lord. And when the Angel had come to her, he said: “Hail, full of grace…Thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son.”
Second Point— The Angel confirms what he had said to Our Lady by announcing the conception of St. John the Baptist, saying to her: “And behold, Elizabeth thy kinswoman also has conceived a son in her old age.”
Third Point—Out Lady replied to the Angel: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word.”
THE VISITATION OF OUR LADY TO ELIZABETH
(Luke 1: 39-56)
First Point—When Our Lady visited St. Elizabeth, St. John the Baptist, in his mother’s womb, felt the visitation made by Our Lady. When Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe in her womb leapt. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost, and cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb!”
Second Point— Our Lady chants the canticle, saying: “My soul magnifies the Lord.”
Third Point— And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her own house.
THE BIRTH OF CHRIST OUR LORD
(Luke 2: 1-14)
First Point—Our Lady and her spouse, St. Joseph, go from Nazareth to Bethlehem. And Joseph also went from Galilee to Bethlehem, in obedience to Caesar, with Mary his espoused wife who was with child.
Second Point—And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger.
Third Point—And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host prainsing God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest.”
THE SHEPHERDS
(Luke 2: 8-20)
First Point—The birth of Christ Our Lord is made known to the shepherds by an angel: “I bring you god news of great joy, for today a Savior has been born to you.”
Second Point—The shepherds go to Bethlehem. So they went with haste, and they found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger.
Third Point—And the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God.
THE CIRCUMCISION
(Luke 2: 21)
First Point—They circumcise the Child Jesus.
Second Point—His name was called Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Third Point— They return the Child to His Mother, who felt compassion at the blood shed by her Son.
THE THREE MAGI KINGS
(Matt. 2: 1-12)
First Point—The three Magi Kings, guided by the star, came to adore Jesus, saying: “We have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
Second Point—They adored Him and offered Him gifts. And falling down they worshipped Him, and offered Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Third Point—And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by another way.
THE PURIFICATION OF OUR LADY AND THE PRESENTATION OF THE CHILD JESUS
(Luke 2: 22-39)
First Point—They take the Child Jesus to the Temple to be presented to the Lord as the firstborn, and they offer for Him a pair of turtle doves and two young pigeons.
Second Point—Simeon, coming into the Temple, also received Him into his arms, saying: “Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word, in peace.”
Third Point—Anna, coming up at that very hour, began to give praise to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT
(Matt. 2: 13-15)
First Point—Herod wanted to kill the Child Jesus, and so he slew the Innocents. Before their slaughter an angel warned Joseph to fly into Egypt: “Arise and take the child and his mother and flee into Egypt.”
Second Point—He set out for Egypt. So he arose, and took the child and his mother by night, and withdrew into Egypt.
Third Point— There he remained until the death of Herod.
THE RETURN FROM EGYPT
(Matt. 2:19-23)
First Point— The angel admonishes Joseph t return to Israel: “Arise, and take the child and his mother and go into the land of Israel.”
Second Point—So he arose…and went into the land of Israel.
Third Point—Since Archelaus, the son of Herod, ruled in Judea, he withdrew to Nazareth.
JESUS COMES TO THE TEMPLE AT THE AGE OF TWELVE
(Luke 2:41-50)
First Point—When Christ Our Lord was twelve years old, He went up from Nazareth to Jerusalem.
Second Point—Christ Our Lord remained in Jerusalem and His parents did not know it.
Third Point—After three days had passed, they found Him in the Temple, seated in the midst of the doctors and disputing with them. When His parents asked where had he been, He replied, “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”
THE LIFE OF OUR FROM THE AGE OF TWELVE TO THE AGE OF THIRTY
(Luke 2: 51-52)
First Point—He was obedient to His parents.
Second Point—Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and grace.
Third Point—He seems to have practiced the trade of a carpenter, as St. Mark seems to indicate in Chapter VI: “Is not this the carpenter?”
THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST
(Matt. 3: 13-17)
First Point—After He took leave of His Blessed Mother, Christ Our Lord, went from Nazareth to the River Jordan where St. John the Baptist was.
Second Point—St. John baptized Christ Our Lord. When he wanted to excuse himself, considering that he was unworthy to baptize Him, Christ said to him: “Let it be so now, for so it becomes us to fulfill all justice.”
Third Point—The Holy Ghost descended upon Him, and the voice of the Father testified from Heaven: “This is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased.”
THE TEMPTATION OF CHRIST
(Luke 4: 1-13; Matt. 4:1-11)
First Point—After Jesus was baptized, He went to the desert where he fasted for forty days and nights.
