Loyola University Maryland Spiritual Exercises in Daily Life 2025-2026 Aspirant's Self-Assessment Application

THANK YOU for your interest in praying the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. In addition to completing this Self-Assessment Application, all retreatants must attend (1) Zoom Information Session (Thursdays, May 15 or June 26 or August 7 at 7:00pm). The Zoom link is https://loyola.zoom.us/j/9671575255.

Please address the following items/questions as fully as necessary. While the fields look small, you may relay as much information as you like. The more you do so, the more helpful we can be. This self-assessment is intended to help you articulate and clarify your desires - as well as assist your potential spiritual guide in helping you discern if the retreat is right for you at this time and how best to proceed. Your honesty and openness are appreciated.

Applications will be processed on a rolling basis, accommodating as many retreatants as our supply of spiritual directors permits. Once your application is submitted it will be reviewed. You may be contacted for further information or clarification. As soon as we are able, we will notify you of your acceptance into the program. Your $200 fee is due at the time of your Application. See payment portal below.

The final application deadline is August 15, 2025.

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Phone Number

Mailing Address

Country

Street

City

Region

Postal Code

What is (are) the reason (s) you are considering the Spiritual Exercises at this time?

What are your hopes, desires, concerns?

Do you foresee anything in the next eight or nine months that could impact your ability to complete the Exercises? (e.g. work, family, travel, health, etc.)

How did you come to hear about the retreat program?

Describe your prayer life: How, and how often do you pray (e.g. rosary, centering prayer, lectio divina, daily, sporadically, for 15 minutes, for an hour, etc. Please be as concrete as possible)

How much time each week do your prayer practices consume?

Are you comfortable with learning/doing imaginative and contemplative prayer?

Describe your retreat experience (if any) for the past several years, including the type of retreat (e.g. guided, individually directed, weekend, etc.) Do you have experiences with Ignatian prayer forms? (Once again, please be as specific as possible in outlining your recent experience here)

Are you presently involved in regular spiritual direction?

How often do you meet with your director?

Are you comfortable with the idea of talking about your spiritual experiences?

Would you be comfortable sharing about your prayer in a small group of other retreatants?

If you have a spiritual director who you wish to guide you through the Exercises, please share their name:

If you do not have a spiritual director to guide you through the Exercises, and have a strong preference for a Jesuit priest, a religious sister or a lay person (male or female) as your guide, please advise. Your request will be accommodated as we are able.

When meeting weekly with your director, please advise your preferred venue:

In-Person

Via Zoom

Hybrid (In-Person & vis Zoom)

There will be optional small group gatherings (in-person and via Zoom) twice a month. Please indicate if you are interested:

This particular Ignatian Retreat is a rigorous experience that requires the dedication of time and discipline over the course of 9 months. It is not for everyone - and blessedly there are many other more modest ways to engage with Ignatian spirituality and prayer.

Those who do embark on this retreat will need to commit to the following:
*One uninterrupted hour of daily prayer and journaling
*Weekly hour-long meetings with your spiritual director
*Attend an Orientation Session via Zoom on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 7:00 pm
*Encouraged attendance at large group gatherings
-Advent Prayer Service: Tuesday, December 10, 2024 via Zoom
-Lenten Prayer Service: Tuesday April 1, 2025 via Zoom
-Easter Prayer Service: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 via Zoom

*Optional Small Group Gatherings: Wednesday mornings, 9:30-10:45 am/twice a month at Colombiere Jesuit Residence, 5704 Roland Ave, Baltimore, MD 21210
*Optional Annual Lenten Ignatian Weekend Retreat: Friday, April 4 - Sunday, April 6, 2025 at Loyola on the Potomac Jesuit Retreat House in Faulkner, MD

Obviously, none of us can foresee the future, but as you examine the above and consider the obligations, schedules, and routines you presently have and will inevitably need to adapt, is this a feasible time for you to make the Spiritual Exercises? Please elaborate.

Payment

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