630-880-6136
an ORDINARY CHRISTIAN WOMAN aka Cecilia T. Whitacre
(Acts 4:13, 19:11)
St Ignatius of Loyola's Spiritual Exercises
Transformation Intensive
Join me next fall 2025 and experience the spiritual exercises of Ignatius of Loyola.
The Exercises are designed to help people encounter Christ in the Gospel narratives and be transformed by Him.
"It is a school of prayer, healing and spiritual renewal and provides a context for decision making and discernment."
Applications are now open and will close June 1st, 2025 (or when the spots are full) to give time for serious consideration and interviews.
This is a rigorous eight-month course.
You will meet weekly with a listening group in person and/or online from Sept 2025 to May 2026.
There is also an expectation to set aside an hour a day during the week that will include: prayer, reading, scripture meditation and other exercises that are given.
The course and gatherings will be facilitated by Spiritual Director Cecilia Whitacre
and use the materials from Transformation Intensive developed by Dc. Valerie McIntyre.
I hope to offer two groups
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Friday morning group @ 9:30am-Hybrid meets three weeks online and the 4th week in person.
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Wednesday morning group @ 9:30am CST will meet fully online (with the option of attending the opening & closing retreat in person, if desired).
Fee for the program is: $900 total (pd in installments $400 by 8/1, $250 by 12/1, $250 by 3/1,2026)
The fee includes access to the teaching videos, workbook, and facilitated meetings each week by a trained spiritual director.
Small additional fee for retreats and 2 books you will purchase on your own.
Applications (see below) are due by June 1st and the $100 fee (applied to the cost)
will reserve your spot.
A non-refundable (transferable) deposit of $400 is due by Aug. 1st
Kick off Retreat is Fri. Sept. 12th in person (Wheaton area) & online 9:30am-1pm
Once in a Lifetime
Most people do the exercises fully once in their lives, but continue to return to elements receiving continual fruit. Often they are considered life-changing and people point to them as one of the most pivotal experiences in their spiritual journey and relationship with Jesus.
The exercises were originally intended to be a 30 day retreat facilitated by a spiritual director.
T.I. uses the 19th annotation for ordinary people in daily life who are unable to be away for 30 days. This accommodation spreads the exercises out over eight months.
Discernment
Prayerful discernment is needed by both the person entering the exercises and the one facilitating them. After applying, an interview will be arranged to help in determining if this is the right time, fit and season for the retreatant.
It is suggested that you discern with your own spiritual director, godly mentors & small group about your readiness and capacity.... along with prayerfully noticing God's invitation to participate at this time in your life.
If you have no familiarity with the Exercises, this book is a great place to start:
What Is Ignatian Spirituality?
by David L. Fleming
"What is Ignatian Spirituality? It is a spiritual 'way of proceeding' that offers a vision of life, an understanding of God, a reflective approach to living, a contemplative form of praying, a reverential attitude to our world, and an expectation of finding God daily."
