Rule 5 - Spiritual Desolation:
A Time for Fidelity
We have all experienced this reality of the spiritual life: the heaviness of heart, the darkness and disturbance in our souls, the pull to low and earthly things. In Rule 4, we learned that St. Ignatius named this experience spiritual desolation.
Now, in Rule 5, St. Ignatius teaches us one of his most practical and essential counsels: when in a time of spiritual desolation, never make a change in our spiritual resolutions. Instead, he advises us to remain firm in the spiritual resolutions we made before the desolation, particularly those made during a time of consolation or tranquility. If applied well, this one rule can bring us safely through almost any darkness.
The Text of Rule 5
Fifth Rule.
The fifth: in time of desolation never make a change, but be firm and constant in the proposals and determination in which one was the day preceding such desolation, or in the determination in which one was in the preceding consolation. Because, as in consolation the good spirit guides and counsels us more, so in desolation the bad spirit, with whose counsels we cannot find the way to a right decision.
What Does Rule 5 Mean?
As we learned in Rule 4, spiritual desolation is the felt experience of being drawn away from God. Ignatius describes it as darkness of soul, disturbance, and a lack of spiritual energy. In times of desolation, prayer may feel empty, God may seem absent, and the heart may feel restless, discouraged, or isolated.
In Rule 5, Ignatius addresses what we should do when we find ourselves in this time of darkness: never make a change. As we follow the text of the rule, we begin to understand why.
Instead, Ignatius advises us to remain firm and constant in the spiritual proposals and resolutions we had made before the desolation, whether during the preceding day or during an earlier time of consolation or tranquility. He then explains why, reminding us of who counsels us in these contrasting spiritual conditions. In consolation, the good spirit guides and counsels us. In desolation, it is the counsel of the enemy and his bad spirits.
Ignatius therefore concludes with a firm reminder: if we follow the counsel of the bad spirit during spiritual desolation, we cannot find the way to a right decision.
When Should I Make a Change?
Through Rule 5, Ignatius provides us with clear guidance on when we should not make a change. We understand why: it is because of who guides and counsels us more in each spiritual situation. In consolation, the good spirit guides and counsels us more; in desolation, the bad spirit.
Ignatius clarifies that this Rule is focused on our spiritual proposals and determinations that were in place before desolation began. That tells us something critical: there are times when we can carefully consider whether to make a change.
In consolation, we experience the grace of God's closeness. In such times, the good spirit guides and counsels us more, and we can prayerfully consider whether a change will lead to greater spiritual progress. When we find ourselves in the tranquil time, neither in spiritual consolation nor in spiritual desolation, we can use our natural powers freely and tranquilly to help us make a right decision about whether to make a change. At these times we can use our God-given imagination, reason, and careful consideration to discern whether a change should be made.
This contrast helps us understand again why spiritual desolation is not the time to reconsider these proposals. A change that appears necessary and urgent in spiritual desolation may no longer seem necessary when the desolation passes. We can confidently wait, knowing that if the Lord desires a change, we will be able to discern it in spiritual consolation or in a tranquil time.
Once again, in times of spiritual desolation, never make a change.
Putting Rule 5 Into Practice
As we learned with the preceding rules, it is important first to identify what is happening when we find ourselves in a particular spiritual situation. We can once again apply the method that we learned in the Introduction, the practical purpose of the Rules: to become aware of our interior movements, to understand them, and to respond accordingly.
Becoming Aware
To become aware of our spiritual disposition, and to help us decide whether Rule 5 applies, we can ask ourselves two questions:
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Am I experiencing spiritual desolation?
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Am I considering changing a spiritual proposal that was in place before the desolation began?
Understanding
These questions help us gain the proper understanding. If we find ourselves in spiritual desolation and are considering changing a spiritual proposal that was in place beforehand, then we can recall what we learned in the preceding rules: in spiritual desolation, it is the bad spirit who guides and counsels us, and with these counsels we cannot find the way to a right decision.
Further, we can examine our own response to these counsels as a double-check. Has our resolve in a good spiritual proposal begun to weaken? Are we now doubting the spiritual progress about which we were previously peaceful or resolved?
Taking Action
We can now see more clearly what to do. If we have identified spiritual desolation and find our resolve shaken regarding a good spiritual proposal made beforehand, the next good action is simple: remain firm and constant in that prior proposal. Do not make the change while in spiritual desolation.
A Practical Example
Consider a woman who has established a regular practice of evening prayer and has been faithful to it for some time. After a difficult day at work, a conversation with a coworker goes badly. She returns home discouraged and unsettled. As the evening continues, that discouragement begins to affect her spiritual life. God feels distant, prayer seems empty, and she begins to wonder whether her evening prayer is doing any good at all.
She thinks, Maybe this isn't helping me anymore. Perhaps I should stop praying every evening and find another way to pray.
The two questions help her recognize what is happening:
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Is she in spiritual desolation? Yes.
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Is she considering changing a spiritual proposal that was in place before the desolation began? Yes.
Rule 5 therefore applies. Rather than abandoning her evening prayer, she remains firm and constant in the proposal she made beforehand.
When the desolation passes, she can reconsider the matter in spiritual consolation or in a tranquil time. She may discover that no change was necessary at all. Or, if a change truly would help her spiritual life, she can discern it then, when she is better able to make a right decision.
How Rule 5 Connects to Rule 6
Rule 5 tells us what not to do in times of spiritual desolation, and Rule 6 shows us what steps we can reasonably take to resist the desolation. In this way, St. Ignatius gives us an understanding of how to take the next right step forward.
Where Rule 5 teaches us when never to change our spiritual proposals, Rule 6 further explains how this firmness in resolve need not be passive. It can be active as we act against the desolation using spiritual means for a spiritual struggle: prayer, much meditation, careful examination, and suitable acts of penitential courage.
Together, these Rules give us a practical response to desolation: do not change course; actively resist the desolation.
Continue Learning About Rule 5
For a fuller treatment of Rule 5 and its application in daily spiritual life, see Fr. Timothy Gallagher's The Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide for Everyday Living.
Rule 5 is treated in Chapter 5: “Spiritual Desolation: A Time for Fidelity (Rule 5)”
Further reflections on Rule 5 can be found in Fr. Tim's book Setting Captives Free.
Rule 5 is also treated in Chapter 5 there: "In Time of Desolation, Never Make a Change"
Our co-founder, Fr. Mark Yavarone, O.M.V., has written an article on Rule 5 entitled "Changing Course in the Storm of Desolation", part of an ongoing series that accompanies our free newsletter.