Reflections of St. Ignatius of Loyola

Saint Ignatius of Loyola is best known as the founder and first Superior General of the ‘Society of Jesus’. Writer of the book ‘Spiritual Exercises’, Ignatius was a Spanish soldier in the early years of his life. However, a tragic incident changed the course of living for this brave man and ecclesiastic studies became the focus of his life. Ordained as a priest, St. Ignatius was a powerful man who fought the Protestant Reformation and promoted the Counter-Reformation.

We have collected some of the best prayers of St. Ignatius of Loyola to use in request to God. May these prayers for safety bring you comfort and peace of mind. May these prayers for strength encourage your spirit and strengthen your faith.

Daily Prayer:

Lord, grant that I may see you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day.

Prayer for Knowledge and Gratitude

I ask God, the Father, to give me an intimate knowledge of the many gifts I have received, so that filled with gratitude for all, I may in all things love and serve the Divine Majesty.

Eternal Lord of All

Eternal Lord of all things, I come before your infinite goodness, and before your glorious mother and all saints of the heavenly court, to make my offering, with your help and favor: it is my wish, desire and determination, provided that it would be for your greater service and praise, to imitate you in suffering injury, insults and poverty, actual as well as spiritual, should your most holy majesty choose to receive me in such a way of life.

Prayer of Self Offering

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding,
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.

You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.

Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me.

St.Ignatius of Loyola

St.Ignatius of Loyola

Suscipe: “Take, Lord, Receive”

Latin Text and various English Translations

Suscipe, Domine, universam meam libertatem.
Accipe memoriam, intellectum atque voluntatem omnem.
Quidquid habeo vel possideo, mihi largitus es;
id tibi totum restituo,
ac tuae prorsus voluntati trado gubernandum.
Amorem tui solum cum gratia tua mihi dones,
et dives sum satis, nec aliud quidquam ultra posco.
Receive, O Lord, all my liberty.
Take my memory, my understanding, and my entire will.
Whatever I have or hold, You have given me;
I give it all back to You
and surrender it wholly to be governed by your will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
and I am rich enough and ask for nothing more.
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding, and my entire will
— all that I have and call my own.
You have given it all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace.
That is enough for me.
Receive, O Lord, all my liberty.
Take my memory, my understanding, and my entire will.
Whatever I have or possess Thou hast bestowed upon me;
I give it all back to Thee
and surrender it wholly to be governed by Thy Will.
Give me love for Thee alone along with Thy grace,
and I am rich enough and ask for nothing more.
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding and my entire will
– all that I have and call my own.
You have given it all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours, do with it as you will.
Give me only your love and your grace.
That is enough for me.
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding, and my entire will.
Whatever I have or hold, you have given me.
I restore it all to you
and surrender it wholly to be governed by your will.
Give me only your love and grace
and I am rich enough and ask for nothing more.

Prayer for Generosity

Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous;
Teach me to serve You as You deserve:
To give and not to heed the wounds;
To toil and not to seek for test;
To labor and not to ask for reward,
Save that of knowing that I am doing Your will. Amen.

Prayer to Know God’s Will

May it please the supreme and divine Goodness
to give us all abundant grace
ever to know his most holy will
and perfectly to fulfill it.

Anima Christi

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds hide me.
Permit me not to be separated from you.
From the wicked foe, defend me.
At the hour of my death, call me
and bid me come to you
That with your saints I may praise you
For ever and ever. Amen.

The “Principle and Foundation”

The human person is created to praise, reverence, and serve God Our Lord, and by doing so, to save his or her soul.

All other things on the face of the earth are created for human beings in order to help them pursue the end for which they are created.

It follows from this that one must use other created things, in so far as they help towards one’s end, and free oneself from them, in so far as they are obstacles to one’s end.

To do this, we need to make ourselves indifferent to all created things, provided the matter is subject to our free choice and there is no other prohibition.

Thus, as far as we are concerned, we should not want health more than illness, wealth more than poverty, fame more than disgrace, a long life more than a short one, and similarly for all the rest, but we should desire and choose only what helps us more towards the end for which we are created.

