So this Thurday I'm leaving for a Jesuit retreat house and I'll be there until Sunday afternoon. I've never gone through the spiritual exercises before and I haven't really talked to anyone that has either. Basically I signed up without knowing what to expect at all. The prayerfull silence appeals to me because I want to be like Samuel and say "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening"- but here at home it is often difficult to listen only to what God has to say to me. I've been praying and hoping for months now that I will come home next week with a clearer understanding of what my vocation is.

But like I said, I've never gone on a retreat like this before- so any advice, reccomendations, suggestions, etc. on what to expect, what to do while I'm there, what to focus on, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you and God Bless!
-Keith

Keith,

This might not be much help but I think the best thing for you would be to go just as you are. Open your heart but don't expect anything.

One of the nice things about an Ignatian retreat is that they are totally guided. You won't have to try and make something of the retreat totally on your own. You'll go to instruction and then you'll be given time to absorb and pray.

God Bless. Please let us know how it goes when you return.

btw, where is this retreat? Who's giving it?

Hi Keith,

I went on an 8 day Ignatian retreat two years ago. It was a wonderful experience but if you are serious about opening yourself to God then God will answer your prayer.

I learned alot about myself but some days were a struggle as well. Your director will help you to hear what God is telling is saying to you. It may be something you didn't want to hear and/or it may be something you didn't know abut yourself.

Regardless of how this time goes for you remember this time with the Lord is gift and if you allow the Holy Spirit to move in you it can be life changing. So "Be still and Know that I am God".

DM

Praised Be Jesus Christ!

Oh I've heard alot of great things about Jesuit Retreats, here in St. Louis we have the whiteHouse which is run by the jesuits and a few of my parishiners go there and have said nothing but wonderful things, it will be a wonderful experience for you I'm sure, and just as others have said, go with an open heart, open mind and let the holy spirit guide you, and ask our lord to make it known to your heart what is his will and I will be praying that you will have a fruitful and meaningful retreat!!

God Bless You!

Thanks for all the comments! I'll definately keep all your suggestions in mind. It's at this place called Montserrat over in Lake Dallas. Who's running it? I'm not sure, it didn't really say- but I think it's the Jesuits who are there full time.

Here's the link.
http://www.montserratretreat.org/

In Christ,
Keith

Good for you Keith, I'm happy for you. I have done a 30-day Ignatian Retreat years ago and still relive the experience up to now. I echo the advice that all our good friends gave you above. If I may add a couple of advices.

Go to the retreat without any agenda in mind and heart. You are in God's schedule and agenda now and He will show you the way. The spiritual exercises of St. Ignaitus will purposely occupy your mind and heart so as not to leave you "wondering" about certain questions, and "wandering" about certain things. Let the exercise lead and guide you where God is.

Forget all the questions you have in mind. Spiritual exercises is not the proper time or the moment to answer questions. It is a moment of discovering God ever present in all your thoughts and mind and heart. The immersion to the Divine and the Sacred will reveal to you all and everything that God is and more. After your indepth comtemplation on the revealed presence of God, then answers to some of these questions will be given without you asking for it.

Do not ask the Lord for anything -- He already knows what you need before you can even ask for it! Rather, just report to Him for duty as soldier ready for battle. As you have quoted young little Samuel's opportunity to hear the Lord, remember now, God has to call him three times before it was revealed to his master that it was YHWH who was calling him. And still, Eli did not quickly decipher what was going on with young Samuel until much later. Such is "Listening to God": God will call you over and over and over again and you will perhaps respond not knowing why and how and where. The call of the Lord happens NOT in the lucid moments of our lives but in the unconscious times when we least expect. Sometime, somewhere in these unguarded moments of your life when God calls, don't worry, someone, somebody out there will recognize the call and will tell you exactly how to respond. Perhaps your response would be like Samuel, "speak Lord, for your servant is listening!"

Once you have returned to the world after your exercises, your experience should linger and continue on in the daily events of your life. But now you will learn to see and hear things differently. Your eyes have been opened to the greater light that Christ is and your ears have been accustomed to hear the voice of the Shepherd. Enjoy the moments and let it live in your heart and mind long after the retreat is over. Then in the most unexpected moment, your God will call you the third time and you shall answer Him.

Paix de Dieu,
Mel

I did an Ignatian one day retreat, it was very interactive.

It was given by Charis ministries.

Although it was a one day Lenten Day of Prayer, it was a very interactive retreat, very reflective. The entire gospel of Mark was acted (actually sung) by a group of young people and directed by Fr. Michael Sparough. He is a theatre buff, so it was AWESOME! The conclusion of the retreat entailed Confession with over 10 Jesuit Priests to chose from! It was very moving.

It was one of the most beneficial days of prayer I have ever had the opportunity to attend.

You will leave with intense peace.

Lauren

i think that is a great idea.

I think it is a good idea to ask for a few things, but God does know what you need.

One of the biggest points to remember about a retreat is that if you really feel like doing something (and it is a good thing) do it.

There will be times, say in the middle of exercising where you feel called to pray. Do it. Or you might have a tough time with one of the meditations but something else grabs your attention. Just go with the flow and don't worry so much about doing it wrong.