“No. Nothing is more practical than spirituality” – from the mysticism of St. Ignatius of Loyola to the mission of reconciliation of contemporary Jesuits

This paper presents, drawing on the example of Ignatian spirituality which inspires the Jesuit mission, the relationship between healthy spirituality and reconciliation. It shows spirituality as an element that actively and effectively leads to reconciliation. We begin by outlining the context of the issue under discussion. Here we consider selected biblical and historical themes. Then we move on to the main part of the paper, beginning with a look at the figure of St. Ignatius of Loyola. His personal background and mystical experiences led him to develop a method of leading people to a profound and liberating encounter with God, the Spiritual Exercises. They are the source of the phenomenon that Christian tradition calls Ignatian spirituality, which inspires the very practical work of the Jesuits and their  collaborators for reconciliation.