10 Weeks to Spiritual Advancement: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises

Deanna Bartalini, an Ignatian trained spiritual director, recommends a new book by Father Ed Broom, OMV.

10 Weeks to Spiritual Advancement: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises

By Father Ed Broom, OMV

Published by Sophia Institute Press

There are many translations and variations of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Some are direct translations of his original work, meant to be done as a 30 day silent retreat. Others give excerpts of his suggested weeks, while remaining consistent to the 4 weeks of the Exercises, following the same theme for each week.

Recently, Father Ed Broom, OMV wrote a 10-week guide based on his experiences of giving the retreat in this way to many different groups. The book is 10 Weeks to Spiritual Advancement: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to ethe Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, published by Sophia Institute Press.

How to Approach this Book

The most important thing I will say about this book is that it is not a book to read, in the typical sense. It is a book to use to pray the Spiritual Exercises. Reading it will not help you grow in your spiritual life. In fact, trying to read it without praying may even confuse you.

It is important to read the Introduction as that is where the instructions are for you to follow to gain the most fruit from this endeavor. There are also video presentations for each week led by Father Ed Broom. You can find those on OMVUSA.org.

Before you begin the Exercises, decide if you want to have a small group, a few other people you want to share this journey with and can commit to it. Youi might also talk to a priest or spiritual director and ask them to be “on call” if you have any questions. Consider to if you have the time for an hour of daily prayer with scripture.

I can tell you, both as having done the Spiritual Exercises and taken others through them, that it is life-changing and well worth the time and effort.

What Is in the Book?

This book, along with a Bible and journal, are all you need for the 10-week guide. The book is broken up into, yes, 10 weeks. In those 10 weeks you move from praying with Ignatius’ “First Principle and Foundation” to Sign, Mercy, and Confession; then you look deeply at the life of Jesus, His Passion, Death and Resurrection. Fr. Broom also includes a week meditating on “The Two Standards,” “The Three Classes of Men,” and “The Three Kinds of Humility.”

All of these weeks with Scripture passages and prayers and meditations are included in the Exercises Ignatius prayed, wrote, and led. Why do I say that? To tell you that these words, this path, these Exercises have withstood the test of time.

Father Broom, in attrition to explaining how to pray with Scripture using Lectio Divina and Ignatian Contemplation, he includes prayers to use each week. He gives an in-depth explanation of what a Colloquy is and how to pray it.

An extended examination of conscience based on the 10 Commandments and daily Examen outline is provided.

The Structure of Each Week

Each week is one chapter. It is important to complete the weeks in order. The week begins with an overview of the theme of the week. Each day has a grace to ask for and a reading from the Spiritual Exercises. Then, the Scripture is given for the day with a brief reading to introduce the topic of the day. For each Scripture passage, Father Broom provides you with ideas you can mediate on for your prayer time. Then, there is a closing prayer or colloquy.

When you are done, you write down the important thoughts, ideas, realizations, or whatever happened during your prayer time that you want to remember.

One thing to note is that you may not get to pray with all the suggestions Father makes. That is okay. One of the key hopes of Ignatius is that we go into prayer more deeply, rather than doing many things in a shallow way.

Who Is This For?

It is my very humble opinion that everyone would benefit from praying the Spiritual Exercises. And I think this book would be a wonderful way to do that. I do think doing this with a small group, as in 3 or 4 people, would be helpful. It helps you focus and you can encourage each other. Plus, you will have someone to talk with about your prayer.

An important factor to consider is your time. Do you have the time to do this and do it well? Go into these Spiritual Exercises with the understanding that other activities may have to be put aside to pray. Consider this from both a practical and spiritual perspective.

If you are ready to give your spiritual life an infusion of prayer, knowing the graces you will receive are immeasurable, I highly recommend this book.

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Copyright 2026 Deanna Bartalini
Images: (top) detail from cover

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