The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius
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Wild Ignatius: Finding God in Nature
God dwells in all creatures;
In the elements, giving them existence, In the plants, giving them growth, In the animals conferring on them sensation, In humans giving them understanding. I ponder how the Divine dwells in me. --Ignatius of Loyola St. Ignatius knew that God wants a personal relationship with each of us and communicates with each of us continually through the wonder and beauty of creation. This 8-week program, based on the structure of the spiritual exercises, invites us to become more attentive to nature, to learn to notice the ways in which we are connected to and part of creation and to become more aware of the sacred in all things.
The program includes praying with scripture, poetry and nature writings; journaling, experiences in nature (Holly is also a certified master naturalist) and reflection.
This might be the program for you. For more information, contact Holly here. Or join the latest group forming--see below. |
Spring 2023. Wild Ignatius: Finding God in Nature
This small group Ignatian experience will focus on finding, experiencing, and connecting with the sacred in creation. St. Ignatius understood that true relationship arises from the particular. Often an encounter in nature is more than an observation of beauty or a moment of peace—it is an opening into Mystery, a felt experience of connection to the Source of all that is. The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius offer powerful tools for awakening to God's presence in all things; nature offers us a way to encounter God in a particularly intimate way.
Over 8 weeks, our small group will move through the 4 "weeks" of the Ignatian Exercises, exploring our relationships with an untamed God, the natural world, and our own wild souls in light of God’s unceasing creative love.
We will meet once a week for 8 Tuesdays for spiritual conversation based on our experiences in prayer and in nature.
When: Tuesday, March 21 at 6:30 pm--the spring equinox--through Tuesday, May 9. Each session will last approximately 90 minutes.
Where: 2000 S. Winton Rd, Building 4, Ste. 200
Cost: $225
Questions? Contact Holly.
Over 8 weeks, our small group will move through the 4 "weeks" of the Ignatian Exercises, exploring our relationships with an untamed God, the natural world, and our own wild souls in light of God’s unceasing creative love.
- In “week 1,” we contemplate creation to open our hearts to God’s revelation of love. The practices of gospel contemplation and the eco-awareness examen are introduced as well as an ecological approach to the principle and foundation.
- In “week 2,” we consider the Incarnation, the birth of Jesus, and God alive in all that is. We begin to consider the beings of creation as kin, beloved of God and with intrinsic value of their own. We wonder how live in communion with nature in order to cooperate with God’s dream for the world.
- In “week 3,” our focus shifts and quietens. We mourn the desecration of creation. We ask God for the grace to understand our place in this web of life that also includes violence, sacrifice, and death.
- Finally, in “week 4,” we move toward wild hope. We engage with the contemplation to love as God loves, seeking the awareness and the will to work alongside God in creation.
We will meet once a week for 8 Tuesdays for spiritual conversation based on our experiences in prayer and in nature.
When: Tuesday, March 21 at 6:30 pm--the spring equinox--through Tuesday, May 9. Each session will last approximately 90 minutes.
Where: 2000 S. Winton Rd, Building 4, Ste. 200
Cost: $225
Questions? Contact Holly.