News & Updates | April 2026 | | | |
The past couple of years, I kept hearing the call to pause and dig deep. This seemed to lead me to a restlessness I had not lived in a long time.
What are you trying to tell me Lord?
Then at the very last minute, a notice was placed in front of me about this 9-month retreat with the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Nine months! I have to commit to daily prayer, monthly group gatherings plus work with a spiritual director. In my busy world, this was asking a lot. But that call kept bugging me.
I asked God – should I, or shouldn’t I?
I DID and it was the best and most precious gift I could ever have given myself.
The retreat allowed me not only to reconnect with God but with the God of Love in the mystery of the Trinity – Dad, Jesus and Holy Spirit; Jesus through his Passion; and Mary, Mother of Jesus, as my advocate. Not long after the retreat, I participated in a 6-week book reflection "Seeing with the Heart" which was a tremendous help in the continuation of my quest to get closer to Jesus. In our third Tuesday night session, Fr. Paul’s hand out suggested drawing a map of one’s prayer journey. Liking lists and organizing things, I decided to use that concept to draw a map of my past couple of year’s search for what is truly important in one’s life. Over lots of thoughtful prayer, here is the map of where I believe I am and trying to get to.
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My Prayer Journey
Jesus called me and gave me the need and hunger to go to him
Which led to
Finding the retreat (by chance or meant to be?)
Which led to
HOPE: And the courage to truly seek him, to know him, to befriend him
Which led to
JOY: Found in his letting me know - I AM. I AM God. I AM with you!
Which led to
COMPASSION: And trying to live in non-judgment,
teaching me to "live deeply" and to “See with the Heart”
which I pray will lead me to
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE: The total gift of myself to Dad, Jesus, Holy Spirit
and those He wants me to serve.
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It seems that God, the Trinity, and Blessed Mother are leading me somewhere. Not sure where or how or when...but please pray that I am able to listen and live deeply in my heart to answer his continuous call. I pray for all who are or have shared in my journey that you may also hear his continuous call.
And, if it bugs you, listen harder.
God Bless!
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Rachel Desgrosseilliers
RIEL Retreatant 2024-2025
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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 throughout Lent.
-Members of the Ignatian Partnership of Maine
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During these unsettling times, we can turn to Thomas Merton for a prayer of hope.
My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
Amen.
| ~ Thomas Merton (1915-1968)
American Trappist Monk, Theologian, Writer, Mystic Poet |
| LOOKING FOR A NEW PODCAST? | | |
AMDG: A Jesuit Podcast
A production of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States, AMDG: A Jesuit Podcast, brings Jesuits and friends together to look at the world through Ignatian eyes, always striving to live Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam -- For the Greater Glory of God.
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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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Evening Mass at St. Pius X Church, OLH
Tuesdays, 6:30 PM
Our Lady of Hope Parish - A Jesuit Ministry (St. Pius X Church)
492 Ocean Ave., Portland
Attending a weekday mass can be a beautiful way to continue the Sunday celebration and bring the joy and blessings and community of the liturgy into our everyday lives. In response to parishioners unable to fit the 9:00 a.m. Mass into their schedules, OLH has added an evening mass on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. Join us!
The Mass is also available online via our livestream on the parish website: ladyofhopemaine.org. (Just scroll down until you see the video player and press the PLAY button.)
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Via the Ignatian Way
Via is the latest program from the Office of Ignatian Spirituality (OIS) – a rich, 10-month introduction to Jesuit tradition and Ignatian Spirituality open to adults of all ages.
Currently Via is looking for volunteer facilitators to help guide participants on their Ignatian journey. Please consider helping OIS with this endeavor. Your support will benefit the OLH community this fall in beginning their own Maine-based cohort.
OIS's next virtual and in-person cohorts will launch in September (locations TBD). Volunteer facilitators will deliver thoughtfully designed curriculum with the full support of OIS, giving you everything you need to lead with confidence.
If you have a strong relationship with Ignatian spirituality and are looking to accompany others in their Ignatian journey, this is a meaningful opportunity to gift your time and talents — in whatever format works best for you.
To learn more or sign up, visit the Via webpage (IgnatianVia.org) or email Marselys Lucero at mlucero@jesuits.org.
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Showing the Way to God
June 13-15, 2026
Fairfield University
A Conference for Practitioners of the Spiritual Exercises: clergy, women religious and others who are offering the exercises in various formats and settings
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
Please consider joining us for this formative conference! To find out more and to register, please click here.
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Good source of prayer material, reflections, etc. |
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From the US Jesuit Conference. | |
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All things Ignatian from
our friends at OIS.
| | 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. | | | | |
