Dilexit Nos §145

¹⁴⁵ Saint Ignatius brings his contemplations to a crescendo at the foot of the cross and invites the retreatant to ask the crucified Lord with great affection, “as one friend to another, as a servant to his master”, what he or she must do for him. The progression of the Exercises culminates in the “Contemplation to Attain Love”, which gives rise to thanksgiving and the offering of one’s “memory, understanding and will” to the heart which is the fount and origin of every good thing. This interior contemplation is not the fruit of our understanding and effort, but is to be implored as a gift.