An Ignatian Adventure

SUNDAYS | SEPT. 10–OCT. 29, 2023

The goal of this Sunday School class is to introduce Foundry folks to Ignatian Spirituality and the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Ignatian spirituality refers to the spiritual teachings and practices associated with St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), a religious order within the Catholic Church. Ignatian spirituality is rooted in the teachings of St. Ignatius and is known for its emphasis on prayer, discernment, and finding God in all things. Here are some key aspects of Ignatian spirituality:

Spiritual Exercises: St. Ignatius developed a structured set of spiritual exercises designed to help individuals deepen their relationship with God. The Spiritual Exercises consist of prayers, meditations, and contemplative practices that guide individuals through different stages of reflection, discernment, and decision-making. The Spiritual Exercises were originally developed as a 30 day silent retreat, and then adapted to a 32-week (30-45 minutes per day) retreat in “daily” life.

Ignatian spirituality has had a significant influence not only within the Jesuit community but also among individuals from various religious backgrounds who are drawn to its emphasis on prayer, discernment, and finding God in all things.

This 9-week class is an adapted version of the Spiritual Exercises. Materials are modified from the longer 32-week retreat in The Ignatian Adventure by Kevin O’Brien, SJ.

The first session will be an orientation and overview of Ignatian spirituality, followed by eight weeks of daily prayer, contemplation and journaling, and a weekly group spiritual direction during Sunday School hour from September 10 - October 29. The eight-week prayer adventure offers a taste of Ignatian spirituality in a flexible experience of daily prayer and reflection.

All materials are online and can be accessed from the “Ignatian Spirituality” website.

Please reach out to Ed Crump with any questions @ edmundcrump@hotmail.com.