19th Annotation of the Spiritual Exercises
Overview
The Spiritual Exercises are a compilation of meditations, prayers, and contemplative practices developed by St. Ignatius Loyola to help people deepen their relationships with God.
History
For centuries the Exercises were most commonly given as a “long retreat” of about 30 days in solitude and silence. In recent years, there has been a renewed emphasis on the Spiritual Exercises as a program for laypeople.
Retreats in Daily Life
The most common way of going through the Exercises now is a “retreat in daily life,” also know as the 19th Annotation, which involves an eight-month program of prayer and meetings with a spiritual director, following a pattern of meditation, contemplation, and scripture reading. Through this experience, retreatants come to a greater awareness of God’s presence in their lives.
Commitment
Participants must be committed to:
- One hour a day of private prayer
- A short period of reflection on prayer experience, taking notes of the insights one has received
- Meeting weekly:
- Twice a month with a spiritual guide
- On the intermittent weeks coming together for group prayer and discussion from 7:00 to 8:30 PM on Boston College’s Brighton Campus
There is no participation fee for this retreat.
Schedule
Group Meeting Schedule 2025-2026
Wednesdays, 7:00 to 8:30 PM
Simboli Hall Chapel (Brighton Campus) & Zoom
| Date | Agenda | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 09/10/25 | Orientation Full group to participate in a whole group introduction. Books to be given out at this meeting. Participants asked to read up to page 38 for next group session. | Boston College Brighton Campus |
| 09/24/25 | Small Group Dynamic Overview upcoming Weeks 1 & 2 | Zoom meeting |
| 10/08/25 | The Structure of the Ignatian Prayer Review Weeks 1 & 2 (Sharing) Overview upcoming Weeks 3 & 4 | Zoom meeting |
| 10/22/25 | Review Weeks 3 & 4 (Sharing) Overview upcoming Weeks 5 & 6 | Zoom meeting |
| 11/05/25 | Review Weeks 5 & 6 (Sharing) Overview upcoming Weeks 7 & 8 | Zoom meeting |
| 11/19/25 | Review Weeks 7 & 8 (Sharing) Overview upcoming Weeks 9 & 10 | Zoom meeting |
| 12/03/25 | Transition to Second Week Review Weeks 9 & 10 (Sharing) Overview upcoming Weeks 11, 12, 13 & 14 | Zoom meeting |
| 12/17/25 | Advent Christmas Mass | Boston College Brighton Campus |
| 01/07/26 | Review Weeks 11, 12, 13 & 14 (Sharing) Overview upcoming Weeks 15 & 16 | Zoom meeting |
| 01/21/26 | Review Weeks 15 & 16 (Sharing) Overview upcoming Weeks 17 & 18 | Zoom meeting |
| 02/04/26 | Review Weeks 17 & 18 (Sharing) Overview upcoming Weeks 19 & 20 | Zoom meeting |
| 02/18/26 | Review Weeks 19 & 20 (Sharing) Overview upcoming Weeks 21 & 22 | Zoom meeting |
| 03/04/26 | Panel on Discernment Review Weeks 21 & 22 (Sharing) Overview upcoming Weeks 23 & 24 | Zoom meeting |
| 03/18/26 | Review Weeks 23 & 24 (Sharing) Overview upcoming Weeks 25 & 26 | Zoom meeting |
| 04/01/26 | Review Weeks 25 & 26 (Sharing) Overview of upcoming Weeks 27 & 28 | Zoom meeting |
| 04/15/26 | Review Weeks 27 & 28 (Sharing) Overview upcoming Weeks 29 & 30 | Zoom meeting |
| 04/29/26 | Looking Beyond the Spiritual Exercises Review Weeks 29 & 30 (Sharing) Overview upcoming Weeks 31 & 32 | Zoom meeting |
| 05/13/26 | Gathering Our Graces and Closing liturgy | Boston College Brighton Campus |
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