This is a book of extraordinary importance in the history of the Society of Jesus and the Catholic Reformation of the 16th and 17th centuries since it helps us to see and experience at first hand the original spirit of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

 

These Exercises had a tremendous impact in their day and continue to be influential today through various forms of retreats.  They provide a first-hand experience because it is clear that at some point Ignatius commissioned his companion and aide Jerome Nadal to put together a collection of engravings that would illustrate and illuminate the scenes of the Gospel presented in the Exercises as objects for imaginative prayer.

 

Nadal also added notes to each engraving as detailed directions on how to focus imaginatively, selectively and prayerfully on various sections of each work.  And finally, as the original title emphasizes, all this is organically connected to the sequential Liturgies of the Church year.  All together, historically, artistically and spiritually this is a work where the word ’seminal’ genuinely applies.