EXEGETICAL AND THEOLOGICAL FEATURES THAT CHARACTERIZE THE PERSPECTIVE OF SAINT IGNATIUS WHEN PRESENTING THE MYSTERIES OF THE PASSION OF CHRIST IN THE SPIRITUAL EXERCISES

Abstract

Toward the end of the book of the Spiritual Exercises, Ignatius offers some summaries of the mysteries of the life of Christ (Ex 261-312). We find ten mysteries in the third week (289-298). In the present article, we intend to highlight how Ignatius reads the Gospels and, how he understood the Passion of Christ. Our methodology studies the selection and use that Ignatius makes of these mysteries. Through Ignatian’s omissions and additions to the Gospel text, his particular theology and spirituality are revealed to us, thus contributing to a better outlining of what Ignatius offers the retreatant as the material, the means, and the goal of the prayer.

KEYWORDS: Gospel. Passion. Reception. Spiritual Exercises.