Second Point—He was tempted by the enemy three times. And the tempter came and said to Him, “If thou art the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread….Throw thyself down, …All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.”
Third Point—Angels came and ministered to Him.
THE VOCATION OF THE APOSTLES
First Point—It appears that St. Peter and St. Andrew were called three times. They were first called to some knowledge, as is shown in the first chapter of St. John [35-42]. They were called a second time to follow Christ in some way, with the intention of returning to the possessions which they had left, as St. Luke relates in Chapter 5: 10-11. The third time they were called to follow Christ Our Lord forever, in St. Matthew 4: 18-22 and St. Mark, 1:16-18.
Second Point—He called Philip, as described in the first chapter of St. John [43], and Matthew, as Matthew himself relates in Chapter 9:9.
Third Point— He called the other Apostles of whose particular vocation no mention is made in the Gospel.
Three other points are also to be considered:
1. The Apostles were uneducated men, from a low station of life.
2. The dignity to which they were so gently called.
3. The graces and gifts by which they were raised above all the Fathers of the Old and New Testament.
THE FIRST MIRACLE, PERFORMED AT THE MARRIAGE FEAST OF CANA IN GALILEE
(John 2: 1-11)
First Point—Christ Our Lord and His disciples were invited to the marriage feast.
Second Point— The Mother calls her Son’s attention to the lack of wine, saying: “They have no wine,” and she tells the attendants: “Do whatever He tells you.”
Third Point—He changed the water into wine…and He manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.
CHRIST DRIVES THE SELLERS OUT OF THE TEMPLE
(John 2: 13-16)
First Point—He drove all of the sellers from the temple with a scourge made of cord.
Second Point—He overturned the tables and scattered the money of the rich money changers that were in the temple.
Third Point—To the poor who were selling doves, He gently said: “Take these things away, and do not make of the house of My Father a house of business.”
THE SERMON CHRIST DELIVERED ON THE MOUNT
(Matt. 5)
First Point—He speaks apart to His beloved disciples, about the eight beatitudes: “Blessed are the poor in spirit…the meek…the merciful… they who mourn…they who hunger and thirst for justice…the clean of heart…the peacemakers…they who suffer persecution.”
Second Point—He exhorts them to use their talents well: “Even so let our light shine before men, in order that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
Third Point—He shows that He is not a transgressor of the law but a fulfiller. He explains the precept not to kill, not to commit adultery, not to swear falsely, and to love our enemies; “ I say to you, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.”
CHRIST CALMS THE STORM AT SEA
(Matt. 8: 23-27)
First Point—While Our Lord was sleeping in the boat a great storm arose.
Second Point—His terrified disciples awakened Him; He reproved them for their little faith, saying to them: “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?”
Third Point—He commanded the winds and the sea to cease, at once the wind ceased and the sea became calm. The men marveled at this, saying: “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
CHRIST WALKS UPON THE SEA
(Matt. 14:22-33)
First Point—While Christ Our Lord remained upon the mountain He made His disciples get into the boat, and when He had dismissed the crowd He began to pray alone.
Second Point—The boat was buffeted by the waves, Christ came to them walking upon the water, and the disciples thought it was an apparition.
Third Point—And Christ said to them: “It is I, fear not.” St Peter, at His command, came to Him, walking upon the waters, but when he doubted, he began to sink, and Christ Our Lord saved him, and reproved him for his little faith. Afterwards, when He entered the boat, the wind ceased.
THE APOSTLES ARE SENT FORTH TO PREACH
(Matt. 10: 1-16)
First Point—Christ calls His beloved disciples and gives them power to cast out devils from the bodies of men and to cure all infirmities.
Second Point—He instructs them in prudence and patience. “Behold, I am sending you forth like sheep in the midst of wolves. Be therefore wise as serpents and guileless as doves.”
Third Point—He tells them how they are to go: “Do not keep gold nor silver. Freely you have received, freely give.” And He tells them what they are to preach: “And as you go, preach the message, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ ”
THE CONVERSION OF MAGDALENE
(Luke 7: 36-50)
First Point—Magdalene enters the house of the Pharisee where Christ Our Lord is reclining at table. She is carrying an alabaster vessel full of ointment.
Second Point—Standing behind the Lord near His feet, she began to bathe them with her tears and to wipe them with her hair. And she kissed His feet and anointed them with ointment.
Third Point—When the Pharisee accused Magdalene, Christ defended her, saying: “I say to thee, her sins, many as they are, shall be forgiven her, because she has loved much”…and he said to the woman: “Thy faith has saved thee; go in peace.”