Principle and Foundation

Although not usually considered a prayer, this text is worthy of prayerful reflection; here is a paraphrased version by David Fleming, SJ:

The Goal of our life is to live with God forever. God, who loves us, gave us life.
Our own response of love allows God’s life to flow into us without limit.

All the things in this world are gifts from God,
presented to us so that we can know God more easily and make a return of love more readily.

As a result, we appreciate and use all these gifts of God insofar as they help us to develop as loving persons.
But if any of these gifts become the center of our lives, they displace God and so hinder our growth toward our goal.

In everyday life, then, we must hold ourselves in balance before all of these created gifts
insofar as we have a choice and are not bound by some obligation.
We should not fix our desires on health or sickness,
wealth or poverty, success or failure, a long life or a short one.
For everything has the potential of calling forth in us a deeper response to our life in God.

Our only desire and our one choice should be this:
I want and I choose what better leads to God’s deepening his life in me.

Trust in Jesus

O Christ Jesus,
when all is darkness
and we feel our weakness and helplessness,
give us the sense of Your presence,
Your love, and Your strength.
Help us to have perfect trust
in Your protecting love
and strengthening power,
so that nothing may frighten or worry us,
for, living close to You,
we shall see Your hand,
Your purpose, Your will through all things. Amen.

Departed Souls

Lord, welcome into your calm and peaceful kingdom, those who have departed out of this present life to be with you. Grant them rest and a place with the spirits of the just; and give them the life that shows no age, the reward that passes not away, through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Act of Faith

O my God, I firmly believe that Thou art one God in three Divine Persons, Father, Son and
Holy Ghost; I believe that Thy Divine son became man, and died for our sins, and that He
will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy
Catholic Church teaches because Thou Hast revealed them, Who canst neither deceive nor be
deceived.

Act of Hope

O my god, relying on thy almighty power and infinite mercy and promises, I hope to obtain
pardon of my sins, with the help of Thy grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus
Christ, my Lord and Redeemer.

Act of Love

O my god, I love thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art all good
and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee. I forgive all who have
injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured.

Act of Contrition

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended thee, and I detest all my sins because of
Thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good
and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin not more and to
avoid the near occasions of sin.

Morning Offering of Reparation

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the
Mass being offered throughout the world, I offer You all my prayers, works, joys and sufferings
of this day in reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary, for
my sins and the sins of the whole world.

Morning Offering

Most Holy and Adorable Trinity, one God in three Persons, I firmly believe that You are here
present; I adore You with the most profound humility; I praise You and give You thanks with
all my heart for the favors You have bestowed on me. Your Goodness has brought me safely
to the beginning of this day. Behold, O Lord, I offer You my whole being and in particular all
my thoughts, words and actions, together with such crosses and contradictions as I may meet
within the course of this day. Give them, O Lord, Your blessing; may Your divine Love animate
them and may they tend to the greater honor and glory of Your Sovereign Majesty. Amen.

Morning Offering (Brown Scapular)

O my God, in union with the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer Thee the Precious Blood of
Jesus from all the Altars throughout the world, joining with It the offering of my every thought,
word, and action of this day. O my Jesus, I desire today to gain every indulgence and merit I
can, offering them, together with myself, to Mary Immaculate, whom Thou hast appointed the
dispenser of the merits of Thy Precious Blood, especially by means of this Scapular (Here kiss
your Brown Scapular) that she may best apply them to the interests of Thy Most Sacred Heart.
Precious Blood of Jesus, save us! Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us! Sacred Heart of
Jesus, have mercy on us!

Thy Will Be Done
Thy Will be done, O blessed Lord whatever it may be,
To Thee I pray, each night and day, make Thy Will known to me,
I ask not wealth, O dearest Lord, to ease my earthly pain,
For what am I, that I should sigh for pleasure or for gain?
I ask but grace to persevere until my course is run,
To watch and pray, and humbly say, O God, Thy Will be done!

Prayers to Saint Ignatius

O Glorious Patriarch,
St. Ignatius, we humbly
beseech you to obtain for us
from God above all the things,
freedom from sin, the
greatest of evils. May your
example inflame our hearts
with an efficacious glory to
God and the good of our
neighbor; and obtain from
the loving Heart of Jesus,
our Lord, the crown of all
other graces, the gift of
final perseverance, and
eternal beatitude. Amen.

