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Spiritual Exercises
in Daily LifE
(online)

Application window for 2024-2025 IS NOW CLOSED

Since they were first developed, the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola have changed the lives of millions of people. Just as our bodies need exercise to maintain physical strength and health, we also need exercise in order to maintain our spiritual health.

What are the Spiritual Exercises?

The Spiritual Exercises are a method of prayer that invites us to a deepening self-awareness and a heightened sense of God’s active and loving presence in our lives. The full Spiritual Exercises retreat is made over a 9-month period in daily life or over a 30-day period of silence. Loyola Institute for Spirituality offers the Spiritual Exercises in Daily Life (SEDL) annually from mid-September to early June. 

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How is Loyola Institute’s offering of the Spiritual Exercises unique?

Throughout the 9-months of the retreat you will receive support and accompaniment on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. 

  • LIS provides unique daily prayer resources and reflection materials to all retreatants. 

  • Every week retreatants will meet with a Spiritual Companion for approximately one hour of spiritual direction. Our Spiritual Companions have completed the Spiritual Exercises retreat and have extensive formation in Ignatian spirituality. They will accompany you throughout your 9-month retreat. Spiritual direction which can cost from $30 to $200 per session is included in our retreat.

  • All retreatants and Spiritual Companions meet once per month via zoom for a spiritual formation and small group faith sharing. 

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What are the requirements for participation? 

  • A spiritual hunger and sincere desire to deepen one’s relationship with God, self, and others

  • A commitment to 

    • pray for 45 minutes to one hour daily (we will provide prayer resources for each day),

    • meet with a Spiritual Companion for approximately 1 hour weekly,

    • meet monthly online for group faith sharing (generally every 2nd Wednesday of the month from Sept-May).

  • Access to an internet connection and a device with video and audio capabilities

  • Online application (see below)

  • One-hour virtual interview with one of our team to get to know you and answer any additional questions you may have in July or August 2024

  • A nonrefundable deposit after your application and interview are completed and once you have decided to participate in the retreat.

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How much does it cost?

We want anyone who is called and committed to making the SEDL retreat to experience this life-changing offering. The total cost of the retreat is $1,000 (which includes $100 deposit). The remainder can be paid in full or monthly ($100/month from Sep-May).

 

Our retreat includes weekly spiritual direction, monthly spiritual formation and small group faith sharing – which enriches the experience. Equivalent programs would cost approximately $3,000. We believe money should not be the impediment to experiencing this life changing retreat. We ask that you prayerfully consider what you can afford and if you would like information about our scholarships to please contact us.

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Want to learn more?

Join us online for a brief introduction. You can register for an information session here.

  • July 10, 2024 - 7pm - 7:30pm

  • August 14, 2024 - 7pm - 7:30pm

 

Or you can contact Ryan Pratt at (714) 997-9587 x114 or at pratt@loyolainstitute.org.

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Continue reading below to learn what others are saying about their experience.

the retreat begins every September.
APPLICATION WINDOW NOW CLOSED

What do retreatants say about the Spiritual Exercises?

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“My experience with Spiritual Exercises in Daily Life has been transformative, enlightening, and meaningful. The structured silence, meditations, and contemplation allowed me to connect with my inner self and uncover areas needing healing and growth. This journey has reinvigorated my spiritual commitment, infusing me with renewed vigor and dedication to my faith journey. The Exercises have also deepened my prayer life, integrating contemplation and discernment into my daily routine and enhancing my ability to listen to God's guidance in all aspects of my life…The facilitators were exceptionally knowledgeable and skilled in guiding us through the retreat—their expertise in Ignatian spirituality and compassionate, insightful approach enriched and supported the experience.” - Marcia

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“This SEDL program has enabled me to fall in love with Jesus for the first time.  Not a Jesus that judges or condemns me, and not even a Jesus that tells me I "should" love more, but a Jesus who is a personal expression of God, who wants my partnership for bringing more love into the world in my unique ways. I never thought I'd be able to say this, but I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ... and that Christ is in the form of a person and also in everything.  The 9 months felt like a love story of God calling me closer to him, who turns out to be everywhere and nowhere at once.  Also, as a queer man who has felt rejected by the church in many ways, this retreat has brought me back to my root religious tradition through direct and unmediated contact with God who truly welcomes all of me.  I am deeply grateful to the Loyola Institute, to my spiritual companion, and my faith sharing group for participating in this holy container for Ignatian spirituality!” - David

 

“For me there were two major and lifetime benefits. The first is realizing daily use of the Examen, even if you miss the prayer every now and then - is a profound way to recognize God in all things. By reflecting on the prior day, you are more attuned to recognize God in that upcoming day. Second, learning of the importance of Spiritual Freedom, and the critical ongoing work to recognize and address areas of 'unfreedom' in our lives, be they distractions, habits, outside influences, and internal fears that hinder our openness to God's voice.” - Daryl

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Why do our Spiritual Companions participate?

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“In retirement, I was restless and made an eight-day silent retreat, asking God what I was to do with the rest of my life. Then I came to the Spiritual Exercises at LIS and discovered that I had been asking the wrong question.  It was not what I was  going to DO in this second half of life; it was what I was going to Become in the days that remained.  Honestly, Spiritual Companioning chose me, and now I sit with directees on holy ground, waiting and watching for the

transformation that will surely come to both of us.”  - Wayne

 

“Only when captured on video have I seen a flower blossom.  Seeing my spiritual companion ‘open up and blossom’ before my very eyes as ‘fruit’ [of this experience] is an understatement.  Walking and experiencing SEDL every year with a different companion is such a priceless gift I am eternally filled with gratitude.” - Eric

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