CHRIST FEEDS FIVE THOUSAND MEN
(Matt. 14:13-21)
First Point—The disciples asked Christ to dismiss the multitude who were with Him, since it was now late.
Second Point—Christ Our Lord commanded them to bring the loaves to Him, and ordered the multitude to sit down to eat. He blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to His disciples and they gave them to the multitude.
Third Point—And all ate and were satisfied; and they gathered up what was left over, twelve baskets full of fragments.
THE TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST
(Matt. 17: 1-9)
First Point—Christ Our Lord took with Him His beloved disciples Peter, James, and John. And He was transfigured before them and His face shone as the sun and His garments became white as snow.
Second Point—He spoke with Moses and Elias.
Third Point—While St. Peter was saying that they should build three tabernacles, a voice from heaven was heard, saying: “This is my beloved Son…hear him.” When the disciples heard this voice, they fell on their faces in great fear. Jesus came and touched them, and said: “Arise and do not be afraid… Tell the vision to no one till the Son of Man has risen from the dead.”
THE RESURRECTION OF LAZARUS
(John 11:1-45)
First Point—Martha and Mary make known to Christ Our Lord the illness of Lazarus. After Jesus heard of this He remained two days longer in the place where He was, that the miracle might be more evident.
Second Point—Before He raises Lazarus, He asks Martha and Mary to believe, saying : “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, even if he die, shall live.”
Third Point—He raises Lazarus after He had wept and said a prayer. The manner of raising him was by the command, “Lazarus, come forth.”
THE SUFFER IN BETHANY
(Matt. 26: 6-13)
First Point—Our Lord takes supper in the house of Simon the leper together with Lazarus.
Second Point—Mary pours the precious ointment upon the head of Christ.
Third Point—Judas murmurs, “To what purpose is this waste of ointment?” But Jesus again excuses Magdalene saying: “Why do you trouble the woman? She has done me a good turn.”
PALM SUNDAY
(Matt. 21: 1-11)
First Point—Jesus sends for the ass and the colt, saying: “Loose them and bring them to me , and if anyone say anything to you, you shall say that the Lord hath need of them and immediately he will sent them.”
Second Point—He mounts the ass which is covered with the garments of the Apostles.
Third Point—The people come forth to meet Him, spreading their garments and branches along the way, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest.”
JESUS PREACHES IN THE TEMPLE
(Luke 19:47)
First Point—And He was teaching daily in the Temple.
Second Point—After His teaching, since there was no one to receive Him in Jerusalem, He returned to Bethany.
THE LAST SUPPER
(Matt. 26:17-30; John 13:1-30)
First Point—Jesus ate the Paschal Lamb with His twelve Apostles, to whom He foretold His death: “Amen I say to you, one of you will betray Me.”
Second Point—He washed the feet of His disciples, even those of Judas. He began with St. Peter, who, considering the majesty of the Lord and his own lowly estate, would not permit it. He said, “Lord, dost thou wash my feet?” Peter did not understand that Jesus was giving them an example of humility by this. Jesus therefore said to him, “I have given you an example, that as I have done for you, so you also should do.”
Third Point—He instituted the most Holy Sacrifice of the Eucharist, as the greatest proof of His love, saying, “Take and eat.” When the supper was finished, Judas went forth to sell Our Lord.
FROM THE SUPPER TO THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN, INCLUSIVE
(Matt. 26:30-46; Mark 14:26-42)
First Point—After they had finished supper and sung a hymn, Our Lord went to Mount Olivet with His disciples, who were full of fear. He left eight of the in Gethsemane, saying to them: “Sit down here while I go yonder and pray.”
Second Point—Accompanied by Peter, James, and John, He prayed to the Father, saying, “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; yet not as I will, but as thou willest.” And falling into an agony he prayed the more earnestly.”
Third Point—So great was the fear that possessed Him, that He said: “My soul is sad, even unto death” and He sweated blood so copiously that St. Luke says: “His sweat became as drops of blood running down upon the ground.” This supposes that His garments were now saturated with blood.
FROM THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN TO THE HOUSE OF ANNAS, INCLUSIVE
(Matt. 26: 47-56; Luke 22: 47-53; Mark 14:43-52; John 18: 1-23)
First Point—Our Lord allows Himself to be kissed by Judas, and to be seized like a thief. He says to the crowd: “As against a robber you have come out, with swords and clubs, to seize me. I sat daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not lay hands on me.” And when He said: “Whom do you seek?” His enemies fell to the ground.
