Inner Peace in Divine Love

“If you walk in the way of God, you will live in peace forever.
Learn where there is wisdom, where there is strength,
where there is understanding,
so that you may at the same time discern
where there is length of days, and life,
where there is light for the eyes, and peace.”

 - Baruch 3:3-14

What are the First Spiritual Exercises?

In the Spiritual Exercises, St. Ignatius Loyola suggests that the Exercises could be made in two ways: the Full Spiritual Exercises (made over a thirty day period or nine months) and the First Spiritual Exercises (made over a shorter period of time). Inner Peace in Divine Love is the first of four retreats in the First Spiritual Exercises.

This retreat will focus on the loving relationship each of us has with God. Beginning with our own experience of love, we will be asked to contemplate all the gifts we have received from God. As we sit with this love, we may seek Christ’s inner peace and the desire to put our love into action.

How the retreat works

The First Spiritual Exercises are integrated exercises that work powerfully together – each day builds on the next and each week builds on the previous one so that the whole five-week retreat is a single, progressive, and powerful experience of grace. Ignatian Spiritual Exercises are real exercises in the sense that they require energy, repetition, trust, patience, and a strong desire to see them through to the end. It is therefore important that your willingness and ability to adhere to the commitments requested be carefully considered before registering.

Commitment requested

Attend all five sessions on Sundays:February 21 - March 27, 2021

February 21, 28 and March 7, 14, 21, 28, 2021

• We will meet from 3:00 - 4:45 PM on Zoom. The graces individuals receive on this retreat often benefit the group. We ask for a commitment to the community, and request that you only sign up for the retreat if you believe you can make it to every session.
• Dedicate 30-40 minutes per day for prayer and 10 minutes for reflection (prayer materials will provided).
• Be willing to reflect on your prayer experience in your personal journal and share appropriately with a small group, which will consist of no more than twelve individuals and will include an Ignatian trained spiritual director.

The retreat will be facilitated by
Spiritual Directors Barbara Bordelon and Liz Pendzich

Cost
While we do not charge a fee for the retreat, we ask that you prayerfully consider making a  donation to support the ministry of Ignatian spirituality, if your circumstances allow. Your generosity will enable others in the Washington metro area to make a retreat.

This retreat will take place in the Fall of 2021

“I felt uplifted, closer to God, and that my life was much more intentional and grounded.”

“I was surprised at what a big part of my life the retreat became. I moved around my schedule for it and that made it all the more special.”

“The spiritual conversation and sharing was surprisingly helpful. I learned a lot from a couple group members.”

"I felt a rhythm to prayer and tremendously appreciated the structure of the exercises; they stretched my usual form of writing out all my prayers versus talking to God the whole time; I believed I learned to listen.”