The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius
Who was Saint Ignatius of Loyola?
Saint Ignatius of Loyola was born in the 15th century in the Basque region of Spain. Having lost both parents early in life, he was cared for by the wife of his second eldest brother in the family castle at Loyola. Ignatius became quite the colorful young man while in service as a page to an official in Castile. Ignatius took up dancing, fencing, gambling, the pursuit of the young ladies, and dueling. At seventeen Ignatius joined the military driven by a desire for fame. It is said he was "a fancy dresser, an expert dancer, a womanizer, sensitive to insult, and a rough punkish swordsman who used his privileged status to escape prosecution for violent crimes committed with his priest brother at carnival time."
It was a cannon ball that changed the course of the life of the young soldier Ignatius. His leg was shattered in the Battle of Pamploma by that cannon ball, forcing Ignatius to return to the family castle to recuperate. While convalescing Ignatius asked his sister-in-law for books of romance and chivalry to indulge his fantasies of becoming a war hero and winning the hand of a beautiful woman. The castle had no such books so his sister-in-law brought him books on Christ and the lives of the saints instead. Having nothing else to do he occupied himself reading these books and spending hours daydreaming. Ignatius indulged in fantasies of heroic deeds and winning fair maidens but he also began imagining himself doing the works of the saints he was reading about. Ignatius noticed the effects the different types of imaginings had on him. The daydreams of romance and chivalry that made him feel good in the moment left him empty and unfulfilled later. Yet dreaming about following Christ and doing the work of the saints left Ignatius feeling joy and peace long after. This insight began to change his heart and after he was recovered, led Ignatius on a pilgrimage to find Christ and follow in the footsteps of the saints he had read about.
It was this journey that led Ignatius to the priesthood and the founding of the Society of Jesus (aka the Jesuit Order). During his spiritual formation Ignatius developed the Spiritual Exercises and encouraged lay persons to use them as a way to know Christ more intimately. The Spiritual Exercises are still loved and used today.
It was a cannon ball that changed the course of the life of the young soldier Ignatius. His leg was shattered in the Battle of Pamploma by that cannon ball, forcing Ignatius to return to the family castle to recuperate. While convalescing Ignatius asked his sister-in-law for books of romance and chivalry to indulge his fantasies of becoming a war hero and winning the hand of a beautiful woman. The castle had no such books so his sister-in-law brought him books on Christ and the lives of the saints instead. Having nothing else to do he occupied himself reading these books and spending hours daydreaming. Ignatius indulged in fantasies of heroic deeds and winning fair maidens but he also began imagining himself doing the works of the saints he was reading about. Ignatius noticed the effects the different types of imaginings had on him. The daydreams of romance and chivalry that made him feel good in the moment left him empty and unfulfilled later. Yet dreaming about following Christ and doing the work of the saints left Ignatius feeling joy and peace long after. This insight began to change his heart and after he was recovered, led Ignatius on a pilgrimage to find Christ and follow in the footsteps of the saints he had read about.
It was this journey that led Ignatius to the priesthood and the founding of the Society of Jesus (aka the Jesuit Order). During his spiritual formation Ignatius developed the Spiritual Exercises and encouraged lay persons to use them as a way to know Christ more intimately. The Spiritual Exercises are still loved and used today.
What are the Spiritual Exercises?
The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, often called The Retreat in Daily Life, are a series of prayers, meditations, reflections, or “exercises” designed to bring us into a deeper relationship with God. The Exercises are also often used to help discern God’s will in our lives by orienting us more closely with Christs will. Saint Ignatius created the exercises after personal experience in these area’s proved valuable in his own life. St. Ignatius called them “spiritual exercises” because, like physical exercise that keep the body strong, these exercises strengthen us spiritually. The exercises are built around the new testament accounts of the life of Jesus and are designed to help us enter into a more intimate relationship with Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
The exercises are divided into five segments or “weeks”, each with a different theme. A preparation week explores Gods unconditional love as a foundation for the journey and prepares us for the first week which explores what God says about sin, both in the world and personally. The second week is deeply focused on the life and ministry of Jesus. In the third week we walk beside Jesus in His suffering and crucifixion. In the last and final week we encounter Him in the resurrection as the risen Lord.
The exercises are divided into five segments or “weeks”, each with a different theme. A preparation week explores Gods unconditional love as a foundation for the journey and prepares us for the first week which explores what God says about sin, both in the world and personally. The second week is deeply focused on the life and ministry of Jesus. In the third week we walk beside Jesus in His suffering and crucifixion. In the last and final week we encounter Him in the resurrection as the risen Lord.
When are you offering the exercises?
