The Jesuits Among Muslims In Asia (JAMIA) have published a book that seeks to contribute to the theological discourse on Christian-Muslim dialogue through the teachings of St Ignatius of Loyola, particularly the Spiritual Exercises, and how Ignatian Spirituality is lived and shared in the 21st century by Jesuits and companions with their Muslim friends.
“Journeying with Muslims the Ignatian Way” is JAMIA’s response to the challenges of Muslim-Catholic relations in Asia. It was launched on 1 September during the Ignatian Spirituality Workshop held in Manila. The book highlights the similarities in the spirituality of Islam and Ignatian Spirituality.
“The shared faith in the oneness of God, to discern His will, and subsequently submit to it is a consistent thread in the book,” says the book’s editor Rene Oliveros. “The God-given spiritualties of St Ignatius of Loyola and Prophet Muhammad are both rooted in prayer. A Muslim’s fidelity to the five daily prayers (al-salat) is in sync with the Ignatian fidelity to the ‘examen of consciousness’ that St Ignatius required of his companions.”
Fr James Hanvey SJ, the Secretary for the Service of Faith of the Society of Jesus, notes in his Afterword the book’s use of the lens of the Spiritual Exercises in structuring and guiding the different levels of interreligious engagement, and how this may seem like an unusual methodology. “However,” he said, “reading these contributions, we can begin to see its originality and creative possibilities.”
The anthology contains 13 articles written mostly by Jesuits from the conferences of Asia Pacific and South Asia but also by a religious sister and other lay members of JAMIA active in the study of Islam and engaged in solidarity actions with Muslims. For example, Sr Gerardette Philips RSCJ writes about The Way to Inner Freedom using the spiritual depths offered by the Spiritual Exercises and Sufism, while Mona Lisa Pangan chronicles her experience in praying with young Muslims using Spiritual Conversations.
Both the apostolic plans of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific, and the Jesuit Conference of South Asia emphasise a deep desire to share the charism of Ignatian Spirituality with Muslims, while at the same time to listen sincerely to their spiritual riches. The authors hope that the publication can offer inspiration to those seeking guidance and enlightenment in the complex and fraught field of interreligious dialogue.
The pdf version of Journeying with Muslims the Ignatian Way is free to download and read here.