The New Spiritual Exercises: In the Spirit of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

by Louis M. Savary

For all practical purposes, the last comprehensive revolutionary advance in spirituality and spiritual practice for prayerful Christians was Ignatius Loyola’s Spiritual Exercises in the 16th century. Most devout Christians today are using many of the same spiritual practices today. During the 20th century, Jesuit priest Teilhard de Chardin developed a truly revolutionary spirituality integrating into it the discoveries of science and a comprehensive evolutionary perspective―a perspective never conceived of before by traditional spiritual writers. Through his integration of science and faith, Teilhard offered us a new way to understand the Word of God and the immensity of the universal Christ. This book presents a spiritual renewal system for contemporary believers based on Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises and inspired by the modern insights of Jesuit priest-scientist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. This innovative book is a must for courses on Teilhard's spirituality and thought, traditional or contemporary spirituality, or Ignatius's Spiritual Exercises, devotees of Teilhard and/or the Spiritual Exercises, and those who give retreats. †

Genres: Spirituality, Catholic, Theology

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 3, 2011

Reviews

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

ⓒ 2010. Teilhard is the earliest person I've run across who talks about the evolution of human consciousness. The idea of doing the Ignatian Exercises in cooperation with the God of evolving consciousness was new to me and very exciting. (I wouldn't recommend this book for people who have not done the Exercises before; it does not have enough explanation of how to do the prayer exercises.)

[Pam Cipkowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this as part of Bellarmine Retreat House's Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life online retreat. Savary's work is essentially a reenvisioning of the Exercises from the viewpoint of Teilhard. Combining Teilhard's vision with the format of the Exercises makes for an amazing cosmic journey to get to the root of The Christ Project and examine how individuals can become more involved in the Project. Essential reading for any student of Teilhard's, but it will be most valuable and effective if read while undertaking the Exercises. Bellarmine Retreat House will be offering this online retreat again in Fall 2026, and I would highly encourage anyone interested in Teilhard's works to consider taking it!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book presents another approach to an Ignatian retreat. This focus shifts in that it begins with the Original Blessing, and the grace one receives as a gift that move all creation through the evolutive process ~ thus consciousness grows, all done as part of the Cosmic Christ.
It is written in such a way that this time can be done individually or as a group. I used this as part of my Lenten readings. as adapted it to fit.
Teilhard was ahead of his time, and still so today. (Hid early writings/letters started during WWI.
There is much insight to be gained spending time with this book. There are parts that explain the theology of Teilhard, this is helpful as you work though the rest of the book. There are also suggestions given that help adapt to individual needs.

[William Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Content excellent. Page format not so much.

The book is excellent. The kindle format does not have pages so is hard to use while doing the exercises. "Location" is rather useless. I wish Kindle would keep "pages" for navigating and referencing where you are in the book.

[Margaret J Junkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Changed my life; my relationship with God, my way of experiencing the universe. So fulfilling to be part of the Christ project!