With the method of St. Ignatius
Luigi Novarese began an experience that no one had ever attempted: organizing spiritual exercise classes for people with disabilities.
Helping the suffering means taking care of their spiritual dimension as well. Blessed Luigi Novarese understood the enormous importance of the inner world of the sick person in determining his attitude toward illness. That is why he decided to deal with it by outlining in his writings the itinerary of a pedagogy aimed at the spiritual formation of the sick according to the traditional method of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
Novarese teaches how to experience oneself through an inner journey guided by prayer and the Gospel message. He activates the import of the spirit and brings to light the vitality deadened in the suffering body.
Such was the success of the first Spiritual Exercises courses held at the Sanctuary of Oropa, in Piedmont, in 1952 that Don Novarese was faced with a specific request: the sick wanted to pray in a suitable building that was free of architectural barriers and made them feel comfortable. Thus, the project was born to build the “Immaculate Heart of Mary” House in Re, Val Vigezzzo, and a few years later in Valleluogo di Ariano Irpino (Av).
In both the Houses of Re and Valleluogo, spiritual exercises are dedicated to suffering.
Abroad, where the Silent Workers of the Cross are present, spirituality days foster deep formation in the Christian life, capable of leading to the holiness of life and an effective apostolate for the suffering.
