Spiritual direction is an ancient practice of meeting one-on-one with a trained person to discuss one’s spiritual life. Practiced by both lay and ordained women and men, spiritual direction is available to people of all faiths and spiritual traditions. Directors do not impose their own agendas or beliefs on others – rather they listen carefully to the unfolding of directees’ lives in order to help them discern the ways in which God or the holy is leading them.
For more information about spiritual direction at USF please contact Fr. Donal Godfrey SJ at godfrey@usfca.edu
A book discussion group for people with some experience of Ignatian spirituality and the desire to explore it in greater depth.
Spring 2013 book selection: Traveling Mercies, by Anne Lamott. Meets Wednesday at noon in the University Ministry office; light lunch is provided. Spring dates: February 6-March 20, 2013 (Except for March 13th, Spring Break). Registration is required; to register, please contact Fr. Donal Godfrey SJ at godfrey@usfca.edu.
An opportunity to complete the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius over the academic year through weekly meetings with a spiritual director. Past participants describe the experience as rewarding and transformative personally and professionally. A prior conversation is required before the exercises begin and the program begins with a luncheon. Fall 2013 Spiritual Exercises TBA.
If you have any questions about this program please contact Donal Godfrey S.J. at
godfrey@usfca.eduThe Spiritual Exercises of St. IgnatiusThe Spiritual Exercises, which are at the center of Ignatian spirituality, grew out of Ignatius Loyola’s personal experience as a person seeking to grow in union with God and to discern God’s will. He kept a journal as he gained spiritual insight and deepened his spiritual experience. He added to these notes as he directed other people and discovered what “worked.” Eventually Ignatius gathered these prayers, meditations, reflections, and directions into a carefully designed framework of a retreat, which he called “spiritual exercises.” Ignatius believed that, just as one can use physical exercises to keep in good shape physically, one could use spiritual exercises to remain in shape spiritually.
One way to make these Exercises is in silence, full-time over one month. Another way to make is them over thirty weeks in a form known as the “19th annotation”.
For the first time in many years University Ministry offered the Spiritual Exercises to Faculty and Staff. Mary Romo, Ellen Kelly Daley, Donal Godfrey, S.J, Roger de la Rosa, S.J., Al Grosskopf, S.J, Don Crean and Radmar Jao, S.J, directed nine faculty and staff through the exercises in this form known as the “19th annotation.”
While each person’s experience was unique, all shared finding the exercises rich and rewarding in so many ways. Here is the reflection of Tom Grossman, Associate Dean of Faculty and Research, School of Management faculty member:
"My experiences in the 30 weeks of the "19th Annotation" retreat were transformative. I came out of these exercises with a richer understanding of who I am and what drives me personally and professionally; increased capacity for gratitude and compassion; and a greater willingness to stand up for things I believe in. The program provided a sometimes-demanding structure of activities that taught me many things, including the meaning of my own resistance to the structure. I was wonderfully supported by a spiritual director who helped me see myself in richer and more compassionate ways, and to notice and appreciate things that I habitually skip past. The director was able to bring to me centuries of Ignatian teachings and wisdom, and to give me a personal understanding of the term "God" that is uncontaminated by the ranting’s of the religious right. There were periods of joy, hard slogging, relief, bafflement, and ultimately a lasting calm. I'm very grateful to have had this opportunity."
A lecture by USF faculty or staff on their personal faith journey. The first lecture was by Jeff Brand, Dean of USF Law School, entitled "
The Outskirts of Hope" (click the link to watch his lecture). Next in this series will be a lecture by Fr. James Hanvey, SJ Lo Schiavo Chair in Catholic Social Thought, on April 30, 2013 12pm-1:30pm. Location: Del Santo Reading Room, LM Main 270. Lunch will be served. To attend, please RSVP to
asalzwedel@usfca.edu. Please contact
Fr. Donal Godfrey, SJ, with further questions about the lecture. Please visit our website periodically for upcoming speakers in the series.
Six Tuesday Sessions: Feb 5 and 19, Mar 5 and 19, Apr 2 and 16
Time: 12:00 (noon) – 1 p.m.
Location: Alternates between UC 503 and LM 103
In collaboration with University Ministry, Human Resources is pleased to offer this special discussion-group series to explore decision making using Ignatian discernment. Many of us do not trust our inner thoughts, feelings, and desires and we tend to look outside ourselves for answers. Through the reading and discussion, group members will learn how to better discern by accessing their own spiritual intuition. We will use the book,
God’s Voice Within, by spiritual director Mark E. Thibodeaux, S.J., an acknowledged expert on prayer and discernment. Although this book is rooted in the Ignatian way, people of all traditions and none, are welcome. (Courtesy of HR, this book will be given free to each group member. Donal Godfrey, SJ, from University Ministry, will facilitate group discussion with Michele Centrella from Human Resources. If you are interested in joining the group, please register soon
here as space is limited. Contact mcentrella@usfca.edu with any questions.
