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About this Retreat.
october 2023 – june 2024 (applications now closed)
This year’s Spiritual Exercises Retreat in Everyday Life is now underway. This retreat, which runs from the beginning of October through June, is for people who live in or near Maine, and there are options that would permit someone to be fully remote. Applications for this years cohort are now closed, but you can read more about this retreat and see a sample application below.
Questions? Contact us.
About the Spiritual Exercises.
The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola are a guide to prayer to help people discern God’s presence in their lives. In four stages, referred to as “weeks,” participants contemplate various aspects of their lives, as well as the life, Passion, and Resurrection of Jesus.
Participants need to make a commitment to praying daily over the materials for the retreat, and typically spend about half an hour each day plus a short time reflecting back over the events of the day. There are two other monthly commitments. On the first Wednesday evening of each month, the whole group meets by Zoom, and then divides into small groups for sharing. Each participant will meet a second time during the month with their spiritual director/guide, either in person or by Zoom, and either one-on-one or with a group.
Read more about the Spiritual Exercises:
The Spiritual Exercises, Jesuits of the United States and Canada
“The Spiritual Exercises”, IgnatianSpirituality.com
Details and Requirements.
Details.
This retreat starts at the beginning of October and runs through early June. The heart of the retreat is daily prayer. Participants need to make a commitment to praying daily with the materials — in general, about a half-hour each day.
At the end of each day, participants also will reflect on the events of their day, and this can be done while doing something else that doesn’t take thought or concentration - like doing dishes, exercising, walking a dog, etc.
Participants will meet monthly with a spiritual director/guide, in the middle of each month. You may choose either to meet one-on-one or to be part of a permanent small group.
Participants will also meet monthly as a large group with the retreat team and other participants. These meetings will take place on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 by Zoom. We usually will meet on the first Wednesday of the month: October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May, and June. During the meeting, you will learn about the Exercises and also have time to be in a small group with two spiritual directors/guides and other participants.
This retreat is designed for people who have had some experience praying with Scripture, and who have had experience talking with someone about their prayer. If you have questions about this, please contact us. Other, shorter retreat experiences will be offered through the Partnership this year and these can provide background for someone who wishes to make the full Exercises in the future.
The retreat prayer guides include Paul Sullivan SJ, Merle Marie Troeger, Sr. Ann Boyle RSR, Nash Garabedian, Rev. Holly Hoffmann, Sheila Murphy, and Brian Conley SJ. We come from Mt. Desert Island, Old Orchard Beach, Brunswick, and the Portland area.
The Ignatian Spirituality Partnership of Maine is offering this retreat for people who live in Maine, or very nearby.
Retreat Cost in 2023 = $625 (payment plans available; some financial aid is available)
Registration is now closed.
Requirements.
The Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life can be a transformative experience, but it is a commitment.
Participants should expect to:
Spend about half an hour a day in private prayer, followed by a period of reflection on the prayer experience, taking notes of the insights received.
Take a few minutes at the end of each day to reflect back with God on the day.
Meet monthly as a group, during which you will both learn and share.
Meet monthly with a spiritual director/guide.
Retreat Schedule.
The dates and topics for the monthly group meetings (First Wednesday of the month, 6:30 - 8:30 by Zoom) for the Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life retreat are below.
October 4, 2023 – “What are You Looking for?” (Jn.1) Our Desires and God’s Desires. Encountering the unconditional, creative, inviting love of God..
November 1, 2023 – Experiencing God’s boundless mercy.
December 6, 2023 – “The Word Became Flesh” (Jn.1) Knowing and Loving Jesus
January 3, 2024 – “Come and See!” (Jn.1) Ministering with Jesus
February 7, 2024– “Come Follow Me.” (Lk.5) Responding to Jesus’ Call
March 6, 2024 – Being with Jesus in his suffering and experiencing compassion
April 3, 2024 – “He is Risen” Being with the Risen Lord
May 1, 2024 – “Drinking of Living Waters.” (Jn.4) The Fullness of God’s Love
June 5, 2024 - Reflecting back and going forward
Apply
The 2023-2024 application is now closed.
Click the button below to see a sample application.
Questions? Contact us.