The Exercises in Daily life begin mid September and usually finish sometime in May. Because the Exercises are so personal, you may want to linger longer in some places of deep connection. This will mean that not everyone will end at the same time.
The 18th Annotation also begins in September and ends in 14 weeks later. Because this is a group and in consideration for all, we will begin and end on schedule.
The 18th Annotation also begins in September and ends in 14 weeks later. Because this is a group and in consideration for all, we will begin and end on schedule.
Where do we meet for direction during the exercises?
I offer the Exercises both in person in my office and remotely online. Either version may be done either way.
Why would I want to take this journey?
The Exercises of St. Ignatius are a life changing journey to the heart of God. By entering into the life and ministry of Jesus through prayer and scripture, the Exercises are a deeply personal way to grow in relationship with God. Each pilgrim is touched on the journey by the hand of God in a way only He can orchestrate. If you long to deepen your relationship with God and come to know Jesus more intimately through the Spirit, this journey is for you. The Spiritual Exercises are life changing.
How can you experience the exercises?
There are two ways to experience the exercises. The first way is a guided 9-month retreat through the exercises called the 19th Annotation, also known as a Retreat in Daily Life. The Retreat in Daily life is a deeply personal and meaningful journey. Beginning in the fall, the Retreat in Daily Life (19th Annotation) intentionally aligns with the church calendar to bring deeper meaning to our personal and church observance of the life of Christ. On this retreat journey we will meet once a week for spiritual direction to discuss and deepen your experience. The long retreat is undeniably a commitment of time and resolve – one that may or may not be right for everyone or perhaps not right at this time. It is something of a spiritual marathon.
The second way is a shorter version of the exercises done over a period of 14 weeks in a group setting. This journey is called the 18th annotation. I meet with the group each week for group spiritual direction and discussion. We will move though the same weeks described above but abbreviated to provide the overall experience over a shorter period of time. Because of the shorter time frame, the 18th annotation does not align with the church calendar.
The second way is a shorter version of the exercises done over a period of 14 weeks in a group setting. This journey is called the 18th annotation. I meet with the group each week for group spiritual direction and discussion. We will move though the same weeks described above but abbreviated to provide the overall experience over a shorter period of time. Because of the shorter time frame, the 18th annotation does not align with the church calendar.
Other Things You Might Want to Know
My name is Michelle and I will be accompanying you on your journey through the exercises. I am a trained and certified Spiritual Director. I am also trained and certified to lead pilgrims through the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius. (you can read more about me on the “about” page here on my website) It would be my honor to accompany you on this journey with Jesus. If you have interest please contact me with the button below.
What are the costs?
The fees for the Retreat in Daily Life are on a sliding scale from $50-$55-$60 a week for 35 weeks of the Exercises. This may be paid all at once or divided into monthly payments. I offer a discounted fee for those in ministry or those who are a spouse of someone in ministry. Please speak with me if the you are unable to pay the fee you see here. If you have prayed and feel Gods urging to do the Exercises, we will find a way for you to make this journey!
The 18th Annotation cost’s less and is run in a group setting. *I am not running a Group 18th Annotation this year. Check back next summer to sign up for Fall of 2023.*
I’m a Protestant, aren’t the Exercises for Catholics?
While Saint Ignatius was a catholic priest, his exercises were designed for the common man. The exercises are a time honored tool for deep spiritual formation aimed at knowing and loving Jesus more deeply and are for anyone of any faith who desires to deepen their relationship with Jesus. The experience is deeply personal and profoundly meaningful and bible based. The material I use is adapted by a Catholic priest from St. Ignatius extensive writings. The Exercises themselves have their roots firmly planted in scripture and have been used by people of all faiths for hundreds of years.
What are the costs?
The fees for the Retreat in Daily Life are on a sliding scale from $50-$55-$60 a week for 35 weeks of the Exercises. This may be paid all at once or divided into monthly payments. I offer a discounted fee for those in ministry or those who are a spouse of someone in ministry. Please speak with me if the you are unable to pay the fee you see here. If you have prayed and feel Gods urging to do the Exercises, we will find a way for you to make this journey!
The 18th Annotation cost’s less and is run in a group setting. *I am not running a Group 18th Annotation this year. Check back next summer to sign up for Fall of 2023.*
I’m a Protestant, aren’t the Exercises for Catholics?
While Saint Ignatius was a catholic priest, his exercises were designed for the common man. The exercises are a time honored tool for deep spiritual formation aimed at knowing and loving Jesus more deeply and are for anyone of any faith who desires to deepen their relationship with Jesus. The experience is deeply personal and profoundly meaningful and bible based. The material I use is adapted by a Catholic priest from St. Ignatius extensive writings. The Exercises themselves have their roots firmly planted in scripture and have been used by people of all faiths for hundreds of years.