Introduction to Rules 3 to 8 – The Second Week Rules for the Discernment of Spirits w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Episode 6 – Introduction to Rules 3 to 8 – The Second Week Rules for the Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide to a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher Fr. Gallagher offers an introduction to Rules 3 through 8 which primarily addresses the most common question in second mode discernment, "What about spiritual consolation with preceding cause?" Third Rule The third: with cause both the good angel and the bad can console the soul, for contrary ends: the good angel for the profit of the soul, that it may grow and rise from good to better; and the bad angel for the contrary, and later on to draw it to his damnable intention and malice. (331) Fourth Rule The fourth: It is proper to the bad angel, who takes on the appearance of an angel of light, to enter with the devout soul and to go out with himself; that is, to bring good and holy thoughts, conformed to such a just soul, and afterwards, little by little, he endeavors to go out, bringing the soul to his hidden deceits and perverse intentions. (332) Fifth Rule The fifth: We should give much attention to the course of the thoughts; and if the beginning, middle and end is all good, inclined to all good, it is a sign of the good angel; but if in the course of the thoughts that he brings, it ends in something bad, or distractive, or less good than the soul had proposed to do before, or if it weakens it, or disquiets, or troubles the soul, taking away the peace, tranquility and quiet, which it had before, it is a clear sign that it proceeds from the bad spirit, the enemy of our profit and eternal salvation. (333) Through a series of compelling conference talks, Fr. Gallagher carefully breaks open St. Ignatius of Loyola's Second Week Rules for Greater Discernment. This set of 8 "rules" (or guidelines) helps us to discern whether a seemingly good, noble, holy idea or feeling, often understood as a "spiritual consolation," could be a working of the enemy intending to lead us astray. He shows how all of us can learn to listen to and follow God's gentle leading in our daily lives. For other episodes in this series visit: The Second Week Rules for the Discernment Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – DH Page Discerning Hearts Questions for Reflection and Study Personal Reflection

1. Have you ever experienced spiritual consolation connected with a good decision or possibility and assumed that the consolation settled the question?
2. What helps you recognize the difference between consolation without preceding cause and consolation arising through prayer, Scripture, or another spiritual object?
3. When considering an important decision, do you look carefully at where a spiritual movement is likely to lead over time?
4. What can Élisabeth Leseur’s experience teach you about consolation that strengthens a person in love, vocation, and service?
5. Have you experienced something that seemed spiritually good at first but eventually began to weaken your prayer, responsibilities, or freedom?

Group Reflection or Study

1. Why is consolation with preceding cause more difficult to discern than consolation without preceding cause?
2. What makes Kathy’s possible move to the inner-city school a genuine Second Week discernment?
3. What is the key difference between Élisabeth Leseur’s consolation and St. Ignatius’s consolations at Manresa?
4. What does St. Ignatius mean when he teaches that both the good angel and the bad can console the soul “with cause”?
5. Why does Rule Three require us to examine where consolation leads rather than judging only by how spiritually good the experience feels?

This series is...