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- Title: Spiritual Exercises
- Author: St. Ignatius Loyola
- Narrator: Phil Chenevert
- Length: 03:38:37
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 02/02/2015
- Publisher: LibriVox
- Genre: Religion & Spirituality, Christianity
- ISBN13: SABLIB9787021
As I settled into my worn leather armchair – the same one where I first encountered Augustine’s “Confessions” as a graduate student – I pressed play on Phil Chenevert’s narration of “Spiritual Exercises” with both scholarly curiosity and personal anticipation. The crackling fireplace seemed to mirror the inner fire Ignatius sought to kindle in his readers, creating an atmosphere where 16th-century spirituality could converse with modern sensibilities.
“The Text Through Academic Lenses”
St. Ignatius Loyola’s manual unfolds like a medieval illuminator’s sketchbook – deceptively simple structural outlines waiting for the colors of personal experience. Having taught mystical literature for fifteen years, I find his four-week progression (from sin’s recognition to Christ’s resurrection) mirrors Dante’s “Divine Comedy” in psychological sophistication. The ‘Principle and Foundation’ section particularly resonates, its call to indifference (‘not a lack of caring, but freedom from attachment’) echoing Buddhist non-attachment while remaining distinctly Christian.
What makes this text endure beyond seminary classrooms? Its hybrid nature as both cognitive framework (the ‘Examen’ prayer’s methodical review) and embodied practice (imaginative contemplation of Gospel scenes). I recall guiding students through the ‘Two Standards’ meditation last spring – their papers revealed how Ignatius’ military metaphors helped millennials conceptualize spiritual warfare with remarkable relevance.
“The Audiobook Alchemy”
Phil Chenevert’s narration achieves something rare for theological works: precision without pedantry. His baritone carries the weight of Ignatius’ Spanish origins (subtle Iberian vowels on ‘Magis’) while avoiding melodrama during emotionally charged passages like the ‘Three Classes of Men’ parable. The pacing honors the text’s meditative purpose – his pause after ‘Take, Lord, receive…’ allowed me to internally complete the prayer, much as my Jesuit mentor taught me during a retreat in Boston.
LibriVox’s production, though lacking studio polish, enhances the text’s raw quality. Occasional background hums reminded me of hearing monastic chant in ancient chapels where perfect acoustics matter less than sincere devotion. Listeners craving immersive soundscapes may prefer contemporary adaptations, but this version’s simplicity suits the Exercises’ directive to ‘find God in all things,’ even imperfect recordings.
“Comparative Perspectives”
While teaching comparative mysticism, I’ve paired this with Teresa of Ávila’s “Interior Castle” – where she explores the soul as a crystalline mansion, Ignatius maps it as a battlefield. Both approaches reveal Catholicism’s genius for accommodating diverse spiritual temperaments. The Exercises also share surprising common ground with cognitive behavioral therapy techniques; I’ve used the ‘Discernment of Spirits’ framework in literature courses to analyze characters’ motivations with remarkable success.
“Practical Wisdom for Modern Listeners”
Though designed for 30-day retreats, Chenevert’s 4.5-hour narration adapts well to commutes or morning rituals. I tested this by practicing the ‘Examen’ during subway rides – an experiment that transformed mundane delays into moments of reflection. The text’s manual-like quality (meant for spiritual directors) initially challenges solo listeners, but Ignatius’ recurring themes create their own guidance system.
“Limitations and Gifts”
Newcomers may struggle with medieval cosmology (the ‘Three Sins’ meditation assumes geocentrism) and military imagery. Yet these very anachronisms invite creative reinterpretation – much as Shakespeare’s histories speak beyond their Tudor contexts. The absence of a living spiritual director (crucial for traditional practice) is mitigated by Ignatius’ meticulous instructions, though I’d recommend supplementing with contemporary guides like Timothy Gallagher’s “The Examen Prayer”.
“Conclusion”
This audiobook offers more than historical insight – it’s an invitation to participatory reading. As Chenevert’s voice faded after the final ‘Contemplation for Attaining Love,’ I recalled my first visit to Loyola’s chapel in Spain, where sunlight through stained glass threw ruby patterns across his original manuscript. Listening to these Exercises, I found similar illumination: ancient words becoming prismatic, casting new light on modern dilemmas. For scholars and seekers alike, this free recording makes Ignatius’ wisdom accessible without diluting its transformative potential.
In scholarly solidarity and shared contemplation,
Prof. Emily Chen
