

The 19th Annotation of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, referenced often as the 19th Annotation or Ignatian Retreat in Daily Life, is an increasingly popular retreat option for persons seeking the experience of the Spiritual Exercises. The 19th Annotation allows for persons to complete the Spiritual Exercises with others over several months, engaging in Ignatian prayer practices, readings, and meditations, while meeting regularly with a spiritual director.
The School of Theology and Ministry offers a week-long summer intensive for spiritual directors seeking a deeper understanding of the dynamics of the Spiritual Exercises in order to better accompany others through the Spiritual Exercises, particularly in the 19th Annotation format. It is essential that spiritual directors who accompany others through the 19th Annotation have completed the Spiritual Exercises themselves.
This 1-credit course seeks to form spiritual directors who seek specialized training in facilitating the 19th Annotation retreat. In morning classes, the theological and practical/pastoral dynamics of the four weeks of the Exercises will be explored with a seasoned theologian/spiritual director steeped in the Exercises. Afternoon sessions then provide the opportunity for in-depth small group reflection on these dynamics along with discussion of directing someone through the specific movements of the Exercises.
Monday, June 26 – Friday, June 30, 2023.
9:00am-12:45pm ET
This course will be offered online for Summer 2023.
The aim of the 19th Annotation Intensive is to provide trained spiritual directors who have completed the Spiritual Exercises with the education and formation to support accompanying others through the 19th Annotation.
To register, please complete our application form and indicate Non-Degree, 19th Annotation Intensive on the Program Information page. The cost of this 1-credit course is $1,262. Financial aid is available to all applicants.
If you have any questions about the form, do not hestiate to contact the admissions office: stmadm@bc.edu.
Randy Sachs, SJ was trained in Tübingen under Walter Kasper in systematic theology with a special interest in spirituality. After two years at Fairfield University, he taught for 30 years at Weston Jesuit School of Theology/BC School of Theology and Ministry (30 years), where he often offered a seminar in Theology and the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius. Randy has been active in the ministry of spiritual direction and Ignatian retreats since 1975. Upon retiring from the STM in 2016, he became a full-time member of the staff at the Jesuit Retreat House in Eastern Point, Gloucester, MA, where the Atlantic Ocean is about 100 yards from his bedroom window!
Lisa M. Hastings serves as the Director of Spiritual Direction Initiatives for the Office of Ignatian Spirituality (OIS), an outreach ministry of the USA Northeast Province of the Society of Jesus. In this role, she works to support the discernment, formation and professional development of spiritual directors in the Ignatian tradition. Lisa holds a master’s degree in Theology and Ministry and a post-master’s certificate in Spiritual Formation from the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry (STM). Her ministerial work includes teaching Spiritual Formation for Ministry at the STM, facilitating on-line courses for the Church in the 21st Century Center, and providing spiritual direction for students and staff through Campus Ministry and the Center for Ignatian Spirituality at Boston College.
Please note: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis after this date if space remains.
A non-refundable fee of $75 is required for every degree and non-degree application submitted.
Please note: The application fee cannot be refunded for any reason. If you qualify for a fee waiver, you should not pay the fee when you submit the application form. Fee waivers are granted to the following applicants: Jesuits, veterans, applicants currently completing a year of service or who are Pell Grant-eligible, and current STM students. We do not waive the application fee for other reasons.
STM is committed to providing financial support to applicants. On your application form, please be sure to fill out the Financial Information section, and also include the amount of support your employer is able to provide.
Applicants should submit a one-page essay addressing the following questions:
We require transcripts from all colleges, universities, seminaries, or theological schools that you have attended. Each transcript should contain a list of all coursework taken, grades/marks received, and, if applicable, degree granted and date of degree confirmation. If your college or university will send official transcripts electronically, they can be emailed to stmadm@bc.edu. Otherwise, transcripts must be mailed and be contained in a sealed, signed envelope. If the official transcript is not English, a translation should be provided with the official document. Please alert us if your transcript will be arriving with a different name than the one you are using on your application (e.g. your maiden name). Please note that a transcript is only considered official if received directly from the institution issuing it.
Please note that your application may be reviewed with unofficial copies of your transcripts. If you send unofficial copies, please note that if admitted, you must sent official copies before you begin coursework. If you have questions, please reach out to us.
For applicants using the U.S. Postal Service:
Boston College School of Theology and Ministry
Simboli Hall
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
For applicants using FedEx or UPS:
Boston College School of Theology and Ministry
Simboli Hall
9 Lake Street
Brighton, MA 02135-3841
The resume must be uploaded as part of the application. It is helpful if you highlight relevant ministry, service, and leadership positions you have held.
Applicants who are Catholic diocesan priests or deacons, or members of religious orders must submit a letter of approval and financial support from their bishop, major superior, or Provincial. Please select "Bishop/Major Superior" as the recommender type on the application form.