Retreats                                Spiritual Direction
Ignatius Loyola: the Accessible Mystic
Weekend Retreat
A retreat exploring St. Ignatius' intimate
relationship with God and the ways he opens his experiences to us all through the Spiritual Exercises

After his mid-life conversion and transformation, Saint Ignatius was graced with a life of mystical intimacy with the Holy Trinity.  His gift to all of who follow in his path is a step-by-step guide to mystical union with our loving God.  This weekend will focus on Ignatius’ mystical graces about the Trinity, Creation, the Humanity of Jesus, and the Eucharist.

This retreat draws from a variety of primary sources about the life and person of Saint Ignatius, including:

Our prayer during this retreat will use prayer exercises from The Spiritual Exercises and meditations from An Ignatian Pathway: Experiencing the Mystical Dimension of the Spiritual Exercises by Paul Coutinho, SJ.

This retreat was first offered in September 2011 at the Jesuit Retreat House in Parma, OH.  Some feedback from retreatants is below.

This retreat is scheduled for November 11-13, 2011 at the John XXIII Retreat Center in Hartford City, Indiana.  Visit the John XXIII website for more information or to register.  click here
Feedback from others who have made this retreat:

From Linda who participated in the retreat at John XXIII Retreat Center in Hartford City, IN in November 2011
I found the weekend to be both interesting and moving.  When I attend a retreat I want to be challenged but also supported as I embrace that experience.  Group dynamics sometimes pull me from my comfort zone and yet I was held lovingly as some perspectives within the group awakened my fears.  Pat's knowledge was wonderful but knowledge is always secondary to presence. I am thankful for his presence and his ability to see a greater picture...and for modeling that for us all.  I felt safe...that, to me, is everything.  Thank you!

From Jean who participated in the retreat at Jesuit Retreat House in Parma OH in September 2011
The retreat experience, with Patrick Cleary-Burns as the Spiritual Director, helped deepen my relationship with God. Through Patrick's talks, prayer exercises and meditations, quiet prayer time and group discusions I came to realize that even though God is, and has been, with me always, I may not have always been with God. I need to want and desire His graces all the time. These are His gifts to me that will help make Christ the center of my life. Patrick expertly used several of the Ignatian exercises to lead our group into a weekend of soul searching and God-finding. He is compassionate and knowledgeable and his presentation style refreshing. I look forward to attending his other programs and feel blessed to have been part of this retreat.

From Kathy who also participated in the September 2011 weekend at JRH
I truly enjoyed the weekend. I primarily enjoyed learning about contemplative prayer and eagerly have started to use it. The weekend was reflective, prayerful, and relaxing and provided me with information I could not have received on my own. Your knowledge of Ignatius and how to apply his teachings to my everyday life was so valuable to my everyday prayer life. Thank you again, Pat.