Vigils Reading

CONSOLATION AND DESOLATION

From “The Spiritual Exercises” of St Ignatius of Loyola6

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I call it consolation when an interior movement is aroused in the soul, by

which it is inflamed with love of its Creator and Lord, and as a consequence, can

love no creature on the face of the earth for its own sake, but only in the Creator

of them all. It is likewise consolation when one sheds tears that move to the

love of God, whether it be because of sorrow for sins, or because of the sufferings

of Christ our Lord, or for any other reason that is immediately directed to the

praise and service of God. Finally, I call consolation every increase of faith,

hope, and love, and all interior joy that invites and attracts to what is heavenly

and to the salvation of one’s soul by filling it with peace and quiet in its Creator

and Lord.

I call it desolation what is entirely the opposite of what is described above,

as darkness of soul, turmoil of spirit, inclination to what is low and earthly,

restlessness rising from many disturbances and temptations which lead to want

of faith, want of hope, want of love. The soul is wholly slothful, tepid, sad, and

separated, as it were, from its Creator and Lord. For just as consolation is the

opposite of desolation, so the thoughts that spring from consolation are the

opposite of those that spring from desolation.

In time of desolation we should never make any change, but remain firm

and constant in the resolution and decision which guided us the day before the

desolation, or in the decision to which we adhered in the preceding consolation.

For just as in consolation the good spirit guides and counsels us, so in desolation

the evil spirit guides and counsels. Following his counsels we can never find the

way to a right decision.

Though in desolation we must never change our former resolutions, it will

be very advantageous to intensify our activity against the desolation. We can

insist more upon prayer, upon meditation, and on much examination of

ourselves. We can make an effort in a suitable way to do some penance.

When we are in desolation, we should be mindful that God has left us to

our natural powers to resist the different agitations and temptations of the

enemy in order to try us. We can resist with the help of God, which always

remains, though we may not clearly perceive it. For though God has taken from

us the abundance of fervor and overflowing love and the intensity of His favors,

nevertheless, we have sufficient grace for eternal salvation.

When one is in desolation, he should strive to persevere in patience. This

reacts against the vexations that have overtaken him. Let him consider, too,

that consolation will soon return, and in the meantime, he must diligently use

the means against desolation which have been given above.

6 Trans., Louis J Puhl SJ, Loyola Chicago, 316. 3. pp 142-143.13