Second Point—St. Peter wounded a servant of the high priest. The meek Lord said to him: “Put back thy sword into its place.” And He healed the servant’s wound.
Third Point—Jesus is abandoned by His disciples and dragged before Annas. There St. Peter, who had followed him at a distance, denied Him the first time. Then a servant struck Christ in the face, saying to Him: “Is that the way thou answer the high priest?”
FROM THE HOUSE OF ANNAS TO THE HOUSE OF CAIPHAS, INCLUSIVE
(Matt. 26: 57-75; Mark 14: 53-72; Luke 22: 54-65)
First Point—Jesus is led bound from the House of Annas to the House of Caiphas where Peter denied Him twice. And when Jesus looked upon Peter, He went out and wept bitterly.
Second Point—Jesus was left bound the entire night.
Third Point—And those who held Him prisoner blindfolded Him, and struck Him and buffeted Him, and asked Him, “Prophesy, who is it that struck thee?” And in like manner they continued to blaspheme Him.
FROM THE HOUSE OF CAIPHAS TO THE HOUSE OF PILATE, INCLUSIVE
(Matt. 27: 1-26; Luke 23:1-5; Mark 15:1-15)
First Point—The whole multitude of the Jews brought Him before Pilate and accused Him, saying: “We have found this man perverting the nation, and forbidding the payment of taxes to Caesar.”
Second Point—After Pilate had examined Him several times, he said: “I find no crime deserving of death in Him.”
Third Point—Barabbas the robber was preferred to Him. The whole mob cried out together saying, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas!”
FROM THE HOUSE OF PILATE TO THE HOUSE OF HEROD
(Luke 23: 6-10)
First Point—Pilate sent Jesus the Galilean to Herod, the Tetrarch of Galilee.
Second Point—Herod, through curiosity, asked Jesus many scribes and priests unceasingly accused Him.
Third Point—Herod and his entire court mocked Jesus, clothing Him in a white garment.
FROM THE HOUSE OF HEROD TO THAT OF PILATE
(Matt. 27: 24-30; Luke 23: 12-23;Mark 15: 15-19; John 19: 1-11)
First Point—Herod sent Him back to Pilate. Because of this, they became friends, although before this they were enemies.
Second Point—Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him, and the soldiers mad a crown of thorns and placed it upon His head. They put a purple cloak about Him, and came before Him, saying: “Hail, King of the Jews!” and they struck Him.
Third Point—Pilate had Him brought forth before all the people; Jesus came forth, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak. And Pilate said to them: “Behold the man.” When they saw Him, the chief priests cried: “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”
FROM THE HOUSE OF PILATE TO THE CROSS, INCLUSIVE
(John 19:12-24)
First Point—Pilate, sitting as judge, delivered Jesus to the Jews to be crucified, after they had denied that He was their king, saying: “We have no king but Caesar.”
Second Point—He carried the cross upon His shoulders, and as He could not carry it, Simon of Cyrene was forced to carry it after Jesus.
Third Point—They crucified Him between two thieves placing this title above Him: Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.
JESUS UPON THE CROSS
(John 19: 23-37; Matt. 27: 35-39; Mark 15: 24-38; Luke 23: 34-46)
First Point—He spoke seven words on the Cross. He prayed for those who crucified Him; He pardoned the thief; He entrusted His Mother to St. John; He said in a loud voice: “I thirst,” and they gave Him gall and vinegar; He said that He was forsaken; He said: “It is consummated!”; He said, “Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit.”
Second Point—The sun was darkened; rocks rent, graves opened; the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
Third Point—They blasphemed Him, saying: “Thou who destroyed the Temple…come down the Cross.” His garments were divided; His side was pierced with a lance, and blood and water flowed forth.
FROM THE CROSS TO THE SEPULCHER, INCLUSIVE
(John 19: 38-42)
First Point—He was taken down from the Cross by Joseph and Nicodemus in the presence of His sorrowful Mother.
Second Point—His body was carried to the sepulcher, and buried with aloes placed around it.
Third Point—Guards were set.
THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST OUR LORD AND HIS FIRST APPARITION
First Point—He appeared to the Virgin Mary. Although this is not mentioned in Scripture, it is considered as mentioned when the Scripture says that He appeared to so many others, for the Scripture supposes that we have understanding, as is written “Are you also without understanding?”
THE SECOND APPARITION
(Mark 16: 1-11)
First Point—Very early in the morning Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome go to the tomb. They say to one another: “Who will roll the stone back from the entrance of the tomb for us?”
Second Point—They see the stone rolled back and an angel who says: “You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth… He has risen, He is not here.”
