Content

This unit will explore the genre, structure, socio-historical context and theological emphases of the Gospels, and the cultural and social situation of the Mediterranean world in New Testament times. The key focus will be on the role of the imagination in prayer, as outlined by Saint Ignatius. When an exercitant prays over a Gospel passage in making the Spiritual Exercises, he or she enters it as a participant. The unit will give attention to early influences leading Ignatius to employ imaginative prayer with the Gospel narratives within the Spiritual Exercises. It will explore the psychology of the human imagination and its relevance to the practice of prayer in life, work and ministry.

Unit code: DS9071J

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Spirituality

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Jesuit College of Spirituality

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Learning outcomes

1.

Outline the basic psychology of human imagining and its value for prayer

2.

Describe the influence of Ludolph of Saxony’s practice of imaginative contemplation upon Ignatius of Loyola and his subsequent writing of the Spiritual Exercises

3.

Articulate the structure and subject outlines of the four Gospels and their particular use of symbols and images

4.

Identify and develop skills in using imaginative prayer that enhances the ministry practice of spiritual directors

Unit sequence

Prohibited combinations: old code/ name: DS9105F Synagogues, Villages and Towns: Using the Imagination in Contemplating Gospel Narratives in Ignatian Prayer

Pedagogy

Lectures, seminars, tutorials, small group reflection

Indicative Bibliography

  • Barry, W.A. Letting God Come Close: An Approach to the Spiritual Exercises. Chicago: Loyola University Press, 2001.
  • Coleman, G. Walking With Inigo: A Commentary on the Autobiography of St. Ignatius. Gujurat: Anand Press, 2001.
  • Fischer, K. The Inner Rainbow: The Imagination In Christian Life. New York, NY: Paulist Press, 1983.
  • Fleming, D.L. Draw me into your Friendship: The Spiritual Exercises. St. Louis, IL: Institute of Jesuit Sources, 1996.
  • Hansen, M. T*he Gospels for Prayer*. Notre Dame, IN: Ave Maria Press, 2003.
  • Lyons, A. Imagine Believing: Explorations in Contemporary Faith. Melbourne, AUS: David Lovell Publications, 2003.
  • Moloney, F.J. The Living Voice of the Gospel: The Gospels Today. Dublin, UK: Veritas Publications, 2006.
  • Painter, C. & B. Beckman. Awakening The Creative Spirit: Bringing The Arts To Spiritual Direction. Harrisburg, PA: Morehouse Publishing, 2010.
  • Silf, M. Compass Points: Meeting God Every Day At Every Turn. Chicago, IL: Loyola University Press, 2011.
  • de Waal, E. The Celtic Way of Prayer: The Recovery of the Religious Imagination, London, UK: Hodder and Stoughton, 2003.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

6000 word-essay

6000 100.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 3 Aug, 2017

Unit record last updated: 2022-10-04 11:21:04 +1100