George Aschenbrenner, S.J., director, Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth
"Spiritual directors will find a gold mine here of help in understanding and giving the Exercises."


George R. Murphy, S.J., adjunct lecturer in spirituality at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley
"Barry's book is well worth reading and reflecting on for new and experienced directors as well as for students."


Book Description
As more and more people begin to reclaim their spiritual heritage, long-overlooked traditions resurface, offering seekers new ways to rekindle their spiritual selves. The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola is such a tradition, and its recovery in the church has sparked the interest of many believers—religious and laypeople alike. In light of this resurgence, Fr. William A. Barry, a director of the Spiritual Exercises for more than thirty years, offers Letting God Come Close, a guide that shows spiritual directors how to effectively and creatively help individuals meet the living God through the Exercises. Using clear, down-to-earth examples from his own experience, Fr. Barry hopes to instill in the director the trust, confidence, and skills needed to help retreatants approach God. Spiritual directors and anyone interested in learning more about this increasingly popular practice will find Fr. Barry’s method to be challenging, innovative, and yet faithful to St. Ignatius’s intent.


From the Publisher
In this dynamic guide, Father Barry explains different methods directors can encourage their retreatants to use during the Exercises, such as imaginative prayer and "touchstone experiences" that help individuals access higher levels of spiritual contemplation. Using well-chosen examples from the Bible, religious literature, and from psychological and religious professionals, Barry reveals the modern-day relevance of these centuries-old exercises. His insights will pave the way for even further expansion of this increasingly popular and enlightening practice.


About the Author
William A. Barry, S.J., entered the Society of Jesus in 1950 and was ordained in 1962. The author of more than ten books, he also has a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Michigan. Currently, he trains directors, gives the Exercises, writes on Ignatian spirituality, and serves as the codirector of the New England tertianship program.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A guide to the Spiritual Exercises for directors . . .

With the rediscovery of Ignatian spirituality spurred by the Second Vatican Council, individual directed retreats of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola are commonplace. On any given day in the United States, hundreds of people are making the Exercises. As a result of this recovery of tradition, the Spiritual Exercises have taken on a new life in the church.

Having served as a spiritual director for more than thirty years, Fr. William Barry has honed his approach to directing the Exercises, an approach that is considered imaginative, innovative, and yet faithful to the intent of Ignatius. He uses clear, down-to-earth examples from his own experience to instill in the director the trust, confidence, and skills he or she needs to help the retreatant approach God.

About the Author:
William A. Barry, S.J., entered the Society of Jesus in 1950 and was ordained in 1962. The author of more than ten books, he also has a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Michigan. Currently, he trains directors, gives the Exercises, writes on Ignatian spirituality, and serves as the codirector of the New England tertianship program.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

"Spiritual directors will find a gold mine here of help in understanding and giving the Exercises." — George Aschenbrenner, S.J., director, Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth