The 19th Annotation of the Spiritual Exercises
The "Manresa Way" of The 19th Annotation
The teaching of St Ignatius of Loyola is that each person is to find a form of the Spiritual Exercises that is best suited for them. So, instead of withdrawing from the world for the traditional 30 days at a retreat house, the 19th Annotation of the Spiritual Exercises is a version of the exercises that takes place over a longer period of time while participating in daily life. The content of the Exercises is the same in both forms.
Manresa Way Spirituality Ministry has offered the Spiritual Exercises retreat for over 17 years, and through it, provides an opportunity for the spiritual Pilgrim to develop a deeper relationship with the Triune God, and a deeper sense of his/her own self, life goals, and motivations.
Manresa Way offers the Spiritual Exercises in the format of the 19th Annotation. This “ retreat in everyday life” takes place over 30 weeks beginning in mid-September and ending in mid-May. The meetings are held on Wednesdays. There is a morning group (9:15 am -10:45 am) and an evening group (7:00 pm- 8:30 pm). Each meeting takes place via Zoom. Zoom allows Manresa Way to share the Spiritual Exercises around the world. The retreat traditionally follows the school year schedule so that school holidays and vacations are taken off (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and a spring break).
The 19th Annotation is NOT a course, nor is it a bible study. It is a retreat where each Pilgrim journeys with a Pilgrim Companion. The leaders of Manresa Way interview each Pilgrim before the retreat begins and then pray for guidance as they pair each Pilgrim with a Pilgrim Companion.
The Pilgrim receives a Prayer Sheet and other guiding material each week. The Prayer Sheets are pieces of the plan that moves one on a journey of spiritual growth. The sheet states the theme and desire for the prayer time of that week along with each day's scripture reading or exercise to experience. The Pilgrim is to commit to a prayerful time of 30 -60 minutes each day following the guidance of the Prayer Sheet. They are encouraged to journal about their prayer experience as well as their experiences of God in their daily life.
Each week the Pilgrim meets with their Companion for faith sharing. This is an opportunity for the Pilgrim to share his/her prayer experience and experiences with God during the week. It is an opportunity to recognize where God is present in his/her life.
After the faith sharing session, all Pilgrims and their Companions gather for a Reflection which is given by one of the Pilgrim Companions. The Reflection offers a review of what has taken place in prior weeks, reflecting on where we have been and what we are coming to now. The reflection also speaks to what the Exercises are asking us to participate in for the coming week. Personal stories are intertwined to reveal how the readings or exercises may open the Pilgrim to a relationship with Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit.
Ignatius encourages all to recognize that they are on their own spiritual pilgrimage. Each person travels their journey with God's grace and in God’s time. All are encouraged to know that “you are exactly where you are meant to be.”
Manresa Way Spirituality Ministry has offered the Spiritual Exercises retreat for over 17 years, and through it, provides an opportunity for the spiritual Pilgrim to develop a deeper relationship with the Triune God, and a deeper sense of his/her own self, life goals, and motivations.
Manresa Way offers the Spiritual Exercises in the format of the 19th Annotation. This “ retreat in everyday life” takes place over 30 weeks beginning in mid-September and ending in mid-May. The meetings are held on Wednesdays. There is a morning group (9:15 am -10:45 am) and an evening group (7:00 pm- 8:30 pm). Each meeting takes place via Zoom. Zoom allows Manresa Way to share the Spiritual Exercises around the world. The retreat traditionally follows the school year schedule so that school holidays and vacations are taken off (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and a spring break).
The 19th Annotation is NOT a course, nor is it a bible study. It is a retreat where each Pilgrim journeys with a Pilgrim Companion. The leaders of Manresa Way interview each Pilgrim before the retreat begins and then pray for guidance as they pair each Pilgrim with a Pilgrim Companion.
The Pilgrim receives a Prayer Sheet and other guiding material each week. The Prayer Sheets are pieces of the plan that moves one on a journey of spiritual growth. The sheet states the theme and desire for the prayer time of that week along with each day's scripture reading or exercise to experience. The Pilgrim is to commit to a prayerful time of 30 -60 minutes each day following the guidance of the Prayer Sheet. They are encouraged to journal about their prayer experience as well as their experiences of God in their daily life.
Each week the Pilgrim meets with their Companion for faith sharing. This is an opportunity for the Pilgrim to share his/her prayer experience and experiences with God during the week. It is an opportunity to recognize where God is present in his/her life.
After the faith sharing session, all Pilgrims and their Companions gather for a Reflection which is given by one of the Pilgrim Companions. The Reflection offers a review of what has taken place in prior weeks, reflecting on where we have been and what we are coming to now. The reflection also speaks to what the Exercises are asking us to participate in for the coming week. Personal stories are intertwined to reveal how the readings or exercises may open the Pilgrim to a relationship with Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit.
Ignatius encourages all to recognize that they are on their own spiritual pilgrimage. Each person travels their journey with God's grace and in God’s time. All are encouraged to know that “you are exactly where you are meant to be.”
