The 16th century in Spain was a turning point for the whole world. The New World was gradually being discovered by European explorers, the Renaissance reached its peak, and it gave us three of the greatest mystics of the Christian tradition, people whose writings on the spiritual life have for centuries guided those seeking a greater union with God.
St Theresa of Avila and St John of the Cross were both Carmelites. The third was St Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits and a person of exceptional mystical experiences.
The difference between Ignatius and the Carmelites is that Ignatius’ spirituality is transferable to ordinary, daily living.
How do we find in our lives the intimacy of the engagement with God, in the ordinary and every day that is the hallmark of Ignatian spirituality? A spirituality that is just as Trinitarian, as it is mystical, just as wonderful as it is also down-to-earth.
That’s what Fr Michael Kelly, publisher of La Civiltà Cattolica, English edition, and Fr Brian O’Leary, Emeritus Professor of Spiritual Theology at the Milltown Institute in Dublin, explore in this podcast.
