Ignatian spirituality is a spiritual practice based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. Ignatian spirituality insists that God is present in all things and active in our world and our lives. It is a pathway to deeper prayer, good decisions guided by keen discernment, and an active life of service to others. The cornerstone of Ignatian Spirituality is the Spiritual Exercises. The 30 day silent retreat is Ignatius' blueprint for spiritual freedom. The Exercises touch the soul by developing an intimate and personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Here are some common phrases or buzzwords that are often associated with Ignatian spirituality:
- AMDG (Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam--For the Greater Honor and Glory of God)
- The Magis (Meaning 'greater.’ This word reflects Ignatius' desire to always give more, and engage more deeply with God and life experiences.)
- Women and Men for Others (Coined by Fr. Pedro Arrupe, SJ, the superior general of the Jesuits from 1965-83 as a motto for students at Jesuit high schools and universities.)
- Inner Freedom (the result of self-awareness and discernment.)
- Contemplation in action (not a monastic existence, but an active one that is, at the same time infused with prayer)
- Union of minds and hearts (As brothers and sisters, we listen for the God who is present among us, admitting no division based on ethnicity, nationality, background, age or gender.)
- Consolation and Desolation (Ignatius' term for moving closer to or farther from the work and will of God.)
- A Faith that does justice (The realization that there can be no true expression of faith where concerns for justice and human dignity are missing.)
- Finding God in all things (As Jesuit poet, Gerald Manley Hopkins put it, "the world is charged with the grandeur of God." This Ignatian challenge claims that we may encounter God anywhere.)
- Two standards (A portion of the Spiritual Exercises in which a retreatant is able to claim her/his Christian identity.)
Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556), the founder of the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits, was born in 1491 in the Basque Country of Northern Spain to parents of distinguished families in that area. He was the youngest of 13 children and was called was called Iñigo. At the age of 15, he served as a page in the court of a local nobleman and later embraced a military career and became a valiant soldier. Wounded in battle by a cannonball, which broke one leg and injured the other, Ignatius was taken prisoner by the French, who set his leg and eventually allowed him to go home to Loyola. He spent his time recuperating at the home of his brother. Confined to his sick bed, he was given pious books to read, which he grudgingly accepted. To his surprise, he enjoyed them and began to dream of becoming a "knight for Christ", pursuing the ideals of St. Francis and St. Dominic. He eventually promised to devote his life to being a knight for St. Peter if he recovered, which he did after nine months of convalescence. Ignatius noticed that after doing good deeds for the Lord, he felt peaceful -- which he termed as a "consolation", but when he thought of being a successful soldier or of impressing a beautiful woman where he had initially felt enthused, he later felt dry. Through this process of discernment, Ignatius was able to recognize that God was leading him to follow a path of service. Out of this experience he wrote his famous "Spiritual Exercises". After traveling and studying in different schools, he finished Theology studies in Paris, Many initially hated Ignatius because of his humble and austere lifestyle. Despite this, he attracted many followers at the university, including Francis Xavier. Quickly, Ignatius started his order, The Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits. He travelled to Europe and the Holy Land, then settled in Rome to direct the Jesuits. His health suffered in later years, and he was nearly blind at death. He died at the age of 65.
Ignatian spirituality is a way to pray, an approach to making decisions, a point of view about God, and a practical guide to everyday life. Ignatian spirituality sees God as actively involved in the world and intimately involved with us in every moment and place. We share with you some prayers, reflections, and meditations that are part of our Ignatian Retreats.
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Programs for Faculty and Staff
Spiritual direction is an ancient practice of meeting one-on-one with a trained person to discuss one's spiritual life. Traditionally one would meet regularly (e.g. monthly) with a spiritual director to share their journey of faith or search for a deeper relationship with God. Spiritual direction is available to people of faith or no religious tradition. Both lay and ordained women and men practice this ministry. Directors do not impose their own agendas or religious beliefs on others. Rather, they listen carefully to the unfolding of directees' lives, so as to help them discern the ways in which God is leading them.
For more information about spiritual direction at USF please contact Fr. Donal Godfrey SJ at godfrey@usfca.edu or though University Ministry.
