Ignatian Based Ministry Resources for Catholic Spiritual Direction

Ignatian Resources

Back to Ministry Resources

Please send us a list of recommended books you think every CatholicSD should have in their library

About St. Ignatius

Comerford, Brendan, S.J. The Pilgrim Story: The Life and Spirituality of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Messenger Publications, 2004.
Geger, Barton T., S.J., editor. A Pilgrim’s Testament: The Memoirs of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. 2nd ed., Institute of Jesuit Sources, 2021.
Ignatius of Loyola. Personal Writings. Translated and edited by Joseph A. Munitiz and Philip Endean, Penguin Books, 1996.
---. Saint Ignatius' Own Story: As Told to Luis Gonzalez de Camara. Translated by William J. Young, S.J., Loyola University Press, 1956.
---. Spiritual Exercises and Selected Works. Edited by George E. Ganss, S.J., Paulist Press, 1991. Classics of Western Spirituality.
Meissner, W. W., S.J., M.D. Ignatius of Loyola: The Psychology of a Saint. Yale University Press, 1992.

Ignatian Spiritual Direction

Tetlow, Joseph A., S.J. Always Discerning: An Ignatian Spirituality for the New Millennium. Loyola Press, 2016.
---. Handing on the Fire: Making Spiritual Direction Ignatian. Institute of Jesuit Sources, 2020.

On Ignatian Prayer Methods

Gallagher, Timothy M., OMV. An Ignatian Introduction to Prayer: Scriptural Reflections According to the Spiritual Exercises. Crossroad Publishing Company, 2007.
---. Meditation and Contemplation: An Ignatian Guide to Praying with Scripture. Crossroad Publishing Company, 2008.

On The Examen

De Mello, Anthony. Awareness: The Perils and Opportunities of Reality. Doubleday, 1992.
Gallagher, Timothy M., OMV. The Examen Prayer: Ignatian Wisdom for Our Lives Today. Crossroad Publishing Company, 2006.
Manney, Jim. A Simple, Life-Changing Prayer: Discovering the Power of Saint Ignatius Loyola's Examen. Loyola Press, 2011.
Thibodeaux, Mark E., S.J. Reimagining the Ignatian Examen: Fresh Ways to Pray from Your Day. Loyola Press, 2015.

On Prayer - William Barry, SJ

Barry, William A., S.J. A Friendship Like No Other: Experiencing God’s Amazing Embrace. Loyola Press, 2008.
---. Discernment in Prayer: Paying Attention to God. Ave Maria Press, 1992.
---. God and You: Prayer as a Personal Relationship. Paulist Press, 1987.
---. God’s Passionate Desire and Our Response: Learning to Pray with Awe and Love. Loyola Press, 2009.
---. Here’s My Heart, Here’s My Hand: Living Fully in Friendship with God. Loyola Press, 2010.
---. Praying the Truth: Deepening Your Friendship with God through Honest Prayer. Loyola Press, 2012.
---. Seek My Face: Prayer as Personal Relationship in Scripture. Ave Maria Press, 2004.

Ignatian Spirituality

On Ignatian Spirituality ( Loyola Press
Barry, William A., S.J., and Robert G. Doherty, S.J. Contemplatives in Action: The Jesuit Way. Paulist Press, 2002.
Fleming, David L., S.J. What Is Ignatian Spirituality? Loyola Press, 2008.
Longsdale, David. Eyes to See, Ears to Hear: An Introduction to Ignatian Spirituality. Rev. ed., Loyola Press, 2000.
Manney, Jim. Ignatian Spirituality A to Z. Loyola Press, 2011.
Modras, Ronald. Ignatian Humanism: A Dynamic Spirituality for the 21st Century. Loyola Press, 2004.
Silf, Margaret. Inner Compass: An Invitation to Ignatian Spirituality. Loyola Press, 1999.
Traub, George W., S.J., editor. An Ignatian Spirituality Reader: Contemporary Writings on St. Ignatius of Loyola, the Spiritual Exercises, Discernment, and More. Loyola Press, 2008.
Zas Friz de Col, Rosana, S.J. Ignatian Christian Life: A New Paradigm. Paulist Press, 2021.

On Finding God

Shea, John J. Finding God Again: Spirituality for Adults. Rowman & Littlefield, 2005.
Barry, William A., S.J. Finding God in All Things: A Companion to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Ave Maria Press, 1991.

Devotions

Carter, Michael H., S.J., editor. Hearts on Fire: Praying with the Jesuits. Loyola Press, 1993.

