8. The Mysteries of the Life of Christ Our Lord (The Spiritual Exercises) (Ignatius of Loyola, St.)

Note. It is to be noted in all the following Mysteries, that all the words which are inclosed in parentheses are from the Gospel itself and not those which are outside.

And in each Mystery, for the most part, three Points will be found to meditate and contemplate on with greater ease.

St. Luke writes in the first Chapter [26-39].

First Point. The first Point is that the Angel St. Gabriel, saluting Our Lady, announced to her the Conception of Christ our Lord. "The Angel entering where Mary was, saluted her saying: 'Hail full of grace. You will conceive in your womb and shalt bring forth a son.'"

Second Point. The second, the Angel confirms what he said to Our Lady, telling of the conception of St. John Baptist, saying to her: "And behold your cousin Elizabeth hasconceived a son in her old age.'"

Third Point. The third, Our Lady answered the Angel: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord: be it done to me according to your word!'"

St. Luke speaks in the first Chapter [39-57].

First Point. First: As Our Lady visited Elizabeth, St. John Baptist, being in his mother's womb, felt the visitation which Our Lady made. "And when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Our Lady, the infant leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth, full of the Holy Ghost, cried out with a loud voice, and said: 'Blessed be among women and blessed be the fruit of your womb!'"

Second Point. Second: Our Lady sings the canticle, saying: "My soul does magnify the Lord!'"

Third Point. Third: "Mary abode with Elizabeth about three months: and then she returned to her house."

St. Luke speaks in the second Chapter [1-15].

First Point. First: Our Lady and her husband Joseph go from Nazareth to Bethlehem. "Joseph went up from Galilee to Bethlehem, to acknowledge subjection to Caesar, with Mary his spouse and wife, already with child."

Second Point. Second: "She brought forth her first-born Son and wrapped Him up with swaddling clothes and laid Him in the manger."

Third Point. Third: "There came a multitude of the heavenly army, which said: 'Glory be to God in the heavens.'"

St. Luke writes in the second Chapter [8-21].

First Point. First: The birth of Christ our Lord is manifested to the Shepherds by the Angel. "I manifest to you great Joy, for this day is born the Saviour of the world."

Second Point. Second: The Shepherds go to Bethlehem. "They came with haste and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant put in the manger."

Third Point. Third: "The Shepherds returned glorifying and praising the Lord."

St. Luke writes in the second Chapter [21].

First Point. First: They circumcised the Child Jesus.

Second Point. Second: "His Name was called Jesus, which was called by the Angel, before He was conceived in the womb."

Third Point. Third: They gave back the Child to His Mother, who had compassion for the Blood which came from her Son.

St. Matthew writes in the second Chapter [1-13].

First Point. First: The three Magi Kings, guiding themselves by the star, came to adore Jesus, saying: "We have seen His star in the East and are come to adore Him.'"

Second Point. Second: They adored Him and offered gifts to Him. "Falling down on the earth, they adored Him, and they offered Him gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh."

Third Point. Third: "They received answer while sleeping that they should not return to Herod, and went back by another way to their country."

St. Luke writes, Chapter 2.[23-39].

First Point. First: They bring the Child Jesus to the Temple, that He may be presented to the Lord as first-born; and they offer for Him "a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons."

Second Point. Second: Simeon coming to the Temple "took Him into his arms" saying: "Now You do dismiss Your servant, O Lord, in peace!'"

Third Point. Third: Anna "coming afterwards confessed to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all that were hoping for the redemption of Israel."

St. Matthew writes in the second Chapter [13-16].

First Point. First: Herod wanted to kill the Child Jesus, and so killed the Innocents, and before their death the Angel warned Joseph to fly into Egypt: "Arise and take the Child and His Mother, and fly to Egypt.'"

Second Point. Second: He departed for Egypt. "Who arising by night departed to Egypt."

Third Point. Third: He was there until the death of Herod.

St. Matthew writes in the second Chapter [19-23].

First Point. First: The Angel warns Joseph to return to Israel. "Arise and take the Child and His Mother and go to the land of Israel.'"

Second Point. Second: Rising, he came to the land of Israel.

Third Point. Third: Because Archelaus, son of Herod, was reigning in Judea, he withdrew into Nazareth.

St. Luke writes in the second Chapter [51, 52].

First Point. First: He was obedient to His parents: "He advanced in wisdom, age and grace."

Second Point. Second: It appears that He exercised the trade of carpenter, as St. Mark shows he means in the sixth chapter. "Perhaps this is that carpenter?"

St. Luke writes in the second Chapter [42-51].

First Point. First: Christ our Lord, of the age of twelve years, went up from Nazareth to Jerusalem.

Second Point. Second: Christ our Lord remained in Jerusalem, and His parents did not know it.