***     ***     ***

Dearest Lord, teach me to be
generous; teach to serve You as
You deserve: to give, and not count
the cost; to fight, and not to heed
the wounds; to toil, and not to ask for
reward, except that knowing that
I am doing Your Will.
Amen.


St. Ignatius Loyola Novena

Novena Begins: July 22
Feast Day: July 31

Patron Saint of Military Ordinariate of the Philippines, Society of Jesus, soldiers, Educators and Education.

Day 1 – St. Ignatius Loyola Novena

Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Eternal Lord of all things, I feel your gaze on me. I sense that your Mother stands near, watching and that with you are all the great beings of heaven: angels and powers and martyrs and saints. Lord Jesus, I think you have put a desire in me. If you will help me, please, I would like to make my offering. I want it to be my desire and my choice, provided that you want it, too, to live my life as you lived yours. I know that you lived an insignificant person in a little, despised town. I know that you rarely tasted luxury and never privilege, and that you resolutely refused to accept power. I know that you suffered rejection by leaders, abandonment by friends, and failure. I know. I can hardly bear the thought of it all. But it seems a towering wonderful thing that you might call me to follow you and stand with you. I will labor to bring God’s reign if you will give me the gift to do it.

(Mention your request here…)

St. Ignatius Loyola pray for us. Amen.

Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…

 

Day 2 – St. Ignatius Loyola Novena

Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Eternal Lord of all things, I feel your gaze on me. I sense that your Mother stands near, watching and that with you are all the great beings of heaven: angels and powers and martyrs and saints. Lord Jesus, I think you have put a desire in me. If you will help me, please, I would like to make my offering. I want it to be my desire and my choice, provided that you want it, too, to live my life as you lived yours. I know that you lived an insignificant person in a little, despised town. I know that you rarely tasted luxury and never privilege, and that you resolutely refused to accept power. I know that you suffered rejection by leaders, abandonment by friends, and failure. I know. I can hardly bear the thought of it all. But it seems a towering wonderful thing that you might call me to follow you and stand with you. I will labor to bring God’s reign if you will give me the gift to do it.

(Mention your request here…)

St. Ignatius Loyola pray for us. Amen.

Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…

Day 3 – St. Ignatius Loyola Novena

Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Eternal Lord of all things, I feel your gaze on me. I sense that your Mother stands near, watching and that with you are all the great beings of heaven: angels and powers and martyrs and saints. Lord Jesus, I think you have put a desire in me. If you will help me, please, I would like to make my offering. I want it to be my desire and my choice, provided that you want it, too, to live my life as you lived yours. I know that you lived an insignificant person in a little, despised town. I know that you rarely tasted luxury and never privilege, and that you resolutely refused to accept power. I know that you suffered rejection by leaders, abandonment by friends, and failure. I know. I can hardly bear the thought of it all. But it seems a towering wonderful thing that you might call me to follow you and stand with you. I will labor to bring God’s reign if you will give me the gift to do it.

(Mention your request here…)

St. Ignatius Loyola pray for us. Amen.

Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…

Day 4 – St. Ignatius Loyola Novena

Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Eternal Lord of all things, I feel your gaze on me. I sense that your Mother stands near, watching and that with you are all the great beings of heaven: angels and powers and martyrs and saints. Lord Jesus, I think you have put a desire in me. If you will help me, please, I would like to make my offering. I want it to be my desire and my choice, provided that you want it, too, to live my life as you lived yours. I know that you lived an insignificant person in a little, despised town. I know that you rarely tasted luxury and never privilege, and that you resolutely refused to accept power. I know that you suffered rejection by leaders, abandonment by friends, and failure. I know. I can hardly bear the thought of it all. But it seems a towering wonderful thing that you might call me to follow you and stand with you. I will labor to bring God’s reign if you will give me the gift to do it.

(Mention your request here…)

St. Ignatius Loyola pray for us. Amen.

Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…

Day 5 – St. Ignatius Loyola Novena

Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Eternal Lord of all things, I feel your gaze on me. I sense that your Mother stands near, watching and that with you are all the great beings of heaven: angels and powers and martyrs and saints. Lord Jesus, I think you have put a desire in me. If you will help me, please, I would like to make my offering. I want it to be my desire and my choice, provided that you want it, too, to live my life as you lived yours. I know that you lived an insignificant person in a little, despised town. I know that you rarely tasted luxury and never privilege, and that you resolutely refused to accept power. I know that you suffered rejection by leaders, abandonment by friends, and failure. I know. I can hardly bear the thought of it all. But it seems a towering wonderful thing that you might call me to follow you and stand with you. I will labor to bring God’s reign if you will give me the gift to do it.

(Mention your request here…)

St. Ignatius Loyola pray for us. Amen.

Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…

Day 6 – St. Ignatius Loyola Novena

Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Eternal Lord of all things, I feel your gaze on me. I sense that your Mother stands near, watching and that with you are all the great beings of heaven: angels and powers and martyrs and saints. Lord Jesus, I think you have put a desire in me. If you will help me, please, I would like to make my offering. I want it to be my desire and my choice, provided that you want it, too, to live my life as you lived yours. I know that you lived an insignificant person in a little, despised town. I know that you rarely tasted luxury and never privilege, and that you resolutely refused to accept power. I know that you suffered rejection by leaders, abandonment by friends, and failure. I know. I can hardly bear the thought of it all. But it seems a towering wonderful thing that you might call me to follow you and stand with you. I will labor to bring God’s reign if you will give me the gift to do it.

(Mention your request here…)

St. Ignatius Loyola pray for us. Amen.

Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…

Day 7 – St. Ignatius Loyola Novena

Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Eternal Lord of all things, I feel your gaze on me. I sense that your Mother stands near, watching and that with you are all the great beings of heaven: angels and powers and martyrs and saints. Lord Jesus, I think you have put a desire in me. If you will help me, please, I would like to make my offering. I want it to be my desire and my choice, provided that you want it, too, to live my life as you lived yours. I know that you lived an insignificant person in a little, despised town. I know that you rarely tasted luxury and never privilege, and that you resolutely refused to accept power. I know that you suffered rejection by leaders, abandonment by friends, and failure. I know. I can hardly bear the thought of it all. But it seems a towering wonderful thing that you might call me to follow you and stand with you. I will labor to bring God’s reign if you will give me the gift to do it.

(Mention your request here…)

St. Ignatius Loyola pray for us. Amen.

Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…

Day 8 – St. Ignatius Loyola Novena

Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Eternal Lord of all things, I feel your gaze on me. I sense that your Mother stands near, watching and that with you are all the great beings of heaven: angels and powers and martyrs and saints. Lord Jesus, I think you have put a desire in me. If you will help me, please, I would like to make my offering. I want it to be my desire and my choice, provided that you want it, too, to live my life as you lived yours. I know that you lived an insignificant person in a little, despised town. I know that you rarely tasted luxury and never privilege, and that you resolutely refused to accept power. I know that you suffered rejection by leaders, abandonment by friends, and failure. I know. I can hardly bear the thought of it all. But it seems a towering wonderful thing that you might call me to follow you and stand with you. I will labor to bring God’s reign if you will give me the gift to do it.

(Mention your request here…)

St. Ignatius Loyola pray for us. Amen.

Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…

Day 9 – St. Ignatius Loyola Novena

Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Eternal Lord of all things, I feel your gaze on me. I sense that your Mother stands near, watching and that with you are all the great beings of heaven: angels and powers and martyrs and saints. Lord Jesus, I think you have put a desire in me. If you will help me, please, I would like to make my offering. I want it to be my desire and my choice, provided that you want it, too, to live my life as you lived yours. I know that you lived an insignificant person in a little, despised town. I know that you rarely tasted luxury and never privilege, and that you resolutely refused to accept power. I know that you suffered rejection by leaders, abandonment by friends, and failure. I know. I can hardly bear the thought of it all. But it seems a towering wonderful thing that you might call me to follow you and stand with you. I will labor to bring God’s reign if you will give me the gift to do it.

(Mention your request here…)

St. Ignatius Loyola pray for us. Amen.

Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…

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