The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Translated from the Authorised Latin; With Extracts from the Literal Version and Notes of the Rev. Father Rothaan

St. Ignatius of Loyola was a Spanish Catholic priest, theologian, and saint. He was a founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuit Order), its first general (1541-1556). Also was a representative of the Loyola family of Navarre. The spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola are a technique of Christian meditation, prayer and meditation that help to know oneself and God better. The spiritual exercises were created by the founder of the Jesuit order, by St. Ignatius Loyola around 1522–1524. The exercises themselves are divided into four thematic "weeks" of different lengths, designed to carry them out over a period of 28 to 30 days. They were compiled to help see Jesus in Ignatius' life, which later led to a personal commitment to follow and serve him. Although the spiritual exercises are based on Catholic dogmas of the faith, these exercises are now performed not only by Catholics.