The Ignatian Spirituality Seminar is an opportunity for faculty, staff, and graduate students to learn more about St. Ignatius and Ignatian Spirituality through weekly conversations of a book chosen for the Seminar. Each week of the seminar is led by different individuals, both Jesuits and Lay people. In the Fall 2011 the group discussed the book "Inner Compass" by Margaret Silf. In Spring 2012 the book discussion was on the book "Already There" by Mark Mossa, S.J.
Date: Fall Ignatian Spirituality Seminar will start on Wednesday September 12, 2013
Location: University Ministry, Lower Phelan Hall
The University Ministry is offering an Ignatian Half-Day Retreat for Faculty and Staff. The retreat is an opportunity to take time out from your busy schedule to reflect on the season and to be introduced to Ignatian values and spirituality. The Half-day includes four presentations, each being 10 to 15 minutes in enguth, as well as opportunity for private reflection and group conversations. Lunch will be provided.
The retreat will take place in Accolti Room in Fromm Hall from 10:00 am to 2:00pm on Friday November 30, 2012
To sign up for the retreat or for further information e-mail University Ministry at um@usfca.edu or call us at 422-4463
Immersion Into Silence: An Ignatian Retreat is offered to faculty and staff to experience the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. The retreat offers individuals an opportunity for them to evaluate their lives in a way that often cannot be achieved due to distractions in life. Retreatants pray and reflect in the silence and meet with a spiritual director daily. This retreat runs concurrently with the Student Ignatian Retreat
The retreat begins 5:00 pm Sunday, March 10, 2013 to Friday, March 15 after lunch. Even though the schedule is set for five nights, we offer the possibility for faculty and staff to make three days (Sunday to Tuesday), four days (Sunday to Wednesday), five days (Sunday to Thursday), or the full the retreat. The Retreat will take place in the Jesuit Retreat Center in Los Altos, CA. The deadline to register is March 5, 2013.
To sign up for the retreat or for further information e-mail University Ministry at um@usfca.edu or call us at 422-4463
For more information, please visit our Retreats Page
The lecture and Q and A with Fr. James Martin, SJ, author of “The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything” took place on February 6, 2012 in McLaren Hall. Fr. Martin shared insights from his latest book “Between Heaven and Mirth” followed by a Q and A with the 300 attendees that included students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, and parishioners from around the bay area. This presentation filled with humor and thought provoking conversation allowed us to gain a deeper appreciation for Jesuit history, mission and identity, and how it all relates to our work at USF.
Bio of Fr. James Martin, SJ
http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-voices/21st-century-ignatian-voices/james-martin-sj/
Interview on the Colbert Report
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/401903/november-09-2011/james-martin?redirect=true
Article in America Magazine
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/staff.cfm?id=8
Programs for Students
Spiritual direction is an ancient practice of meeting one-on-one with a trained person to discuss one's spiritual life. Traditionally one would meet regularly (e.g. monthly) with a spiritual director to share their journey of faith or search for a deeper relationship with God. Spiritual direction is available to people of faith or no religious tradition. Both lay and ordained women and men practice this ministry. Directors do not impose their own agendas or religious beliefs on others. Rather, they listen carefully to the unfolding of directees' lives, so as to help them discern the ways in which God is leading them. For more information about spiritual direction at USF please contact Fr. Donal Godfrey SJ at godfrey@usfca.edu or though University Ministry.
CORE (Community of Reflection) groups are composed of a small number of students led by Resident Ministers. The groups give students opportunities to meet other students and make new friends, as well as afford ways to share with one another their life experiences, support one another, explore their spirituality, share their faith, and to do community service. The CORE groups are open to people of any faith and those without. People respect and learn from one another. CORE is based on three values: Community, Spirituality, and Service.
During the past academic year ninety- three students were involved in CORE. Most groups meet weekly and then many of the groups come together for special seasonal events such as the Community Holiday gathering and the "Waiting and Patience" program. CORE is open to all students. If you are interested in joining a group contact a Resident Minister in your hall.
Date: August 25, 2011 to May 2012
For more information, please visit our Retreats Page
