News & Updates | Decemember 2025 | | | |
It is here. Advent. The beginning of a new Church year. It is a time of anticipation, hope, promise, a time of Holy Mystery, the Mystery of God’s revelation of Love for us in Jesus, his Son.
Mystery. I enjoy reading good mysteries. I enjoy following the plot, looking for clues, immersing myself in the author’s words, marveling at the creativity, and anticipating how it might end. I invest myself in the unknown.
With Jesus, I am invited also into a process of mystery, but this process is a two-person, living relationship. And there is no ending.
Mary and Joseph knew mystery. As they anticipated their miracle child and finally held the infant, Jesus, in their arms, they lived their journey in mystery, getting to know Jesus in a most intimate, deeply personal way. We are invited to do the same. How is the Spirit inviting you and me into a more intimate relationship with Jesus, the Son? With each of us, the path may be different.
To enter Jesus’ story, am I called to more quiet prayer time? Am I called to see and serve Jesus in the people around me? Am I called to ponder the vulnerability of Baby Jesus and my own vulnerabilities? Is God giving me clues about how I, from my perspective as a parent, might better understand Jesus? If I feel alone, can I let Jesus, who knows abandonment, sit with and comfort me? How am I called to receive the Mystery of Love? How am I called to better know and love Jesus?
I do not need to do this alone. I can ask the Spirit for the graces needed to know Jesus in a deeper way, to recognize the clues, God’s invitations in the journey. I can pray with Scripture. And I can listen to, share with, and be supported by my brothers and sisters who are on the same quest to know the Mystery of Jesus, the Mystery of God’s Love.
Jesus, in response to your desire to be known by us, we cry out “Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.”
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Cheryl Smith
RIEL Retreatant
Ignatian Maine Team Member
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Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Corpus Christi, save me
Blood of Christ, intoxicate me
Water from the side of Christ, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
Oh good Jesus, hear me
Within your wounds, hide, hide me
Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Corpus Christi, save me
Blood of Christ, intoxicate me
Water from the side of Christ, wash me
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Don't let me be separated from you
Protect me from the evil enemy
In the hour of my death, call me, call me
Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Corpus Christi, save me
Blood of Christ, intoxicate me
Water from the side of Christ, wash me
And order me to come to you
So that I may praise you with your Saints
Forever and ever
Amen
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Into the Darkest Hour
by Madeleine L’Engle
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It was a time like this,
War & tumult of war,
a horror in the air.
Hungry yawned the abyss-
and yet there came the star
and the child most wonderfully there.
It was a time like this
of fear & lust for power,
license & greed and blight-
and yet the Prince of bliss
came into the darkest hour
in quiet & silent light.
And in a time like this
how to celebrate his birth
when all things fall apart?
Ah! Wonderful it is
with no room on the earth
the stable is our heart.
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Please join the entire Ignatian Maine community as we continue to pray for our Retreatants journeying through the Spiritual Exercises and for each other during this season of Advent and Christmas.
We send you our heartfelt prayers.
From the Members of the Ignatian Partnership of Maine
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God of good news, each Christmas you begin again to reshape our lives and communities.
You do not start from the outside, but from within. You begin in the hidden place.
Behind the inn.
Before the marriage.
At the wrong time.
You invite a handful of guests into your company.
Shepherds.
Local children, perhaps.
Maye some animals.
You join the community of the invisible ones.
The homeless and hopeless.
Refugees, fleeing a tyrant king…
Remind us that the greatest joy promised to the whole people starts with those who need it most, in places where they hide.
Remind us, with all our seasonal cheer and tinsel, that some people are left out in the cold;
that it is there with them that you are being born into the world again;
that it is there through them that you will change the world.
God of good news, help us to find you again in the hidden place.
Amen.
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With a mission to keep you connected with the Spirit and each other, Ignatian Maine works to be a clearing house for opportunities to be together. See below for our current list of happenings.
Join us as you can and please invite those who need to share the joy with us.
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Blue Christmas Service
Wednesday, Dec. 17, 6:30 PM
Our Lady of Hope Parish (St. Pius X Church)
492 Ocean Ave., Portland
There are many reasons why a quiet time, centered on God’s gentle love, can be part of this Season. This quiet service of word, reflection and song is offered for those who may find the “holiday joy” to be jarring or uninviting.
All are invited to join us in this time of reflective prayer. There is a large, well-lit parking lot.
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Our Lady of Hope – A Jesuit Ministry, A Welcoming Parish
All are welcome here: long-time parishioners, new arrivals, those seeking a spiritual home, those who have been away, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, new Mainers, immigrants, and those who may be separated or divorced.
We are all God's children. All are welcome.
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Rejoice: Journey On!
An evening of prayerful music for Christmas and Epiphany
Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, 7:00pm ET
In person:
Regis High School Chapel
55 E. 84th Street, NYC
Via Livestream:
IgnatianSchola.org
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Showing the Way to God
A Conference for Practitioners of the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola
June 13-15, 2026
Fairfield University
In response to the need for deeper formation in the Spiritual Exercises, the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality of Fairfield University, will host a two-night, three-day conference for practitioners of the Spiritual Exercises on June 13-15, 2026, at Fairfield University. Showing the Way to God: A Conference for Practitioners of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, promises to be a stimulating few days of sharing new perspectives, best practices, and creating networks of support.
Keynote Speakers
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Rev. Kevin O’Brien, SJ - Vice Provost, Executive Director, Fairfield University Bellarmine
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Erin Cline, PhD - Paul J. and Chandler M. Tagliabue Distinguished Professor of Interfaith Studies and Dialogue, Georgetown University
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Damian Zynda, ThD - Assistant PASE, Executive Ignatian Formation, UEA Province of the Society of Jesus
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Rev. Brian O. McDermott, SJ - Special Assistant to the President, Georgetown University
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Sr. Joan McCarthy, CSJ - Spiritual Director, Gonzaga Retreat House
To find out more about the conference and to register, please click here.
Those who register by January 31, 2026, will receive a 10% discount. Please consider joining us for this formative conference!
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Eastern Point Retreat House
Welcoming people of many faith traditions; giving them a place to pray, to step away from the distractions of daily life, and have an encounter with Jesus Christ.
Currently offering the full, 30-day Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius; numerous shorter silent, directed retreat opportunities (for 3, 5, or 8 days); days of reflection; and guided retreats.
| | If you know someone who might be interested in any of our offerings, please share! | | This message was sent by the Jesuits East Office of Ignatian Spirituality (OIS) on behalf of the Ignatian Spirituality Partnership of Maine. OIS is pleased to provide communications support to Ignatian Maine. | | | | |
