Spiritual Diary

The Spiritual Diary records Ignatius of Loyola's interior experiences during a pivotal period of discernment about the constitutions of the Society of Jesus, particularly regarding the question of whether Jesuit churches should possess fixed revenues. Written between February 1544 and February 1545, these daily entries capture the founder's prayer life as he sought divine guidance on fundamental matters of religious governance. The diary emerged from Ignatius's practice of examining his spiritual movements and recording the consolations, desolations, and mystical experiences that accompanied his decision-making process.

The work reveals Ignatius's method of spiritual discernment in vivid detail, showing how he attended to tears, interior movements, and mystical phenomena as indicators of God's will. He describes experiencing intense devotional tears during Mass, visions of the Trinity, and periods of spiritual dryness, all while wrestling with practical questions about religious poverty and institutional structure. The diary demonstrates his conviction that God communicates through interior spiritual states and that careful attention to these movements can guide momentous decisions. Ignatius ultimately concludes that Jesuit churches should not possess fixed revenues, a decision reached through this sustained period of mystical prayer and discernment.

The Spiritual Diary has endured as perhaps the most intimate window into Ignatian spirituality, complementing the more systematic approach of the Spiritual Exercises with raw spiritual experience. It provides crucial insight into how the principles of Jesuit discernment operated in the life of their originator and has influenced centuries of spiritual direction and mystical theology. This work is essential reading for serious students of Ignatian spirituality, spiritual directors seeking to understand mystical discernment, and anyone interested in the intersection of contemplative prayer and practical decision-making. It is not suitable for casual readers seeking devotional comfort, as its technical spiritual vocabulary and intense mystical content require substantial background in Catholic spiritual theology.