Ignatian Immersion Course in English (14th year)
THE IGNATIAN CHARISM FOR THE WORLD OF TODAY
An International pilgrimage on Ignatian Spirituality
Objective
This course offers the opportunity to deepen the legacy of Ignatius of Loyola, both as an inspiration for authentic Christian living in contemporary society in the Church, and as a means for the spiritual formation of individuals and groups. The course is aimed at all those connected with the Ignatian charism, the broad Ignatian family (Jesuits, members of other religious institutes and lay people).
Programme
We begin with the personal experience of Ignatius, the pilgrim, an experience that sheds light on how people come to grow in the Christian life. Then, after an individually guided 8-day Ignatian retreat, we will approach the text of the Spiritual Exercises from a mystagogical and pedagogical angle. We will look at the "historical sources" and the beginnings of Ignatius' work, culminating in a study of the "Formula of the Institute" and the Constitutions of the Society of Jesus. The course will conclude with reflections on the relationship between the teachings of Ignatius and life in mission today, towards an openness to the Ignatian charism that enlightens us to face the challenges of today's world.
Method
Lectures, personal study and an ongoing dialogue will complement each other to help participants integrate their diverse spiritual experiences. An important feature of the course is the community experience from the diversity of the Ignatian family, living in the place where Ignatius himself spent an important part of his life, Manresa. Ignatian places (Montserrat, Loyola, Xavier) will also be visited, so that the study can be vivid and contextualised. This quality of spiritual experience will be a constant throughout the course, as well as appropriate times of prayer and Eucharistic celebration.
0. Arrival date, opening day and presentations
- Arrival day: Sunday, APRIL 26th
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Opening day and Presentations : Monday, APRIL 27th and tuesday 28th
1. Ignatius of Loyola and Us. The Autobiography and the Spiritual Diary
- From wednesday, APRIL 29th to monday, MAY 4th
A sapiential reading of the Autobiography as the matrix of a spiritual process, comparing the experience of Ignatius with our own experience and spiritual autobiography. The study of the Spiritual Diary will not only introduce us to the highest levels of Ignatius’ spirituality but will also make it possible to understand better the characteristics of Ignatian mysticism.
Include several visits to Ignatian Manresa.
Lecturer: Javier Melloni SJ
Sunday, MAY 3 rd: Visit to Montserrat
2. An Individually Guided Retreat
- From tuesday, MAY 5th (evening) to tuesday, MAY 12tw (evening)
- Wednesday, MAY 13th Transition day
3. Pilgrimage to Loyola and Javier
- Thursday, MAY 14th to sunday 17th
- Monday, MAY 18th – Transition day
4. A Mystagogical Approach to the Spiritual Exercises
- From tuesday, MAY 19th to thursday, MAY 21 st
We shall look at the text as a mystagogy, that is to say as a path for spiritual transformation (every Week is a step), where the whole person is introduced to a new self-understanding o her/himself, of God and the world, in an interconnected relationship that enables the finding of God in everything. - Lecturer: Javier Melloni SJ
5. Sharing Ignatian Experiences I
- Friday, MAY 22 nd:
- Ignatian Spirituality and human body.
- Saturday, MAY 23rd : Recollection Day
- Sunday, MAY 24th: Celebration and Community Day
6. In touch with the Sources of the Ignatian Charism
- From monday, MAY 25th to thursday, MAY 28th
During these days we will immerse ourselves in the life of the early Society of Jesus. In this journey, we will discover the sources that form the foundation of the Ignatian charism and on ongoing reflection of it. As we continue to walk with Ignatius, we will discover the many companions, men and women, who walked with him. In part, that will lead us to discover the role of the First Companions. In addition, our journey will lead us to inquire together about the silent presence of women in the life of Ignatius and the early Society of Jesus. We will conclude with a reflection on seminal Jesuits in the early life of the Society: Peter Faber and Juan Alfonso de Polanco. Our goal in this part of the course is to draw new inspiration for our ministry from these early moments in the life of the Society of Jesus.
Lecturer: Christopher Staab SJ
- Friday, MAY 29th: Visit to Barcelona (Ignatian places and Sagrada Familia)
7. Sharing Ignatian Experiences II
- Saturday, MAY 30st:
- Ignatian Spirituality, traditions and inculturation.
- Ignatian Spirituality and arts ministries.
- Sunday, May 31st : Celebration and Community Day
8. Constitutions
- From monday, JUNE 1 st to thursday JUNE 4th
The life experience of Saint Ignatius and the Early Companions have culminated into the founding of the Society of Jesus. The spiritual dynamic found among these early Jesuits has been instilled in the Society’s foundational documents, most specifically, its Constitutions. This module offers an in-depth study of the Constitutions of the Society of Jesus and its intimate connection with the Autobiography and the Spiritual Exercises. In doing so, a blueprint may emerge for those who are interested in applying the same Spirit to form a new body, whether it be a religious institute or social organization, in contemporary time.
Lecturer: Hung T. Pham SJ
9. Ignatian Spirituality and global cultures
- From friday JUNE 5th to saturday JUNE 6th
Lecturer: Chukwuyenum Afiawari SJ
- Sunday, JUNE 7th: Celebration and Community Day
10. Ignatian Spirituality: a living tradition for the mission
- From monday JUNE 8th to tuesday JUNE 9th
Lecturer : José Ignacio García SJ
11.Gratitude Day
- Wednesday, JUNE 10th
12. Departure
- Thursday, JUNE 11th
How to apply?
By sending and e-mail to
ignatiancourse@covamanresa.cat
- Admissions opened
- During november, you will receive an email with the answer of your admission. Once accepted, please proceed to the payment of the course at PAYMENT OF THE COURSE (not before). Thank you very much.
What are the organizing institutions?
- International Center for Ignatian Spirituality (Cave of Saint Ignatius)
- EIDES (School of Ignatian Spirituality), Cristianisme i Justícia. Barcelona
Check in during April 26th and check out early morning June 11th