The Way of Ignatius: A prayer journey through Lent

by Gemma Simmonds

Isn’t a deep prayer life only for religious specialists? In this introduction to the spiritual life, Gemma Simmonds shows that everyone can find prayer a rewarding experience. She explores the story and prayer tradition of Ignatius of Loyola, together with the contribution of the seventeenth-century Yorkshire woman, Mary Ward. A guide for Lent and the rest of the year, The Way of Ignatius helps us to pray with the Scriptures in an imaginative way. To aid reflection and discussion, there are questions at the end of each chapter. ‘In this wonderful book, Gemma Simmonds explores the method of prayer developed by St Ignatius in a way that makes this profound approach to prayer accessible . . . I highly recommend this book.’ Ian Mobsby, Anglican priest, writer, speaker and Prior, Wellspring New Monastic Community, Peckham, London ‘If you are looking for insightful and encouraging spiritual reading, you have found your book! . . . Gemma Simmonds invites us to be pilgrims in the company of Jesus, Ignatius and Mary Ward.’Kevin O’Brien SJ, author, The Ignatian Experiencing the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius in daily life

Genres: Christian, Prayer

98 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2018

Reviews

[MargCal · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ☆
Finished reading ... The Way of Ignatius: A prayer journey through Lent / Gemma Simmonds ... 06 March 2019
ISBN: 9780281075317 … 89 pp.

So often, almost always, those who write about prayer make it sound so esoteric that it's off-putting to, sounds impossible for, mere ordinary, everyday mortals.

However, this small volume, with so many insights, lives up to the back-cover blurb: "In this introduction to the spiritual life, Gemma Simmonds shows that everyone can find prayer a rewarding experience."

This book is a joy. Highly recommended.

[Michelle Cahill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this on retreat, where my spiritual advisor talked to me about Ignatian Prayer and I found this book in the library. This just happened to be in Lent but this should in no way restrict you from reading at any time.

I’m an Anglican not Catholic, but this is not a defining factor of this book, which helps us to realise we are all unique and special and can find God in the most mundane of day to day routines.

It is so beautifully written - I felt I was in conversation - and so enjoyable. I usually read books very quickly, but I took my time to really read this book, a chapter or part chapter a night, and took time to consider what I had read.

As a Christian working in a church, I have access to many books and - let’s be honest - some are written with strange bias, some are dry and dreary, some leave you strangely unsatisfied. This book was the opposite. It is a delight and I cannot recommend enough.

[Stefan Grieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great primer for Ignatian spirituality themed around elements of Lent. Shares of the Exercises in an accessible way that is encouraging.

[JT Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Less of a journey through Lent than it is an intro into Ignatian spirituality.