Third Point. Third: The three days passed, they found Him disputing in the Temple, and seated in the midst of the doctors, and His parents asking Him where He had been, He answered: "Did you not know that it behooves Me to be in the things which are My Father's?'"

St. Matthew writes in the third Chapter [13-17].

First Point. First: Christ our Lord, after having taken leave of His Blessed Mother, came from Nazareth to the River Jordan, where St. John Baptist was.

Second Point. Second: St. John baptized Christ our Lord, and wanting to excuse himself, thinking himself unworthy of baptizing Him, Christ said to him: "Do this for the present, for so it is necessary that we fulfill all justice.'"

Third Point. Third: "The Holy Spirit came and the voice of the Father from heaven affirming: "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased.'"

St. Luke writes in the fourth Chapter [1-14] and St. Matthew fourth Chapter [1-12].

First Point. First: After being baptized, He went to the Desert, where He fasted forty days and forty nights.

Second Point. Second: He was tempted by the enemy three times. "The tempter coming to Him said to Him: "If You be the Son of God, say that these stones be turned into bread.' 'Cast Thyself down from here.' 'If prostrate on the earth You will adore me, I will give You all this which You see.'"

Third Point. Third: "The Angels came and ministered to Him."

First Point. First: it seems that St. Peter and St. Andrew were called three times: first, to some knowledge; this is clear from St. John in the first Chapter: secondly, to follow Christ in some way with the purpose of returning to possess what they had left, as St. Luke says in the fifth Chapter: thirdly, to follow Christ our Lord forever, as St. Matthew says in the fourth Chapter and St. Mark in the first.

Second Point. Second: He called Philip, as is in the first Chapter of St. John, and Matthew as Matthew himself says in the ninth Chapter.

Third Point. Third: He called the other Apostles, of whose special call the Gospel does not make mention.

And three other things also would be to be considered:

The first, how the Apostles were of uneducated and low condition;

The second, the dignity to which they were so sweetly called;

The third, the gifts and graces by which they were raised above all the Fathers of the New and Old Testaments.

St. John writes Chapter 2.[1-12].

First Point. First: Christ our Lord was invited with His Disciples to the marriage.

Second Point. Second: The Mother tells her Son of the failure of the wine, saying: "They have no wine,'"and bade the servants: "Whatsoever He shall say to you, do ye.'"

Third Point. Third: "He changed the water into wine and manifested His glory, and His Disciples believed in Him."

St. John writes Chapter 2.[13-18].

First Point. First: With a whip made of cords, He cast out of the Temple all those who were selling.

Second Point. Second: He turned over the tables and money of the rich bankers who were in the Temple.

Third Point. Third: To the poor who sold doves, He mildly said: "Take these things from here, and make not My house a house of traffic.'"

St. Matthew writes in the fifth Chapter [1-48].

First Point. First: To His beloved Disciples He speaks apart about the Eight Beatitudes: "Blessed the poor of spirit, the meek, the merciful, those who weep, those who suffer hunger and thirst for justice, the clean of heart, the peaceful, and those who suffer persecution.'"

Second Point. Second: He exhorts them to use their talents well: "So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father Who is in the heavens.'"

Third Point. Third: He shows Himself not a transgressor, but a perfector of the law; explaining the precept of not killing, not committing fornication, not being guilty of perjury, and of loving enemies. "I say to you that you love your enemies and do good to them that hate you.'"

St. Matthew writes Chapter 8.[23-28].

First Point. First: Christ our Lord being asleep at sea, a great tempest arose.

Second Point. Second: His Disciples, frightened, awakened Him. Whom He reprehends for the little faith which they had, saying to them: "What do you fear, ye of little faith!'"

Third Point. Third: He commanded the winds and the sea to cease: and, so ceasing, the sea became calm: at which the men wondered, saying: "Who is this whom the wind and the sea obey?'"

St. Matthew writes Chapter 14.[22-34].

First Point. First: Christ our Lord being on the mountain, made His Disciples go to the little boat. And having dismissed the multitude, He commenced to pray alone.

Second Point. Second: The little boat was beaten by the waves. To which Christ came walking on the water; and the Disciples thought it was an apparition.

Third Point. Third: Christ saying to them: "It is I, fear not,'" St. Peter, by His command, came to Him walking on the water. Doubting, he commenced to sink, but Christ our Lord freed him and reprehended him for his little faith, and then, as He entered into the little boat, the wind ceased.

St. Matthew writes in the tenth Chapter

First Point. First: Christ called His beloved Disciples and gave them power to cast out the demons from human bodies and to cure all the diseases.

Second Point. Second: He teaches them of prudence and patience: "Behold, I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye therefore wise as serpents and simple as doves.'"

