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All around us, to right and left,
in front and behind, above and below,
we have only to go a little beyond the frontier
of sensible appearances in order
to see the divine welling up and showing through.
But it is not only close to us, in front of us,
that the divine presence has revealed itself.
It has sprung up universally, and we find ourselves
so surrounded and transfixed by it,
that there is no room left to fall down and adore it,
even within ourselves. By means of all created things,
without exception, the divine assails us,
penetrates us and molds us.
We imagined it as distant and inaccessible,
whereas in fact we live steeped in its burning layers.
| | ~ Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ, The Divine Milieu | | |
This month, as we celebrate the Feast of St. Ignatius on July 31, seems like a good time to reflect on what makes our spiritual direction Ignatian.
Brian O’Leary, SJ, notes the importance of being rooted in the Spiritual Exercises and surfacing desires that lie deep within the hearts of directees. Click here to read more about his vision. In his book Handing on the Fire: Making Spiritual Direction Ignatian, Joe Tetlow, SJ, writes, “We must live discerning how we might pass on the fire, the great Good news of God’s merciful love.”
In order to pass on this fire, we must live “steeped in its burning layers,” as Teilhard de Chardin suggests. These burning layers refine and revitalize. They kindle fresh sparks of passion and purpose. They ignite flames of justice and joy. And they melt away worry and fear as we rest in the warmth of God’s most merciful love.
This newsletter offers fuel for stoking the flames of your fire, including inspirational articles, spiritual direction and supervision formation opportunities, programs on timely topics, and rich resources for your summer reflection. So please take some time to savor all that it offers.
As we celebrate St. Ignatius this month, let us be united in spirit, giving thanks for the gift of Ignatian Spiritual Direction and the grace it offers. I’ll be giving thanks for each of you and the ways that you pass on the fire of God’s love.
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Summer blessings,
Nancy
Nancy Small
Associate Director for Spiritual Direction Initiatives
Office of Ignatian Spirituality
USA East Province of the Society of Jesus
929-232-3056
nsmall@jesuits.org
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Two Languages, One Voice: The Trauma-Informed Spiritual Exercises
A Virtual Series for Ignatian Spiritual Directors and Givers of the Spiritual Exercises
Program Leader: Rev. Rob McChesney, SJ
3 Sessions: Sept. 11, Oct. 9, Nov. 13, 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm ET
Session 3 Special Guest: Dr. Lisa López Levers
Program Fee Options:
- $125 (includes discounted copy of Fr. McChesney’s book for first 150 registrants)
- $100 (book not included)
The ISDI offers generous financial assistance for those in need of it. Click here to apply.
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Contemporary trauma studies and clinical practice point to the impact of trauma on the mind and emotions. But what of the impact of trauma upon the soul and related implications for spiritual practice, Ignatian spirituality, and pastoral care? Trauma-informed care requires a focus on body and soul, mental health and spirituality – two languages, one voice in the recovery process.
This program is for Ignatian spiritual directors and givers of the Spiritual Exercises who seek to grow their understanding, capacity, and skills to accompany affected victim-survivors and those who love them. Grounded in Jesuit Fr. Rob McChesney’s pioneering new book The Soul Also Keeps the Score: A Trauma-Informed Companion to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, the series will explore the origin story of St. Ignatius through the lens of contemporary trauma theory; identify concrete tools that are central to Ignatian spirituality; and highlight the trauma-informed significance of the Exercises’ “three powers of the soul” – memory, intellect, and will.
Participants will come to appreciate what Fr. Kevin O’Brien, SJ, means when he says, “This book will change the way I understand and offer the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius to others.”
Click here for more information and to register.
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The Good News of Supervision
Read the latest in our Good News of Supervision series featuring personal stories of supervision and how it helps to inspire professional growth for spiritual directors and foster greater interior freedom.
Our most recent Good News story, The Gifts of Supervision, was written by John Hanrahan, who recently completed the Art of Supervision Formation Practicum Training at the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality
Click here to read more about this series and explore opportunities to share your good news of supervision story.
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Supervision Trainings
New from Together in the Mystery (TIM)
Practicum in Supervision; facilitated by Maria Tattu Bowen and Vanessa Caruso
Together in the Mystery's online Practicum in Supervision is ideal for:
- Spiritual directors who have received a short introduction to supervision and are currently serving as supervisors
- Spiritual directors who have completed one or more short courses on supervision without a practicum
- Experienced supervisors without formal training
This supervised practicum features:
- A self-paced, asynchronous orientation to the TIM model of supervision
- Conversations with instructors
- Eight sessions of individual supervision and mentoring over the course of a school year
Completed at your own pace. Click here for more information (including prerequisites) and to apply.
