Initiatives
Our initiatives and programs bring people together to pray, study, collaborate, and experience the graces of the Spiritual Exercises.
We offer more than a dozen programs across our four initiatives.
Ministerio Hispano Ignaciano
Our Ignatian Hispanic Ministry (Ministerio Hispano Ignaciano) ministers to adult Catholics who speak Spanish and desire to deepen their Ignatian way of proceeding. We invite individuals and communities to learn more about Ignatian spirituality and the Exercises through our programs and initiatives.
Comunidades Hispanas Ignacianas (CHI) are made up of groups of adults who meet regularly at least once a month, with a properly trained guide who will help deepen your faith and accompany your Ignatian spiritual path.
Spiritual Conversation Groups gather monthly to share their prayer, reflections, and commitments. Using the method of “Spiritual Conversation”, these groups spend time reflecting on Ignatian themes and other important issues.
Online Events and Retreats: On a regular basis, we invite adults from everywhere to pray together and also to educate themselves on relevant issues related to the life of the Church and the world.
In Person Retreats and Events: In partnership with Jesuit apostolates, we organize retreats in Spanish for those who are looking to enhance their faith experience and Ignatian way.
Ignatian Resources: We have developed Ignatian printed and online resources. These resources are helpful to those who are looking to strengthen their faith and commitment to the mission of Christ.
Ignatian Young Adult Ministries
Our Ignatian Young Adult Ministries cultivate local communities of young adults committed to the Ignatian tradition.
We facilitate three programs for young adults in a holistic and distinctly Ignatian style. The programs — Contemplative Leaders in Action (CLA), Charis Ministries, and Jesuit Connections — are uniquely designed to accommodate the kinetic lives of young adults and address their distinct needs. The programs work together to inspire young adults to live as women and men for others, and to offer them formation that comports with the realities of their lives.
With collaboration as an organizing principle, we also partner with parishes, schools, and other Ignatian ministries to cultivate strong, local communities of young adults inspired by the Jesuits and their way of proceeding.
Core Programs:
Ignatian Formation
Our Ignatian Formation initiative brings together Jesuits, Ignatian spirituality leaders, and seekers to promote the ministry of the Spiritual Exercises. We do this in partnership with current Ignatian spiritual directors, retreat directors, prayer companions, and other ministers. Our goal is to create a community of Ignatian practitioners that can share resources, create new and innovative programming, and support one another.
Core programs:
Ignatian Spiritual Direction
Our Ignatian Spiritual Direction Initiative is dedicated to supporting the ongoing formation of spiritual directors in the Ignatian tradition through networking, resource sharing, and programming.
We currently have two primary projects within this initiative. We have created the OIS Catalog of Spiritual Directors to connect those seeking spiritual direction with a trained director in their area. More than 450 people are registered as directors in the Catalog, and we have referred hundreds of people to spiritual directors. We also offer a series of professional development programs for spiritual directors and those in training.
What else…
OIS Catalog of Spiritual Directors
We maintain a database of people on the East Coast currently offering spiritual direction in the Ignatian tradition. This is a valuable resource for those trying to find a spiritual director. It can also aid directors by helping to connect them to one another for mutual support and networking.
Retreats Calendar
Find the retreat that’s best for you on our calendar of retreats offered by OIS and our partners across the Jesuit network.
