Centre for Ignatian Spirituality (CIS)

The Centre for Ignatian Spirituality forms part of the Jesuit Institute of South Africa. The work of CIS is to share the spirituality of St Ignatius of Loyola. We work across cultures and religious denominations to provide opportunities for retreats both residentially and in daily life and train spiritual directors in the Ignatian tradition. We have a mixed team consisting of laity trained in Ignatian Spirituality and Jesuits. What we offer:

• The Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius
• Residential Retreats 30-days; 8-days; 5-days
• Weekend retreats
• Retreats in Daily Life including parish retreats and Weeks of Guided Prayer
• Workshops on the Discernment of Spirits
• Enneagram workshops
• On-going Spiritual Direction
• Supervision of Spiritual Directors in groups and individually
• Talks and presentations on Ignatian Spirituality
• Ways into Ignatian Prayer Course
• Prayer Guide Training
• An advanced training in Ignatian Spirituality
• Retreats for Teachers

RETREATS IN DAILY LIFE-6 WEEK PROGRAMME For those people who want to make a retreat but lack the time, we offer ad hoc retreats in daily life. Retreatants meet once a week with a guide for about 45 minutes and commit to an additional 5 prayer periods during the week. If interested contact JISA and ask for Frances or Puleng. 50% Deposit upfront will ensure your booking. Tsoseletsa An exciting new programme of prayer aimed at adults. These retreats will be run in township parish setting and follow a dynamic that draws on people’s existing prayer life and Ignatian Spirituality. Coming Spirituality Events 8-day Individually Directed Retreat Dates: Evening of the 14th—morning of the 23rd August 2009 Venue: St Dominic’s Retreat Centre, The Bluff, Durban Cost: R2000.00* (All inclusive) Contact: Frances 011 403 3790 * Limited Bursaries available for those in genuine need Encounter with God A Lenten retreat for busy people Weekly Individual Direction Session for 5 weeks Beginning 25th February 2009 Ash Wednesday Service at St Pauls’Chapel Parkview 6pm To book please call: Lynn 011 8808570 Cost: R300.00 Subsidies available on request Journey in Prayer 6 Week program: Thursday Evenings in Lent Starting Thursday 26th February 2009 Time: 7– 8 pm Venue: Parish Hall St Charles Victory Park Cost: R20.00 per person per session Please register with Barbara Gearing 011 8884432 or 072 451 0960 The Examen - Praying My Day God communicates with us at every moment but often we are so busy we don’t notice his nudges and invitation. This little exercise of praying over the experience of your day takes only ten minutes and will help you to become more aware of what God is saying to you especially if you do it regularly.

• Take some time to slow down from the rush of the day and become aware that God is with you. Ask God to show you where he has been drawing you through the events of your day.
• Think back over the day from the time you woke up and allow it to replay in your mind-almost like rewinding and playing a video cassette.
• Notice the different things that happened and how they left you feeling.
• Notice first moments in the day which drew you closer to God. You can discover these by noticing the experiences which left you feeling more generous, more hopeful, more alive and creative; times when you felt peaceful, excited or content.(eg. perhaps attending a particularly interesting lecture; spending time with friends or receiving an encouraging e-mail or sms). Sometimes painful moments like hearing something on the news which makes you more aware of the suffering of others can also draw you closer to God. Ignatius called all of these ‘moments of consolation.’
• Spend some time thanking God for those moments of consolation in your day and storing up those experiences in your heart to encourage you in the tough times.
• Now notice moments in day when you felt alienated from God, others or yourself. Times when you felt frustrated, ill-at-ease; anxious or trapped; moments when you felt less generous; less open to God. Ignatius called these moments of desolation.
• Spend a few minutes bringing those moments in the day to God and asking for whatever healing or forgiveness you need.
• Think about the day ahead and what grace you need. Maybe you need courage to cope with a difficult meeting or energy to cope with a very full day. Whatever it is you need ask God for it confident that he wants to help you.