The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius are like a good fitness regime. You keep practicing it long after the coach is done coaching, long after the initial fun has worn off, and long after the novelty has faded away.  

Taking the Spiritual Exercises becomes part of who a person is, a way to Jesus in everyday life.  The real fruit of the yearlong program only just begins when the retreat is done. It continues to grow, yielding richer fruit throughout life.  

Many have heard of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola or the Spiritual Exercises in Daily Life. Many have even pondered partaking in it.  Life is so busy. It gets busier with each passing year.

People seem to put off doing things like taking the Spiritual Exercises, waiting for a time when they can spend more time in prayer and let God in.  Trouble is, without an intentional decision, time keeps moving on with more and more distractions from all that is truly life giving.  

Those who participate in the Spiritual Exercises learn tried and true methods of prayer. They also discover and understand their own core spiritual foundation and how that should affect life choices.  The Spiritual Exercises help learn how to discern, or make better decisions.  

All of this will help to move from a "reactive" life which fails to yield peace and joy, to an intentional life in closer union with God. Participants may find themselves moving from paralysis and inaction, or a treadmill of constant action, into the river of grace which is God's plan for them. This life changing retreat will be offered again this September in various locations in the diocese.  

For retreat information and application contact Gini Schultz at 716-837-6020 or Joseph Ritzert at 716-627-5530.