For many years, Manresa sponsored an Internship in Ignatian Spirituality. Manresa has revised this Internship in Ignatian Spirituality into two separate but related programs: a Seminar on Ignatian Spirituality the four mini-courses of which are open to everyone, and an Internship in Spiritual Companionship. Completion of the four mini-courses of the Seminar on Ignatian Spirituality is a prerequisite for the Internship in Spiritual Companionship.

The seminar introduces participants to Ignatian Spirituality. Ignatian Spirituality is for ordinary people living ordinary daily lives. Because it insists that God is with us, this spirituality is a pathway to deeper prayer, good decisions guided by the fruits of discernment, and a life of service to others. It is rooted in developing a real and personal relationship with Jesus and living as His companion in service.

The seminar is organized into four mini-courses.

• The Life and Spirit of St. Ignatius
• Praying with Ignatius
• The Spiritual Exercises: An Overview
• The Dynamics of the Exercises and Ignatian Prayer

• Overview of Reading Scripture
• Infancy Narratives
• Kingdom of God: Mission & Vision
• The Ministry of Jesus
• Passion, Death & Resurrection

Upon completing the Seminar in Ignatian Spirituality, individuals may elect to participate in the Internship in Spiritual Companionship.

The Internship focuses on developing the skills used in spiritual conversations that take place in hospices, jails, nursing homes, hospitals, workplaces or individual settings.

The curriculum includes developing listening and spiritual conversation skills, the dynamics of the Spiritual Journey, forms of prayer and ethical practices. Workshops address the topics of grief, mid-life and aging, mental health and the Twelve Step process. Presenters are members of the Manresa staff and professionals in their respective disciplines.

Interns also engage in one-on-one spiritual conversations or small group leadership roles under the guidance of supervisors.

Internship requirements include:

• Complete the application process
• Participate in monthly workshops
• Complete assigned readings and reflection papers
• Spend at least 60 hours in spiritual conversations
• Complete 12 sessions of supervision
• Lead one group prayer/retreat experience e.g., lectio divina, small group reflections
• Have a spiritual director, meeting monthly or so
• Make a 5 day individually directed silent retreat and a retreat of choice during the Internship

The Internship is generally a two-year process and the cost is $2,200, not including books or retreats.

For more information:

Contact Ann Dillon or Steve Hurd

Manresa Jesuit Retreat House
1390 Quarton Road
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304

Phone: 248.644.4933 Ext. 107

Email: ADillon@manresa-sj.org

WHAT IS SPIRITUAL DIRECTION?
Spiritual direction is about intensifying one’s relation­ship with God. It is noticing and savoring God’s presence in everyday living.

A spiritual director is someone with whom you can talk about your spiritual life. Because every aspect of your life affects your relationship with God, ordinary concerns such as work, family, relationships, emotional hurts, joy, anger, fears, anxieties, addictions or dreams are shared in spiritual direction. A director helps you explore whatever may block you from knowing God’s loving presence as well as whatever may increase that awareness. You are helped to truly see yourself through God’s eyes as the gift you are.

Spiritual direction helps develop the skill of discern­ment, which enables you to be more attentive to how God is leading and guiding you. You grow in noticing the ways in which God is touching your life, directly or indirectly.

Some people prefer the term “spiritual companionship” because “spiritual direction” sounds like one person giving directions, or orders, to another. What you call it doesn’t make any real difference. The reality remains: it is conversation about your life in the light of faith.

Spiritual direction is not counseling. It is not therapy.
It is not financial advice. It is not a friendship.

MUST I COME TO MANRESA TO
MEET WITH A SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR?

While there are spiritual directors who meet with persons at Manresa, there are directors who meet with individuals throughout southeastern Michigan and Ohio.

WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR
IN A SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR?

A spiritual director is someone called to and well prepared for this ministry. She or he should be grounded in the Scriptures, sustained by a deep prayer life and carefully trained in the area of discernment. It may be helpful if she or he has experience or expertise in areas related to your life situation. But it is not essential.

The relationship between you and a director is based on confidentiality and a sense of trust, which enable you to be comfortable and open with your director.

HOW OFTEN DO I MEET WITH
MY SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR?

Frequency varies with individual need and circum­stance. Generally, meeting every four weeks or so is ideal. More or fewer sessions may be appropriate for others.

WHAT DOES IT COST?

It is customary to offer a stipend to support the spiritual director in this ministry. You and the director should discuss this during your first session.

HOW DO I BEGIN?

If you are interested in learning more about spiritual direction or would like to meet with a director, contact Ann Dillon. She is a member of our staff who can answer your questions. She will also help you find a director who would be a good match for you. Ann can be reached by calling Manresa at 248.644.4933 Ext. 107, or you may email Ann at adillon@manresa-sj.org.

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For Men:

• Palm Sunday Men’s Retreat

For Women:

• Women to Women: a prayer group that meets on scheduled Monday mornings
• The Women’s Book Club
• Palm Sunday Overnight Retreat for Women

For Men and Women:

• Bible Study at Manresa
• Christian Yoga: 2019 Schedule
• Gateways into Prayer
• Growing in Prayer
• Holy Week Retreat for Men and Women
• Ignatian Spirituality in the Workplace Series
• Praying with St. Ignatius
• Vatican II Existence with Fr. Jared Wicks, SJ

Further information and registration:

If you are interested in any of these events, click on it and you will be presented with further information and a “Register” button if it is necessary to register. Complete the registration process as instructed.

I – Days of Recollection

In addition to our regular weekend and midweek retreats, we are available for Days of Prayer and Recollection.

Days of Recollection are offered for groups of parishioners or others with a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 80 people.

The schedule for such days can be determined by the group organizer. A typical schedule might be the following:

A group may decide on different arrival or departure times and on the shape of the day. The normal cost for a Day of Reflection (including lunch) is $40 for adults, $30 for seniors, $20 for students; for an evening program that includes dinner add $6. A parish may bring its own presenter or Manresa’s staff is prepared to assist in these Days of Reflection.

II – Time Away for Parish Staff, Lay Leadership, Committees & Groups

Manresa is an attractive place for parish staff, parish lay leadership, or parish committees or other groups to meet, whether for a part of a day or an evening, for a whole day, or for an overnight. If desired, the Manresa staff can supply some appropriate input.

III -Younger People

Manresa can host prayer days and prayer experiences for youth groups or for those preparing for Confirmation. The parish sponsoring such experiences must bring their own director and prefects.

III -A Day to Call Your Own

Manresa offers you a “day to call your own” one day a month to get away from the busyness and noise of everyday life. We provide you with a private room and a simple soup lunch. Enjoy the silence and peace that is Manresa. We have four chapels, a comfortable library, a bookstore; pray at our outdoor labyrinth or Stations of the Cross; enjoy the nature and beauty of our grounds.
The day starts 8:00AM and goes to 3:30PM. Reflect, meditate, pray, walk, soul-search, read and just be.

Our next opportunities will be:

September 19,2019 ; October 15, 2019; November 11, 2019, December 11, 2019

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