Ignatian Spiritual Direction Formation Progam Graduates!
By Nancy Small
More than eighty spiritual directors completed Ignatian training and formation programs in the USA Jesuit East province this year, including graduates of three new programs featured here. All programs embrace the spirit of the Universal Apostolic Preference of “Showing the Way to God through the Spiritual Exercises and Discernment.” Congratulations!
Tending the Flame at Ignatius House in Atlanta, GA will graduate its first 11 spiritual directors in December. Grounded in Ignatian Spirituality with the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius as a prerequisite, this spiritual direction formation program includes segments on trauma, addiction, and cultural competency. It has a strong practicum focus on individual and retreat direction and its priorities include training spiritual directors of color. Residency experiences develop a bonded learning cohort. Spiritual Direction Formation Program – Ignatius House Jesuit Retreat Center
The Loyola Ignatian Formation Experience (LIFE), a new program offered at Loyola University Maryland, graduated its first cohort of 16 spiritual directors. Students directed the 19th annotation retreat and accompanied retreatants on a four-week Lenten Ignatian retreat modeled on the First Exercises by Fr. Michael Hansen, SJ. This three-year program is for individuals who have made the Spiritual Exercises and have discerned a call to the ministry of giving them. First cohort of spiritual directors graduates from Loyola’s LIFE program - Newsroom - Loyola University Maryland Mission Integration - Loyola University Maryland, tbrown@loyola.edu
The Spiritual Directors Institute, supported by Canisius University and McQuaid Jesuit), graduated thirteen people whose course requirements included a one-year internship directing the Spiritual Exercises. SDI’s two-year formation process prepares spiritual directors to direct the 19th annotation Spiritual Exercises retreat, offer ongoing spiritual direction and accompany individuals and communities in spiritual conversations and discernment. https://mcquaid.org/ignatian-ministry/office-of-ignatian-identity/spiritual-directors-institute/ (Accepting applications for the next cohort until May 15, 2024).
Read more about this year’s graduates from seasoned Ignatian spiritual direction formation programs below.
The Spiritual Director Formation Program at the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality at Fairfield University will graduate thirteen spiritual directors from several states in December. This two-year certificate program is intended for those with a ministerial and theological background who wish to be trained as spiritual directors in the Ignatian tradition. Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality | Fairfield University
Fordham University’s nine graduates represented a variety of cultures, backgrounds, and generations, enriching the program through their diversity. Two graduates received an M.A. in Christian Spirituality with a concentration in Spiritual Direction and seven received the Advanced Certificate in Spiritual Direction. Internal Family Systems tools in a spiritual context were incorporated into the program for the first time. Advanced Certificate Programs < Fordham University, Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) (Spirituality concentration)
The St .Francis Xavier Spiritual Directors Formation Program in New York, NY graduated six spiritual directors. This two-year, in-person program explores Ignatian spirituality & discernment as well as contemporary issues in spiritual direction and offers individual and peer supervision. Faith Formation - The Church of St. Francis Xavier (sfxavier.org) (Accepting applications for 2024 cohort)
The 19th Annotation Retreat Practicum at St. Raphaela Center in Haverford, PA graduated eleven spiritual directors. This virtual program is for trained spiritual directors who have made the Spiritual Exercises and now seek additional training to accompany retreatants through the 19th annotation Spiritual Exercises retreat. https://www.straphaelacenter.org/spiritual-director-formation/(now accepting applications for Sept. 2024 program)
The Faber Training Program at Holy Trinity, Washington, DC graduated five givers of the Spiritual Exercises (four from the Metro area and one from Jersey City). This three-year virtual program prepares trained spiritual directors to give the Spiritual Exercises and is currently taking a sabbatical. The ongoing Ignatian Training Program trains spiritual directors and will graduate a new cohort in 2024. Training Programs in the Ignatian Tradition | Holy Trinity Catholic Church
The World on Fire Spiritual Direction Formation Program in Charlotte, NC graduated four spiritual directors hailing from Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina and Virginia. This four-year mostly virtual program provides ample time for students to discern their call to the ministry of spiritual direction, engage in ethical practice experience and gain an appreciation for the importance of supervision. https://worldonfireformationprogram.com (accepting applications for its 2024 cohort through June, 2024)