Ignatian Individual and Communal Discernment

In the Letter to the Hebrews, we read: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was to go. By faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs of the same promise; for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and maker is God.” This passage is quoted frequently by Rev. Arturo Sosa, SJ, the Superior General of the Society of Jesus. He frequently associates the figure of Abraham with the Society of Jesus as we discern the shared apostolic future of the USA East Province.

Let’s pause briefly and continue to reflect and give gratitude for the great gift of Ignatian spirituality and of discernment of spirits in particular. Here are two brief descriptions for each one of these two modalities of Ignatian discernment: Ignatian Individual Discernment and Ignatian Communal Discernment as part of the Process of Apostolic Planning. The senior and informed Jesuits in our health care centers will be praying for the Jesuits and Lay Colleagues participating in apostolic discernment this fall. A beautiful prayer and reflection guide has been developed for them. Its overarching theme is the figure of Abraham. They will be praying that like Abraham, we might be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.