Third Point. Third: He gives them the way to go. "Do not want to possess gold nor silver: what you have freely received, freely give.'" And He gave them matter to preach. "Going you shall preach, saying: 'The Kingdom of Heaven has approached.'"

St. Luke writes in the seventh Chapter [36-50].

First Point. First: Magdalen enters where Christ our Lord is seated at the table in the house of the Pharisee. She bore a vase of alabaster full of ointment.

Second Point. Second: Standing behind the Lord near His feet, she commenced to wash them with tears and dried them with the hairs of her head, and kissed His feet and anointed them with ointment.

Third Point. Third: When the Pharisee accused Magdalen, Christ speaks in her defence, saying: "Many sins are forgiven her because she loves much.' And He said to the woman: 'Your faith hasmade you safe: go in peace.'"

St. Matthew writes in the fourteenth Chapter [13-22].

First Point. First: The Disciples, as it was getting late, ask Christ to dismiss the multitude of men who were with Him.

Second Point. Second: Christ our Lord commands that they bring Him bread, and commanded that they should be seated at the table, and blessed and broke and gave the bread to His Disciples, and the Disciples to the multitude.

Third Point. Third: "They did eat and were filled and there were twelve baskets over."

St. Matthew writes in the seventeenth Chapter [1-14].

First Point. First: Taking along His beloved Disciples, Peter, James, John, Christ our Lord was transfigured, and His face did shine as the sun, and His garments as the snow.

Second Point. Second: He was speaking with Moses and Elias.

Third Point. Third: St. Peter saying that they would make three tabernacles, a voice from heaven sounded, which said: "This is My beloved Son, hear ye Him!'" When His Disciples heard this voice, they fell for fear on their faces; and Christ our Lord touched them and said to them: " Arise and fear not. Tell this vision to no one until the Son of Man be risen.'"

John, Chapter 11.[1-46].

First Point. First: Martha and Mary sent word to Christ our Lord of the illness of Lazarus. Knowing it, He delayed for two days, that the miracle might be more evident.

Second Point. Second: Before He raises him, He asks the one and the other to believe, saying: "I am the resurrection and life; he who believeth in Me, although he be dead, shall live.'"

Third Point. Third: He raises him, after having wept and prayed. And the manner of raising him was by commanding: "Lazarus, come forth!'"

Matthew, Chapter 26.[1-14].

First Point. First: The Lord sups in the house of Simon the Leper, along with Lazarus.

Second Point. Second: Mary pours the ointment on the head of Christ.

Third Point. Third: Judas murmurs, saying: "For what is this waste of ointment?'" But He a second time excuses Magdalen, saying: "Why are you troublesome to this woman? for she haswrought a good work upon Me.'"

Matthew, Chapter 21.[1-12].

First Point. First: The Lord sends for the ass and the foal, saying: "Loose them and bring them to Me, and if any one shall say anything to you, say ye that the Lord hasneed of them, and forthwith he will let them go."

Second Point. Second: He mounted upon the ass, which was covered with the garments of the Apostles.

Third Point. Third: They went out to receive Him, strewing in the way their garments and the branches of the trees, saying: "Save us, Son of David, blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord: Save us in the heights!'"

Luke, Chapter 19.[47, 48].

First Point. First: He was every day teaching in the Temple.

Second Point. Second: The preaching finished, since there was no one who would receive Him in Jerusalem, He used to return to Bethany.

Matthew 26; John 13.

First Point. First: He ate the Paschal Lamb with His twelve Apostles, to whom He foretold His death. "In truth, I say to you that one of you is to sell Me.'"

Second Point. Second: He washed the Disciples' feet, even those of Judas, commencing from St. Peter, who, considering the Majesty of the Lord and his own baseness, not wanting to consent, said: "Lord, do You wash my feet?" But St. Peter did not know that in that He gave an example of humility, and for this He said: "I have given you an example, that you may do as I did.'"

Third Point. Third: He instituted the most sacred sacrifice of the Eucharist, to be the greatest mark of His love, saying: "Take and eat.'" The Supper finished, Judas went forth to sell Christ our Lord.

Matthew, Chapter 26, and Mark, Chapter 14.

First Point. First: The Supper finished, and singing the hymn, the Lord went to Mount Olivet with His Disciples, who were full of fear; and leaving the eight in Gethsemani, He said: "Sit ye here till I go yonder to pray.'"

Second Point. Second: Accompanied by St. Peter, St. James and St. John, He prayed three times to the Lord, saying: "Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from Me. Nevertheless, let not My will be done, but Your.'" And being in agony, He prayed the longer.

Third Point. Third: He came into such fear, that He said: "My soul is sorrowful to death,'" and He sweated blood so plentiful, that St. Luke says: "His sweat was as drops of blood which were running on the earth;" which supposes that the garments were already full of blood.

