Journal to Gratitude

Journal to Gratitude invites you to join in the transformative spiritual journeys of those who have gone before you. The scriptural readings, journal notes and spiritually-reflective poems are organized around the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius. Be it 500 years ago when Ignatius, the layperson, wrote the Spiritual Exercises or today when you, the lay or religious person, experience the same prayer methodologies, a journey to gratitude awaits you. While there are numerous wonderful forms of prayer available to people, the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius are recognized as amongst the best for transforming our relationship with God and one another. The prayers and poetic reflections include "popular" authors like Thomas Merton, Telihard de Chardin S.J., M.L. West, Saint Augustine, Mary Oliver, and others. More importantly, the prayers and poetic reflections include "every day" authors who simply use journaling as a form of prayer. Larry Gillick S.J. introduces each of the Spiritual Exercise weeks. Without regard to advanced theology or literary degrees, people have been journaling their spiritual reflections with God for almost 3,500 years. Excellent prose was not their greatest strength. Being inspired by the Holy Spirit was their gift. The journaling done by the earliest biblical authors was an outgrowth of their effort to communicate with the God in their lives. Of the most commonly recognized 66 books in the Christian bible, the poetic Psalms are the largest. One of the beauties of writing down our humble efforts to communicate with God is that we can, and do, go back to them. Appreciate the Exercises. The Exercises are not a program or workshop, but a way of receiving life and living more freely what has been given to us. One does not actually make the Spiritual Exercises; rather the Exercises make the person a fuller receiver of her or his creation. Ignatian Spirituality flows from these Exercises into the personal lives and missions of those who do come face-to-face with Jesus and themselves. They will most probably set your heart on fire and help fill many other hearts with a feeling of gratitude. Accept this invitation The Exercises do transform. You do not have to be a saint before you start them. Ignatius of Loyola is a great model for a spiritual journey because he was not "saintly" when he started the Exercises. When you finish the exercises, you will not be concerned about being good enough. It is not about being perfect or imperfect. It is not about being saint or sinner. It is about accepting that we are all a little "rascally", and all of us are made in the image and likeness of God. Journal To Gratitude can be used as an aide for daily prayer, for the novice or seasoned journalist, and for individual or group study of the Spiritual Exercises. Like the Spiritual Exercises themselves, it can be used by Catholics and non-Catholics alike, laypeople and the religious. Journal to Gratitude supports two non-profits. The book includes spiritual journaling by many authors over thousands of years. For the vast majority of these authors, their material reward rarely exceeded a meal or a place to sleep. The proceeds of this book are being donated to two Jesuit affiliated organizations that promote spiritual outreach and journaling. After expenses, all proceeds will be divided amongst: 1) Ignatian Associates, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and 2) Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, Minneapolis, Minnesota.