On Discernment -Thomas Gallagher, OMV

Gallagher, Timothy M., OMV. Discerning the Will of God: An Ignatian Guide to Christian Decision Making. Crossroad Publishing Company, 2009.
---. Spiritual Consolation: An Ignatian Guide for the Greater Discernment of Spirits. Crossroad Publishing Company, 2007.
---. Setting Captives Free: Personal Reflections on Ignatian Discernment of Spirits. EWTN Publishing, 2018.
---. Teaching Discernment: Pedagogy for Presenting Ignatian Discernment of Spirits. Crossroad Publishing Company, 2021.
---. The Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide for Everyday Living. Crossroad Publishing Company, 2005.
---. The Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide for Everyday Living – Reader's Guide. Crossroad Publishing Company, 2021.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher on Discerning Hearts
- Videos on Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Gallagher 16 Videos
- Fr. Gallagher's Contemplation on the Love of God

Discernment

Thibodeaux, Mark E., S.J. Ignatian Discernment of Spirits for Spiritual Direction and Pastoral Care: Going Deeper. Loyola Press, 2021.
Toner, Jules J., S.J. A Commentary on Saint Ignatius’ Rules for the Discernment of Spirits: A Guide to the Principles and Practice. Institute of Jesuit Sources, 1982.
---. Spirit of Light or Darkness: A Casebook for Studying Discernment of Spirits. Institute of Jesuit Sources, 2006.

On Finding God's Will - Making Decisions

Brackley, Dean. The Call to Discernment in Troubled Times: New Perspectives on the Transformative Wisdom of Ignatius of Loyola. Crossroad Publishing Company, 2004.
Hipskind, Tim, S.J., et al. What’s Your Decision? How to Make Choices with Confidence and Clarity: An Ignatian Approach to Decision-Making. Loyola Press, 2010.
Kiechle, Stefan, S.J. The Art of Discernment: Making Good Decisions in Your World of Choices. Ave Maria Press, 2005.
Muldoon, Tim. Living Against the Grain: How to Make Decisions That Lead to an Authentic Life. Loyola Press, 2006.
Nouwen, Henri J. M., with Michael J. Christensen and Rebecca J. Laird. Discernment: Reading the Signs of Daily Life. HarperOne, 2013.
Thibodeaux, Mark E., S.J. God’s Voice Within: The Ignatian Way to Discover God’s Will. Loyola Press, 2010.
Wolff, Pierre. Discernment: The Art of Choosing Well Based upon Ignatian Spirituality. Loyola Press, 2003.

Jesuit Resources

http://www.sjweb.info/resources/

The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola

TRANSLATIONS

(English translations from the original text - used by directors in giving one-on-one Spiritual Exercises in the 30 day or 30 weeks [19th Annot.])

Ignatius of Loyola. The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius: Based on Studies in the Language of the Autograph. Vintage Spiritual Classics, 2000. Preface by Avery Dulles, S.J.
Fleming, David L., S.J. Draw Me into Your Friendship: The Spiritual Exercises – A Literal Translation & Contemporary Reading. Institute of Jesuit Sources, 1996.
Ganss, George E., S.J. The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius: A Translation and Commentary. Institute of Jesuit Sources, 1991.
Ivens, Michael, S.J. Understanding the Spiritual Exercises: Text and Commentary. Gracewing, 1998.
Mottola, Anthony, trans. The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Doubleday Image Books, 1964.
Puhl, Louis J., S.J., trans. The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Loyola Press, 1951.
Tetlow, Joseph A., S.J. The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius: With Commentary. Loyola Press, 19
Wolff, Pierre. The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius: A Translation and Commentary. Liguori Publications, 1997. Liguori Classic®.

For Directees: Before receiving the SE

Barry, William A., S.J. Letting God Come Close: An Approach to the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. Loyola Press, 2001.

References for Giving the SE

Aschenbrenner, George, S.J. Stretched for Greater Glory: What to Expect from the Spiritual Exercises. Loyola Press, 2004.
Barry, William A., S.J. Finding God in All Things: A Companion to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. Ave Maria Press, 1991.
Cusson, Gilles, S.J. Biblical Theology and the Spiritual Exercises. Translated by Mary Angela Roduit, Institute of Jesuit Sources, 1988.
DeCelles, Paul, and M. F. Sparrow. Burning with Love for God: A Guide to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. Paulist Press, 1991.
Dyckman, Katherine Marie, Mary Garvin, and Elizabeth Liebert. The Spiritual Exercises Reclaimed: Uncovering Liberating Possibilities for Women. Paulist Press, 2001.
Fleming, David L., S.J. Like the Lightning: The Dynamics of the Ignatian Exercises. Institute of Jesuit Sources, 2004.
---, editor. Notes on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola: The Best of the Review, Volume 1. Review for Religious, 2001.
---, editor. Sharing the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius: The Best of the Review, Volume 9. Review for Religious, 2008.
Ivens, Michael, S.J. Understanding the Spiritual Exercises: Text and Commentary. Gracewing, 1998.
Savary, Louis M. The New Spiritual Exercises: In the Spirit of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. Paulist Press, 2010.
Sheldrake, Philip, editor. The Way of Ignatius Loyola: Contemporary Approaches to the Spiritual Exercises. Institute of Jesuit Sources, 1991.
Servais, Jacques, S.J., editor. Hans Urs von Balthasar on the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. Ignatius Press, 2013.
Cowan, Marian, C.S.J., and John Carroll Futrell, S.J. Companions in Grace: A Handbook for Directors of the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Institute of Jesuit Sources, 2000.

Other

Domínguez‑Morano, Carlos, S.J. Psychodynamics of the Ignatian Exercises. Translated by Ane Miren De Rotaeche Dowdall, Institute of Jesuit Sources, 2025.