Third Point—He appeared to Mary, who remained near the tomb after the others had departed.
THE THIRD APPARITION
(Matt. 28: 8-10)
First Point— The other two women go from the tomb with great fear and joy. They want to announce the resurrection of the disciples.
Second Point—Christ Our Lord appeared to them on the way, and said to them, “Hail!” and they came up to Him, and prostrated themselves at His feet, and adored Him.
Third Point—Jesus said to them: “Do not be afraid; go, take word to my brethren that they are to set out Galilee: there they shall see Me.”
THE FOURTH APPARITION
(Luke 24:10-12; and 33-34)
First Point—When Peter heard from the women that Christ had risen, he hastened to the tomb.
Second Point—He entered the tomb and saw nothing but the linen cloths with which the Body of Christ Our Lord had been covered.
Third Point—While Peter was thinking about these things, Christ appeared to him. Therefore the Apostles said: “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon.”
THE FIFTH APPARITION
(Luke 24: 13-35)
First Point—He appeared to the disciples, who were on the way to Emmaus and were talking of Christ.
Second Point—He reproaches them, and shows them by the Scriptures that Christ had to die and rise again: “O foolish ones and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Did not Christ have to suffer these things before entering into His glory?”
Third Point—At their entreaties, He remained with them until He gave them Communion; then He disappeared. And they returned to the disciples and told them how they had known Him in the Communion.
THE SIXTH APPARITION
(John 20: 19-23)
First Point—The disciples, except Thomas, were gathered together, “for fear of the Jews.”
Second Point—Jesus appeared to them, the doors being closed, and standing in their midst said: “Peace be to you.”
Third Point—He gives them the Holy Ghost saying to them: “Receive the Holy Ghost; Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them, and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.”
THE SEVENTH APPARITION
(John 20: 24-29)
First Point—Thomas was incredulous since he had not been present at the preceding apparition, and said: “Unless I see…I will not believe.”
Second Point—Eight days later Jesus appeared to them, the doors being shut, and said to Thomas: “Bring here thy finger and see… and be not unbelieving, but believing.”
Third Point—Thomas believing, said: “My Lord and my God.” And Christ said to him: “Blessed are they who have not seen, and have believed.”
THE EIGHTH APPARITION
(John 21: 1-17)
First Point—Jesus manifested Himself to seven of His disciples who were fishing. They had been fishing all night and had caught nothing. At His command they cast forth the net and now they were unable to draw it up the great number of fishes.
Second Point—John recognized Him by this miracle, and said to Peter “It is the Lord.” Peter cast himself into the sea and came to Christ.
Third Point—He gave them part of a broiled fish and bread to eat. After he had questioned Peter three times on his love for Him, He commended His sheep to him, saying: “Feed My sheep.”
THE NINTH APPARITION
(Matt. 28: 16-20)
First Point—At the command of the Lord, the disciples went to Mount Thabor.
Second Point—Christ appeared to them, and said: “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
Third Point—He sent them to preach throughout the world, saying: “Go, therefore, and make disciple of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”
THE TENTH APPARITION
(1 Corinth 15: 6)
Then He was seen by more than five hundred brethren at one time.
THE ELEVENTH APPARITION
(1 Corinth 15:7)
After that He was seen by James.
THE TWELFTH APPARITION
He appeared to Joseph of Arimathea,as may be piously thought, and as we read in the Lives of the Saints
THE THIRTEENTH APPARITION
(1 Corinth 15:8)
After His Ascension He appeared to St. Paul:— And last of all, as by one born out of due time, He was seen also by me.
He appeared also in soul to the holy fathers in Limbo, and after He had freed them and take His Body again, He appeared many times to the disciples and discoursed with them.
THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST OUR LORD
(Acts 1:1-11)
First Point—After Christ Our Lord had manifested Himself for forty days to His Apostles, giving them many proofs and signs, and speaking of the Kingdom of God, He commanded them to await in Jerusalem the Holy Ghost that He had promised them.
Second Point—He led them to Mt. Olivet And He was lifted up before their eyes, and a cloud took Him out of their sight.
Third Point—While they were looking up to heaven, angels said to them: “Men of Galilee why do you stand looking up to heaven? This Jesus Who has been taken up from you into heaven, shall come in the same way as you have seen Him going up to heaven.”
This work has been a labor of love brought to our readers by the staff of Catholic Candle. It is our desire that many will draw spiritual fruit from St. Ignatius’s Spiritual Exercises. For this reason we have tried to preserve them for the future. These Exercises have had a huge impact on the lives of many including many of the Church’s saints and our staff longed to make them available to the public.