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, December 13, 2025

Saturday, January 17, 2026

Saturday, March 7, 2026

Saturday, May 9, 2026

If you are interested in attending an information session, please contact Ed McCormack at emccormack@trinity.org.

If you are interested in making the Spiritual Exercises, please contact Ed McCormack at emccormack@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 offer a person a powerful journey into the mystery of Christ's life, death and resurrection.  Through the 8-9 month journey, a person can grow in freedom, intimacy with Christ, self-knowledge, and skill of discerning spirits. 

Why does one make the Exercises?

  • To grow in freedom to better serve Christ
  • To grow closer to God through Christ
  • To discern a major life decision

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 working and taking care of their 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 Ed McCormack at emcccormack@trinity.org.