The Cardoner

Introduction

These pages are a project of the Australian Jesuits and are maintained by Jack Otto.

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Page Contents

1. Title page.
2. Brief Menu to other pages.
3. Introduction.
4. Contents.
5. General Information about the Cardoner.
6. Main pages to visit.
7. Acknowledgments and Contacts.

General Information

• The Cardoner is the name given to these pages. It is also the name of a river in Spain flowing into the Mediterranean Sea. It was on the bank of the River Cardoner and in a nearby cave at Manresa, where Ignatius of Loyola, who started the Jesuits, underwent some of the most intense mystical experiences of his life. Out of reflecting on these experiences and discerning the interior spirits came his Spiritual Exercises.

  Cardoner by Andrew Bullen SJ

  Now I am given to see
  ripples and currents of this river cast water lights
  which interlace into a diamond and flash white fire.
  From white light streams white light
  to suffuse all creation with its shining power.
  Now I am flooded with light,

  which was not so before.

  Now I see
  white light stream from the Cross,
  as if all life and love were concentrated there.
  The letters of the Holy Name are made of bent nails
  and surrounded by the halo of his thorns.
  Now I know the host of Christ's body,

  which was not so before.

  Now I see
  wherever life bears those wounds,
  the breath, the wind, of love is there.
  It hovers like white fire over all creation,
  for light and life and love are one.
  My road runs forever alongside this river,

  which now I see was not so before.

  (From Ignatius the Pilgrim - Poems for Prayer, by Andrew Bullen SJ. Jesuit Publications, 1992)

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Main Pages to Visit

• Go to the Index of Cardoner pages and recent material.

• The Jesuits in Australia.

  The Jesuits (Society of Jesus) are a religious order within the Catholic Church with works and ministries throughout Australia and the world.

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Acknowledgments and Contacts

Contacting Jack Otto, who maintains these pages with help from friends.

These pages are located at VicNet - Victoria's Network, Australia.

To the Cardoner Index and recent material.

To the Title Page, Menu or Page Contents