The Center for Ignatian Spirituality offers a variety of workshops to assist members of the Boston College community in understanding the University's Jesuit mission and to support them on their own spiritual journeys.
Foundations
Beginning to Pray in the Ignatian Way
Foundations is a program intended for two groups of people:
- Those who are thinking about doing the Spiritual Exercises in daily life, also known as the 19th Annotation, in the future and want to learn more about the experience in advance;
- Those who are not considering the 19th Annotation yet, but would like to know the basic elements of the Ignatian prayer
The program will take place at lunchtime (noon - 1:00 p.m.) at 36 College Road. Each of the six sessions will include a presentation on a particular Ignatian theme, followed by a discussion.
Important: Only people who can commit to all the sessions and complete an application will be considered.
2022 Dates & Themes:
October 13th: Beginning to Pray in the Ignatian way
October 20th: Structure of the Ignatian prayer
October 27: Praying with our imagination
November 3rd: Review of the prayer and the examen
November 10th: Role of the Spiritual Director
November 17th: Gathering of Graces
“By the term 'Spiritual Exercises' is meant every method of examination of conscience, of meditation, of contemplation, of vocal and mental prayer, and of other spiritual activities that will be mentioned later. For just as taking a walk, journeying on foot, and running are bodily exercises, so we call Spiritual Exercises every way of preparing and disposing the soul to rid itself of all inordinate attachments, and, after their removal, of seeking and finding the will of God in the disposition of our life for the salvation of our soul.”
Discernment in the Workplace
Ignatius of Loyola, architect of discernment as a way of life, drew on the wisdom and power of discernment in the midst of his own long hours of pastoral and administrative work. We invite you to attend this course and engage with colleagues in a six-week program; the course will help you understand the art and skills of discernment as an organic part of your work life. We will offer this course in the Fall 2021, and depending on interest it may be offered again in the Spring 2022. This course has no fee and lunch is provided.
- Monday, September 20, 2021: Overview (from noon to 1 p.m.)
- Monday, September 27, 2021: The Foundations of a Discerning Way of Life(from noon to 1 p.m.)
- Monday, October 4, 2021: Language of God's Spirit (from noon to 1 p.m.)
- Tuesday, October 12, 2021: Three Ways to Make Decisions (from noon to 1 p.m.)
- Monday, October 18, 2021: Rules for the Discernment of Spirits - Week 1 (noon to 1 p.m.)
- Monday, October 25, 2021: Rules for the Discernment of Spirits - Week 2 (from noon to 1 p.m.)
- Saturday, October 30, 2021: Half-day Retreat on Ignatian Communal Discernment (from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) at Alumni House
This is an in-person program.
Location: 36 College Road
Food will be available from 11:45 a.m.
“By the term 'Spiritual Exercises' is meant every method of examination of conscience, of meditation, of contemplation, of vocal and mental prayer, and of other spiritual activities that will be mentioned later. For just as taking a walk, journeying on foot, and running are bodily exercises, so we call Spiritual Exercises every way of preparing and disposing the soul to rid itself of all inordinate attachments, and, after their removal, of seeking and finding the will of God in the disposition of our life for the salvation of our soul.”