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Certificate in Reflective Practices
Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology
This 15-month program provides the tools and competencies to facilitate the process of reflecting on ministry. Reflective practices is defined as a form of ministry and life-long learning intended to help others reach greater competence in their respective ministries.
This program consists of two five-day seminars on campus. The rest of the program is done at your convenience with supervisory sessions arranged to suit your schedule.
Registration deadline is Oct. 1, 2025. Click here for detailed information. Please contact Agnes M. Kovacs at akovacs@saintmeinrad.edu with questions.
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Are You in Need of Supervision?
Supervision is “the covenant we make with our spiritual directees,” according to a seasoned supervisor. If you are in need of individual or group supervision, here are two good resources to connect you with a trained supervisor:
Together in the Mystery
Ignatian Spiritual Direction Initiative (limited to spiritual directors living within the Jesuits USA East province – Maine to Georgia)
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Are You a Trained Supervisor Who Offers Supervision?
If you are a trained supervisor who is available for individual or group supervision, please click here to complete a registration form detailing your supervision training and the type(s) of supervision you offer. If you have registered with the Ignatian Spiritual Direction Initiative previously as a supervisor, there is no need to complete another form.
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Take a few moments to view or listen to the July segment in this series of short monthly reflections by Ignatian spiritual directors in the spirit of this Jubilee Year of Hope. This month’s reflection is by Rev. Joe Tetlow, SJ, who is is well-known and beloved for his extensive writings on Ignatian spirituality. Choosing Christ in the World, his handbook for making the full Spiritual Exercises in everyday life, has been translated into a number of languages. His recent books include Handing on the Fire: Making Spiritual Direction Ignatian and Becoming an Easter People.
Click here to view the video recording and/or listen to the audio recording.
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HORIZONS Spiritual Direction Training Program
The Spiritual Renewal Center, Syracuse, NY
HORIZONS offers a two-year practicum-based program. Three of the eight students pictured above completed their training in June 2025.
A member of this year's graduating class defines spiritual direction in this way, "Creating a space of hospitality which encourages the flow of grace and carves out a space for discernment and transfiguration of the soul."
If you are interested in the HORIZONS training program, please contact Meg Castellini, Interim Director at mail@spiritualrenewalcenter.com.
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Spiritual Direction Internship Initiative
Spiritual Direction Internship Initiative, Brighton, MA
Mostly online with 2 in-person retreats
Application deadline: Up to August 31, depending on availability of space.
Extensive training program is held every Tuesday beginning after Labor Day and continuing through mid-April. Read more about the program here.
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Tending the Flame Spiritual Direction Formation Program
Ignatius House Jesuit Retreat Center, Sandy Springs, GA
Mostly online with 3 in-person retreats and 1 in-person residency. Application deadline: November 2025
Next cohort begins March 2026. Read more about the program here.
| | Family Matters Pairs Parents with Spiritual Directors | | |
Ignatian Young Adult Ministries, an initiative of the Office of Ignatian Spirituality, partnered with GoodFaith, a non-profit Catholic apostolate, for a pilot program called Family Matters that began last fall. One unique aspect of this program is that it pairs parents with spiritual directors.
Sixty-five families in the pilot program were accompanied by more than fifty spiritual directors affiliated with the OIS. We invited three of these spiritual directors to share their reflections on this experience.
Click here to read the full article and learn more about how this program is kindling faith in the context of family life in dynamic ways.
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OIS Catalog of Spiritual Directors
The Office of Ignatian Spirituality maintains a confidential database of trained spiritual directors within the Jesuits USA East province (Maine to Georgia) currently available to offer spiritual direction in the Ignatian tradition. This is a valuable resource for seekers trying to find a spiritual director and for spiritual directors seeking referrals.
If you have completed a spiritual direction training program, live within the boundaries of the Jesuits USA East province, receive ongoing spiritual direction, participate in regular supervision (individual or group) and pursue annual spiritual direction education/formation opportunities, we invite you to register in the OIS Catalog. It is important that all spiritual directors abide by the Guidelines for Ethical Conduct published by Spiritual Directors International. Click here for more information and to register.
