Days of Prayer/Reflection

The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola are the foundation and hallmark of Ignatian spirituality, and are a great gift for the Church. As a Jesuit ministry, Campion Renewal Center takes joy in being able to make this rich heritage available to all men and women of faith. We offer a variety of programs that will hopefully meet the needs of a wide range of people interested in knowing more about Ignatian spirituality, and making the Spiritual Exercises in one of its various forms (annotations).

First, we offer an introduction to the Spiritual Exercises and Ignatian Prayer (the 18th annotation retreat) in three formats: individual (one-on-one), group, and communal. If you are interested in an individual program, experienced directors are available to meet with you on a weekly basis for about 10 weeks. Cost for the individual program is $15 per session or as agreed with your director. If you are interested in making an 18th annotation retreat along with others please check our weekend programs listed below. Interested groups may contact the Center if interested in making a communal 18th annotation retreat. Reservations for all 18th annotation retreats must be made at least one week before the start of the retreat.

Second, experienced directors are also available to direct individuals in " the Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life" (the 19th annotation retreat). While it is usually better to begin this retreat in the early fall so that the retreat follows the flow of the liturgical year, a 19th annotation retreat may be begun at any time during the year. Most people take about 30 weeks to complete a 19th annotation retreat. More information is provided below.

Third, the staff is also available to direct people in the Spiritual Exercises according to the 20th annotation, or the "long" or "30 day" retreat. More information is provided below.

Introduction to the Spiritual Exercises and Ignatian Prayer (communal 18th annotation retreat)

This powerful, grace-filled experience is for any group (e.g. parish ministry team, seminarians, religious communities, faculty colleagues, campus ministry team, etc.) wanting to deepen their prayer life as a community, and to strengthen their ministry together. The staff is available to work with groups here at Campion or off-site at a mutually agreeable location. Please call the Center to make arrangements.

The Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life
(19th annotation retreat)

Cost: $450
Non-refundable application fee of $10 and deposit of $90 are required

This retreat is designed for those wishing to make the Spiritual Exercises, but whose life circumstances make it impossible for them to make a full-time retreat. The retreat will help deepen one's awareness of God's presence and action in one's life, and help you to integrate prayer into your daily life. Although it is better to begin the retreat in the fall, experienced directors are available throughout most of the year for this retreat.

Interested individuals should be in on-going spiritual direction, and should have made individually directed retreats in the past. Most people take about 30 weeks to complete a 19th annotation retreat, devoting approximately an hour each day to the retreat in addition to a weekly one-on-one meeting with a director. Visit our website for an application, or call the Center office for additional information. An interview will be scheduled with interested individuals after they have submitted their application materials. If accepted, the application fee and deposit ($100 total) will be credited toward the remaining balance. The remaining balance ($350) is due by the 10th meeting unless other arrangements have been made.

The Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life
APPLICATION

The Spiritual Exercises

"30-Day" Retreat

The Spiritual Exercises (20th annotation retreat)
September 29, 2008 to November 1, 2008

Cost: $1900
Application fee: $50 (non-refundable but applicable to final total)
Non-Refundable Deposit: $200 (due on acceptance and applicable to final total)

Making the Spiritual Exercises according to the 20th annotation is sometimes called making the "long" or the "thirty-day" retreat. Individuals interested in making the Spiritual Exercises in this format are expected to be in an on-going spiritual direction relationship, and have made a number of directed (five or eight-day) retreats prior to applying. Retreatants should plan to arrive in time for dinner on September 28th. The retreat begins the following evening and ends with Eucharist on the morning of November 1st, the Feast of All Saints. Retreatants are expected to be available for the entire period of the retreat. Travel and other plans should be made with this expectation in mind. Campion Renewal Center affords retreatants an extraordinary setting within biking distance of Walden Pond, and short drives to Lexington and Concord, Cape Ann, and other famous New England landmarks. The spectacular autumn foliage for which New England is world-famous will provide retreatants with breath-taking natural beauty in which to deepen one's relationship with God

General Information: Applicants are expected to have made at least two five-day (or longer) silent retreats, be currently in spiritual direction, engage in regular prayer, be comfortable using Scripture in their prayer, be capable of maintaining the silence that is important for this retreat. We find that this background and these experiences are important in helping retreatants be able to discuss comfortably their prayer experiences with a director.

We regret that we are not able to accommodate special dietary needs (e.g. vegetarian) as meals are prepared for the entire house. However, salad and fruit are always available at meals. A refrigerator is available for any special foods you may want to purchase, or any medications that may need refrigeration.

Retreat Dates and Costs: Retreatants should plan to arrive in time for dinner (5:45 pm) on Saturday, Sept. 28th. There will be an orientation meeting and social after dinner. The next day will be "free" so that you can settle in, relax, pick up things you may have forgotten to pack, and become familiar with the local area. The retreat begins after dinner on Saturday, Sept. 29th, and ends with Liturgy and lunch on Nov.1st. Retreatants are expected to be available for the entire period. Travel and other plans should be made with this expectation in mind.

There is a $50 non-refundable application fee and applicants will be informed of the decision on their completed application once it has been reviewed. If accepted for the retreat, applicants must submit a non-refundable deposit of $200 to secure their reservation. The combined application fee and deposit ($250) will be applied to the total cost of the retreat. The cost for the 30-day retreat is $1,900. Payment of the balance ($1,650) is due upon arrival for the retreat.

Application Process: We use a "rolling" application process and review applications as they are received, and so we ask you to submit your application at your earliest convenience. In addition to completing the application form and responding to the questions below, please provide the following:

a. A typed 4-5 page autobiographical sketch telling us about the important persons and events in your life and your faith journey. This will help us to know you better, and understand your desire to make this retreat at this time. In your autobiographical sketch please address the following:

-Who is God for you?
-How have your knowledge of/relationship with God evolved over time?
-By what names/images do you know or call-upon God?
-By what names/images does God know or call upon you?
-If you were able to see yourself as God sees you, whom does God see?

b. Please have your spiritual director send us a letter, under separate cover to the address below, indicating his or her support of your making this retreat at this time.

c. For priests and/or religious, please have your superior, bishop, etc. send us a letter, under separate cover to the address below, endorsing you for this retreat.

Please mail your completed application (the application form, autobiographical sketch, and response to the eight questions) and $50 non-refundable application fee to:

Ms. Anne Copponi Campion Renewal Center 319 Concord Road Weston, MA 02493-1398

Spaces are limited, and we encourage you to apply as early as possible. Deadline for completed applications and all supporting materials for this scheduled retreat is August 3, 2008.

We understand that an individual's plans may make it difficult, if not impossible, to make The Spiritual Exercises during the scheduled time in October. Please note that, in addition to offering The Spiritual Exercises during October, directors are available throughout much of the year to direct individuals wishing to make a "Long" retreat at another time if this would be more helpful in terms of their personal plans and needs. Please contact the Center Office if we may be of assistance to you in this way.

30 Day Retreat
APPLICATION