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Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius

- The Spiritual Exercises is a term used to describe a centuries-old spiritual process that grew out of Ignatius of Loyola’s spiritual experience and out of the pastoral experience he gleaned while working with women and men of his time. Over some years, Ignatius established a pattern of spiritual exercises that invited people into a profound experience of God and frequently evoked a deep conversion and a renewed sense of mission. Eventually, Ignatius distilled this process into the text of the Spiritual Exercises so others might enter into their own dynamic spiritual transformation.
  
  As Ignatius intended, the Exercises have been adapted to a wide range of persons, time frames, theologies and cultures. Ignatius foresaw that not everyone who desired to make the Exercises could go to a monastery for the thirty days necessary to make this retreat. He provided a path for these people to make the Exercises in their daily life under the guidance of the Spirit through a specially trained retreat director. He called this adaptation the 19th Annotation. The common process extends over a period of nine months, following the liturgical year.
  
  Some seekers consider the Spiritual Exercises as a school of prayer or a process of decision-making or a help in putting order into one’s life, free of unhealthy attachments. It is all of these but truly it is a process of praying the Gospels to become identified with Jesus Christ in loving and serving God in all things. Personal renewal, becoming deepened in prayer and Spirit-filled decision making are the gifts, the fruits of this experience. The immediate experience is always the direct encounter with God in Jesus Christ.
  
  The Cenacle Sisters and lay spiritual directors have offered the Spiritual Exercises in the Houston area for many years. The Emmaus Spirituality Center endeavors to provide a home for continuing this ministry through a variety of options.
- The 19th Annotation of the Spiritual Exercises The 19th Annotation of the Spiritual Exercises is a retreat experience that has the power to transform lives by drawing one into the ever-present invitation to intimacy with God. The dynamics of the Exercises provide a framework for prayer and reflection.
- The Home/Parish 8-Week Retreat The Home Retreat is a genuine retreat experience based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola extending over 8 weeks. It is made by 10-12 people who are praying at home every day from scripture suggested by the program. Retreatants meet together weekly.
- The Ignatian Beloved Community The Beloved Community at Emmaus Spirituality Center is a gathering of ordinary Christians who companion each other in following in the footsteps of St. Ignatius.