Already registered?
Please take a moment to update your information. Let us know if you have moved, work at a different ministry, or changed your email address. We’d also like to know about your experience, expertise and training as a spiritual director. If your availability to accept referrals for new directees has changed, please let us know.
Spread the Word!
Do you know of trained spiritual directors who may have the desire and availability to be listed in our Catalog of Spiritual Directors? Maybe those who have recently completed training programs? We are in need of qualified spiritual directors in areas where we receive frequent requests (including New York City and Baltimore) and in areas where spiritual directors are few and far between (including central and southern VA). Thanks for helping us spread the word!
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Coming Soon!
OIS Catalog of Spiritual Directors Covenant
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In the coming months, we will be introducing our newly-created Catalog of Spiritual Directors Covenant to all spiritual directors listed in the OIS Catalog of Spiritual Directors. This covenant commits spiritual directors in our Catalog to uphold basic criteria in an effort to promote accountability and affirm competency in our spiritual direction referral process. The covenant includes an ethics training module that all spiritual directors in our Catalog will be asked to complete.
In August, we will provide a detailed overview of this covenant by email to all spiritual directors registered in the Catalog. Please be on the lookout for this email (which may end up in your spam folder). In the meantime, we encourage all of you who are registered in the Catalog to update your records to reflect the fullness of your training, experience and expertise. Click here to update your record.
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Holy Fire: Sexual Integration in Spiritual Direction
St. Francis Springs Prayer Center
Aug. 5, 2025, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
St. Francis Springs Prayer Center, Stoneville, NC, and via Zoom
Registration Deadline: July 25, 2025
This workshop, intended for spiritual directors, supervisors and students in formation, focuses on understanding and fostering sexual integration and developing tools for addressing sexual issues which may arise in spiritual direction. Click here for more information and to register.
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Spiritual Exercises Revisited
Spiritual Direction Internship Initiative
Oct. 2, 2025 to Dec. 11, 2025 (7 sessions) | Online
Discounted fee before Sept.1.
Expand your knowledge and intensify your experience of the Spiritual Exercises. Refine your art and skill and expand your creativity as a director of the Spiritual Exercises. Deepen your wisdom regarding the dynamics of the Spiritual Exercises. Read more about the program here.
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Nurturing a Discerning Heart: Gifts and Capacities for Spiritual Discernment
A Professional Day for Spiritual Directors and Ministers
Program Leader: Karen Doyle, SSJ
Oct. 23, 2025, 10:00 am - 3:30 pm ET
Sisters of St. Joseph Center for Spirituality, Ocean Grove, NJ
Click here for more information and to register.
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Save the Dates!
Fairfield's Spiritual Exercises Conference
June 13-15, 2026
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Showing the Way to God
A Conference for Practitioners of the Spiritual Exercises
June 13 - 15, 2026, Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT
Hosted by: The Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality of Fairfield University
Co-Sponsors: Jesuits USA East Province and the Office of Ignatian Spirituality
This national conference, the first of its kind, is intended to provide practitioners of the Spiritual Exercises with new perspectives, best practices and networks of support. There will be full group presentations, break out groups, discussions and time for prayer, relaxation and reflection. Mass will be provided daily.
The cost is anticipated to be under $500 and includes housing and meals. More information coming soon.
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Coordinator of Ignatian Retreats
Holy Trinity Catholic Church
Holy Trinity Catholic Church, a dynamic Jesuit parish in Washington, DC, seeks an energetic, trained individual to plan, organize and execute various retreats (in daily life), collaborating with a highly-qualified retreat team. The incumbent will also help us to expand our retreat offerings, support Holy Trinity’s highly regarded Ignatian training program, and expand opportunities for spiritual growth for our parishioners and others.
A full job description and application instructions can be found here.
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Virtual Resources for Ongoing Formation
Are you interested in flexible spiritual direction formation programs designed to fit your schedule? Enrich your summer with these valuable offerings:
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"Spiritual direction is about a relationship that is going somewhere. That somewhere is the transformation of our world. Those who seriously commit to Jesus and his reign do so realizing what we are up against. Still, faith empowers us to strive to ameliorate our world. Jesuits, and all who follow Jesus, are called to be servants of Christ’s mission."
~ Rev. Richard Malloy, SJ, in Spiritual Direction: A Beginner’s Guide
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