Matthew 26, Luke 22, Mark 15.

First Point. First: The Lord lets Himself be kissed by Judas and taken as a robber, to whom He said: "You have come out as to a robber to apprehend Me with clubs and arms; when I was daily with you in the Temple teaching and you did not take Me." And He saying: "Whom seek ye?" the enemies fell on the earth.

Second Point. Second: St. Peter wounded a servant of the High Priest, and the meek Lord said to Peter: "Return your sword into its place,'" and He healed the wound of the servant.

Third Point. Third: Left by His Disciples, He is taken to Annas, where St. Peter, who had followed Him from afar, denied Him once, and a blow was given Christ by one saying to Him: "Answerest You the High Priest so?"

First Point. First: They take Him bound from the house of Annas to the house of Caiphas, where St. Peter denied Him twice, and looked at by the Lord, going forth he wept bitterly.

Second Point. Second: Jesus was all that night bound.

Third Point. Third: Besides, those who held Him captive mocked Him and struck Him and covered His face and gave Him buffets and asked Him: "Prophesy to us, who is he that struck You?'" and like things, blaspheming against Him.

Matthew 26, Luke 23, Mark 15.

First Point. First: The whole multitude of the Jews take Him to Pilate and accuse Him before him, saying: "We have found that this man tried to ruin our people and forbade to pay tribute to Caesar.'"

Second Point. Second: Pilate, after having examined Him once and again, said: "I find no fault.'"

Third Point. Third: The robber Barabbas was preferred to Him. "They all cried, saying: 'Give us not this man, but Barabbas!'"

First Point. First: Pilate sent Jesus, a Galilean, to Herod, Tetrarch of Galilee.

Second Point. Second: Herod, curious, questioned Him much and He answered him nothing, although the Scribes and Priests were accusing Him constantly.

Third Point. Third: Herod despised Him with his army, clothing Him with a white garment.

Matthew 26, Luke 23, Mark 15, and John 19.

First Point. First: Herod sends Him back to Pilate. By this they were made friends, who before were enemies.

Second Point. Second: Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him; and the soldiers made a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they clothed Him with purple and came to Him and said: "Hail, King of the Jews!'", and they gave Him buffets.

Third Point. Third: He brought Him forth in the presence of all. "Then Jesus went forth crowned with thorns and clothed with a purple garment, and Pilate said to them: 'Here is the Man!'" and when the Priests saw Him, they shouted, saying: "Crucify, crucify Him!'"

John 19 [15-20].

First Point. First: Pilate, seated as judge, delivered Jesus to them to crucify Him, after the Jews had denied Him for king, saying: "We have no king but Caesar!"

Second Point. Second: He took the Cross on His shoulders and not being able to carry it, Simon of Cyrene was constrained to carry it after Jesus.

Third Point. Third: They crucified Him between two thieves, setting this title: "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews."

John 19 [25-37].

First Point. First: He spoke seven words on the Cross: He prayed for those who were crucifying Him; He pardoned the thief; He recommended St. John to His Mother and His Mother to St. John; He said with a loud voice: "I thirst,'" and they gave Him gall and vinegar; He said that He was abandoned; He said: "It is consummated"; He said: "Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit!"

Second Point. Second: The sun was darkened, the stones broken, the graves opened, the veil of the Temple was rent in two from above below.

Third Point. Third: They blaspheme Him, saying: "You were He who destroyest the Temple of God; come down from the Cross." His garments were divided; His side, struck with the lance, sent forth water and blood.

First Point. First: He was let down from the Cross by Joseph and Nicodemus, in presence of His sorrowful Mother.

Second Point. Second: The Body was carried to the Sepulchre and anointed and buried.

Third Point. Third: Guards were set.

First Point. First: He appeared to the Virgin Mary. This, although it is not said in Scripture, is included in saying that He appeared to so many others, because Scripture supposes that we have understanding, as it is written: "Are you also without understanding?"

Mark, Chapter 16.[9].

First Point. First: Mary Magdalen, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome come very early to the Sepulchre saying: "Who shall lift for us the stone from the door of the Sepulchre?'"

Second Point. Second: They see the stone lifted, and the Angel, who says: "You seek Jesus of Nazareth. He is already risen, He is not here.'"

Third Point. Third: He appeared to Mary, who remained about the Sepulchre after the others had gone.

St. Matthew, last Chapter.

First Point. First: These Maries go from the Sepulchre with fear and joy, wanting to announce to the Disciples the Resurrection of the Lord.

Second Point. Second: Christ our Lord appeared to them on the way, saying to them: "Hail:" and they approached and threw themselves at His feet and adored Him.

Third Point. Third: Jesus says to them: "Fear not! Go and tell My brethren that they go into Galilee, for there they shall see Me.'"

Last Chapter of Luke [12, 34].