What do you really want?
What does God want for you?
How is God calling you to serve?
This course introduces people to the richness of the spirituality of Ignatius of Loyola (1491–1556) who was a pioneer in proposing ways for the individual to attain spiritual freedom. It is an ecumenical Christian course and is open to people of goodwill from all traditions.
Ignatius of Loyola’s reflection upon his relationship with God and documentation of his understanding has transmitted to us great wisdom in The Art of Spiritual Direction and the discernment of spirits in our life. This wisdom takes a clear and compelling form in his Spiritual Exercises.
Open sessions 2023
For people interested in applying for the course this year, the following open sessions are available:
24 May, 11:00-13:00 – Open session in person at Mount Street
15 June 14:00-16:00 – Open afternoon over Zoom (open to applicants for either the Zoom or in person course)
Additionally, there is a separate open afternoon for the Ignatian Enrichment course:
13 June, 14:00-16:00 – Open afternoon for Ignatian Enrichment, taking place over Zoom
Reserve a place on Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/ignatian-spirituality-course-8617634110
The Course (3 years, in person or online)
The aim of the course is to form participants in The Art of Spiritual Direction and in giving the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola in their various forms. We aim to support participants in discerning where God is leading them in their ministry. For some, this will be to work in forms of spiritual direction and giving retreats. Others may be led along other avenues.
The course is led by an experienced staff of laypeople, religious and clergy, and runs for one day a week (11:00 – 16:00) over three years. The course year runs from September to July.
In addition to the usual ‘in-person’ Course based at the Jesuit Centre in London, we are also offering an online version of the Ignatian Spirituality Course, also running from this September 2023.
Applications to the course are open from 1 March 2023. Please see the applications tab for more details.
Ignatian Enrichment (1 year, online)
This one-year ecumenical course aims to form experienced spiritual directors in giving the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola. The next Ignatian Enrichment course (formerly called the Top-Up course) will begin in September 2023 and will be run as an online-only course, taking place from 11:00 – 16:00 on Thursdays.
The course provides participants with the opportunity to engage with the theory and application of the text of the Spiritual Exercises. In addition, participants are helped to develop their skills in spiritual direction, especially the competence and reflective practice needed to be able to give the Spiritual Exercises by the 19th Annotation. This course may also be suitable for previous graduates from the 3-year Ignatian training as a way to refresh their ability in giving the Exercises.