Journey with Jesus
Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius
Have you ever longed for a deeper relationship with Jesus?
A relationship that shapes how you live, how you listen, and how you love? The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola offer a beautiful and time-tested pathway for deepening that relationship. They are not simply a set of prayers or reflections, but a guided journey of encounter with God, designed to help you grow in inner freedom and clarity about how God is inviting you to live.
About St. Ignatius of Loyola
St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491–1556) was a Spanish soldier, nobleman, and seeker whose life took an unexpected turn. After being seriously wounded in battle, he faced a long and painful recovery. During this time of confinement, Ignatius began reading about the life of Jesus and the saints. What started as a way to pass the time soon became a profound spiritual awakening.
Through this inner journey, Ignatius discovered that certain reflections left him restless and empty, while others brought a deep peace and joy that lingered. He came to see that these interior movements were signs of the Holy Spirit at work, guiding him toward a fuller life with God.n the years that followed, Ignatius laid aside his old ambitions and dedicated himself to helping others encounter the living God.
The Spiritual Exercises
The Spiritual Exercises are a rich and time-tested pathway for deepening your relationship with Jesus Christ. Developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola, they are a series of prayerful meditations, imaginative Scripture reflections, and personal discernment practices. They are designed to help you experience God more personally, respond to His love more freely, and live with greater clarity and purpose.
At the heart of the Exercises is the desire for spiritual freedom — freedom from whatever hinders you, and freedom for the life God is calling you to live.
The journey moves through four key movements (or “weeks”), each marking a stage of spiritual growth:
Week One: Encountering God’s love and mercy; recognizing your need for healing and grace
Week Two: Walking with Jesus in His public ministry, deepening your friendship with Him
Week Three: Entering into Jesus’ suffering and death, growing in compassion and surrender
Week Four: Rejoicing in the Resurrection and discerning your response to God’s call in daily life.
The Format
While the traditional form is a 30-day retreat, the 19th Annotation Retreat makes the Exercises accessible within the rhythms of daily life. In this format, you commit to daily prayer (about 30–60 minutes) and meet regularly (weekly or bi-weekly) for spiritual direction. Together, we listen for how God is moving in your prayer and life, and discern how you're being invited to respond.
Many who journey through the Exercises experience:
A deepening love for Jesus
Healing from false attachments and internal obstacles
Greater clarity about their vocation or life direction
A heightened awareness of God’s presence in everyday life
If you’re longing to grow in intimacy with God, live with more freedom, and follow Jesus more wholeheartedly, the Spiritual Exercises offer a powerful and grace-filled path.
Sensing a desire to engage the Spiritual Exercises is the right starting point and I would be honored to walk with you. My own experience in the Exercises was life changing and I know you will not be the same after yours. This journey is not about achieving a spiritual ideal; it is about making space to be met by the living God who is already pursuing you with love.
To learn more or explore whether the Exercises might be a good next step in your spiritual life, please feel free to reach out. I would be glad to meet with you for an initial conversation.
