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
One of Ignatius’ most enduring gifts is the Spiritual Exercises—a set of practices and meditations that invite people into a dynamic, life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ. For Ignatius, spirituality was not abstract; it was about helping people experience God personally and live with greater freedom and love in the world. They are not "exercises" in a physical sense, but rather a series of prayerful meditations, imaginative encounters with Scripture, times of reflection, and personal discernment.
The goal of the Exercises is simple but profound: to help you grow in spiritual freedom—freedom from whatever holds you back, and freedom for the life God is calling you to live. They are a way of becoming more attuned to the movements of God in your everyday life and responding to them with greater trust and love.
The Exercises traditionally unfold over four movements, sometimes called "weeks," which are less about calendar time and more about interior stages of the journey:
Week One: Recognizing God’s love and mercy, becoming aware of your need for healing and grace.
Week Two: Walking prayerfully with Jesus through His life and ministry, deepening your relationship with Him.
Week Three: Entering into Jesus’ suffering and death, growing in compassion and surrender.
Week Four: Celebrating Jesus’ resurrection and life, and discerning how God is calling you to live in the joy and power of His love.
Traditionally offered as a 30-day retreat, the Exercises can also be adapted to the rhythm of daily life through what is known as the 19th Annotation Retreat—an extended journey through the Exercises while continuing your normal routines of life and work. This is especially well-suited for ministry leaders, parents, professionals, and others for whom stepping away for a full month isn’t possible.
In this adapted form, we meet regularly (typically weekly or bi-weekly) for spiritual direction, where I will accompany you through the movements of the Exercises. You will be invited into daily times of prayer with Scripture, reflection on your inner experiences, and discernment of God’s invitations. Each session of spiritual direction offers space to notice how God is speaking and how you are responding.
Through this process, many people experience:
A deepening love for Jesus and personal connection to His life
Healing and freedom from false attachments or inner obstacles
A clearer sense of calling and direction for their life and ministry
The ability to notice and respond to God’s presence in everyday life
If you sense a desire to engage the Spiritual Exercises, 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.
If you would like 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.
