Discerning the Will of God: An Ignatian Guide to Christian Decision Making »

Timothy M. Gallagher, OMV, is a priest and a popular retreat leader who lectures around the world. He is the author of several books on Ignatian spirituality, including The Discernment of Spirits, The Examen Prayer, An Ignatian Introduction to Prayer, and Meditation and Contemplation. He lives in Boston.

Drawing from the timeless methods of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, this thoughtful meditation is enriched with examples and stories that offer practical and profound wisdom for aligning personal desires and goals with God’s will. With guidance on recognizing God’s infinite love, opening the heart to what God wants, making use of silence, the Eucharist, scripture, spiritual direction, finding clarity, and understanding discernment as part of the overall spiritual life in Christ, this discussion addresses questions asked by many Christians throughout life, such as What does God want for my life? Is it time to change jobs? and Should I marry? Focusing on major life decisions such as marriage and career, these insights can be adapted to any of life's decisions, helping the thoughtful Christian find a spiritually inspired mission. 

Acknowledgments xi

Introduction: When Faced with a Major Life Choice 1

Text of St. Ignatius 9

Part 1 Preparation

1 The Question: Which Choice Does God Want? 13

2 The Foundation: God's Infinite Love and Our Response 18

"We Love Because He First Loves Us" 18

"To Do Your Will Is My Delight" 25

3 The Disposition: Openness to Whatever God Wills 31

"Whatever You Want, Lord" 31

"Loved to the Death by Jesus Christ" 39

Sent by Jesus 45

4 The Means 50

Spiritual "Exercises" 50

Holy Eucharist 50

Sacred Spripture 52

Silence 55

Spiritual Direction 58

Review of Spiritual Experience 62

From Preparation to Discernment 64

5 Clarity beyond Doubting: The First Mode 69

"He Could Not Doubt about the Matter" 69

"This Certitude and Deep Peace" 71

"There Was No Doubting It" 71

"It Had Always Been Clear" 78

First Mode of Discernment: Questions to Consider 80

6 An Attraction of the Heart: The Second Mode 83

"With Deep Devotion and Tears" 83

"Experience of Consolations and Desolations" 86

"Again That Consolation Would Be Given Me" 88

"Only When There Was Peace in My Heart" 91

"The Room in My Heart" 92

"When I Was Most Joyful" 95

"Like a Magnet Drawing Me" 98

Second Mode of Discernment: Questions to Consider 100

7 A Preponderance of Reasons: The Third Mode 102

A Further Mode of Discernment 102

A Time of Tranquility 104

Third Mode of Discernment: First Way 106

"She Suggested Looking at the Advantages and Disadvantages" 110

Third Mode of Discernment: Second Way 113

"When I Took the First Point" 115

Third Mode of Discernment: Questions to Consider 118

Part 3 Fruit

8 The Value of theProcess of Discernment 123

Concluding the Process 123

The Process and Growth 126

The Process and Grace 131

9 The Fruit of Discernment 135

"And This Gives Me Peace and Joy" 135

"In Your Will Is Our Peace" 137

Appendix: Complete Text of St. Ignatius 141

Notes 145