What is the difference between consolation and desolation?

Consolations enable us to be hopeful and to look forward. They don’t remove the pain but they do bring us energy and comfort. When confronted with the desolations of death or grief we can be helped by the consolations of gratefulness, hope and community.

Why is spiritual consolation and desolation important?

In this sense, spiritual consolations and desolations serve as precious guiding tools for those among us seeking in the Lord which direction life is taking. Spiritual consolation draws our hearts towards God. It directs our focus beyond ourselves, so that we can see the joys and sorrows of other people.

What is discernment in Ignatian Spirituality?

Pondering and noticing interior movements of attraction and heaviness are at the heart of Ignatian discernment. Discernment involves prayer and weighing facts and feelings about the several good choices which ultimately leads to a choice about what is the best fit for an individual.

What does spiritual desolation mean?

A person dwells in a state of desolation when she or he is moving away from God’s active presence in the world.

What are spiritual consolations?

Spiritual consolations are always in reference to God or something related to God, though they do not follow by necessity any of man’s activities or services in reference to God; rather, the love and service of God may be accompanied by difficulty, suffering, and trials.

What is the gift of discerning spirits?

Paul the Apostle mentions the gift of discerning of spirits in 1 Corinthians 12:10. John Chrysostom, in his interpretation of this passage, says that these words mean the ability to tell who is spiritual and who is not, who is a prophet and who is not, as Paul wrote at the time of many false prophets.

What is desolation synonym?

In this page you can discover 42 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for desolation, like: bleakness, ravaging, wretchedness, demolition, emptiness, barrenness, misery, forlornness, desert, ruin and bareness.

What does spiritual consolation feel like?

In general, consolation is the delight or satisfaction experienced when distress or suffering is alleviated or positive support and encouragement are given.