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Do you want to grow in your relationship with God and deepen your experience of prayer?
St Ignatius ofLoyola taught that God can be found in all things. Ignatian spirituality is a spirituality for normal daily life, lived in a way that draws us closer to God – our God who knows and loves us and invites us to draw deeper.
Over six weeks we will introduce you to a variety of ways of praying that are based on the ‘Spiritual Exercises’ of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Each session will include some discussion and reflection time and different forms of Ignatian prayer will be introduced and practised.
Week 1
God in all Things
The Spiritual Exercises begin with the Principle and Foundation – who are we, why were we created, and for what purpose? How do we engage with the world in a way that draws us closer to God? Do we see the gifts that we have been given? We will explore this key prayer, rooted and grounded in the love of God.
As we look at our lives, what are the gifts that God has given us? How has God been with us through our lives, in good times and in challenging times?
Week 2
The Movement of the Spirit
How can we begin to recognise those times when we draw closer to God, and when we are taken further away? Through the daily prayer of the Examen we will begin to recognise the small moments, and choices that guide us as well as the gifts of each day.
Week 3
Images of God
What comes to mind when we think of God? Where did that image come from? So many elements can influence how we see God, and experience our relationship with God. How do those images help us, or hinder us? We will use images and icons as a focus for prayer discovering how praying with art can help where words are inadequate.
Week 4
To know you more clearly, love you more dearly and follow you more nearly
What do the gospel stories tell us about the person of Jesus? Using imaginative contemplation we will pray with a Gospel story and seek to place ourselves as fully as we can within it. We come close to Jesus as we participate in a scene where he is interacting with those around him, and perhaps with us, entering into it as fully as we can using our senses and imagination.
Week 5
Freedom from, and freedom for
The Spiritual Exercises are often referred to as a journey of freedom from, and freedom for…What is it in life that stops us from being truly free? What did St Ignatius mean when he spoke about ‘indifference’ and how does that help us in the choices we make? Using Lectio Divina we will pray with key texts from the exercises.
Week 6
Discernment and decision making
A greater sense of discernment enables us to take stock of where we are going in life and to ask ourselves whether the direction of travel aligns with our heart’s desire. Ignatian spirituality provides ways to discover God’s will for our life and helps us to learn the art of compass reading. We will close by returning to the Examen to review our experience on the course.
Liz Waldy is the Spirituality Lead at the London Jesuit Centre. She began her Ignatian journey about 13 years ago, and has been leading retreats at the centre for many years, she is a trained spiritual director, and before joining the team worked in fundraising and marketing in the charity sector. She lives in South London where she seeks to live a contemplative life whilst enjoying finding God in all the riches of London life, especially theatre, art and all the great places to walk.
Clare Bick joined the spirituality team at the London Jesuit centre in April 2021 and enjoys all aspects of the work there, including spirituality and training courses, hosting regular guided prayer sessions and offering retreats in various forms. Clare is a spiritual director and supervisor and has many years of pastoral experience in the context of ecumenical lay community. She is married, with 3 adult children and has recently become a grandmother.
