Spiritual Exercises

Holy Trinity offers the full Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius in the 19th Annotation format (in daily life) throughout the year. This journey can be incorporated into one's daily routine over an 8- 9-month period.

“We are all here because of a cannonball.” Father Leo Murray, SJ

If you are curious about the events that transpired in the life of Iñigo López de Loyola after being hit by a cannonball in 1521 that led to the Spiritual Exercises, join us for an hour conversation. We will include details about the nine-month retreat and how one can prepare to make this spiritual journey.

Dates for the Upcoming Information Sessions on the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius Loyola

11:00 am to 12:00 pm on Zoom

Saturday, September 21, 2024

Saturday, November 23, 2024 (Note date change)

Saturday, January 18, 2025

Saturday, March 1, 2025

Saturday, May 10, 2025

Saturday, July 12, 2025

If you are interested in attending an information session, please contact Dan Cardinali at retreats+dan@trinity.org.

If you are interested in making the Spiritual Exercises, please contact Crisely Melecio-Zambrano at spiritualdirection@trinity.org.

Illustration of St. Ignatius praying in a cave with a bible and candle

Illustration by Ignasi Flores

What are the Spiritual Exercises?

The Spiritual Exercises provide a structured way of praying that invites the one making the Exercises to a greater openness to God’s Spirit, so that one’s whole being is affected. 

Why does one make the Exercises?
"For just as strolling, walking and running are exercises for the body, so ‘spiritual exercises’ is the name given to every way of preparing and making ourselves ready to get rid of all disordered affections so that once rid of them, one might seek and find the divine will in regard to the disposition of one’s life for the salvation of the soul.” --The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola, Annotation 1

Who can make the Spiritual Exercises?

  • Any adult who is seeking something 'more' in their relationship with God.
  • A person who desires to know and love Jesus more deeply and be more like him in his/her daily life.
  • An individual who wants greater spiritual freedom so that one’s choices are more in harmony with the values of the Gospel.
  • A Catholic, Protestant, or Jewish person who wants to become more aware of “the finger of God” in one’s daily life.
  • Someone who has a major life decision to make.

Where can a person make the Spiritual Exercises?
The 8-9 month retreat can be made while a person lives at home, and continues taking care of their work and home responsibilities. This retreat has been offered at Holy Trinity since the parish was founded in 1794. It consists of the following:

  • Praying with suggested meditations and Scripture passages for 60 minutes each day and reflecting on one's prayer experience. A person taken up with public affairs or necessary business… can set aside for the Exercises an hour and a half a day.” Annotation 19
  • Meeting with a trained Ignatian spiritual guide for one hour each week.
    A 30-day retreat can be made in a retreat house, such as Loyola Jesuit Center in Morristown, NJ,  Ignatius House Retreat Center in Atlanta, GA, Eastern Point Retreat House in Gloucester, MA or Ignatius Jesuit Centre in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

How does one prepare to make the Exercises?

  • Develop a practice of praying daily.
  • Make an Ignatian retreat either at a retreat house or in daily life.
  • Pray the Examen on a daily basis.
  • Become comfortable talking with a trained spiritual guide about your prayer and your relationship with God.

If you are interested in making the Spiritual Exercises, please contact Crisely Melecio-Zambrano at spiritualdirection@trinity.org.