Our hybrid program, consisting of an in-person retreat as well as a combination of virtual and in-person classes, will focus on the dynamics of the spiritual direction conversation in the tradition of St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Spiritual Exercises. A spiritual director in training will learn how to help a person listen contemplatively to God’s movement in their life.
The internship will begin with a two-night retreat at Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House from January 6-8, 2025, followed by bi-weekly virtual classes from 4 pm to 7 pm between January 2025 and April 2026. Additionally, there will be three in-person classes at various points throughout the internship.
Classes will meet virtually twice per month (except during June, July, and August 2025) with a focus on teaching the theory of spiritual direction as well as interactive training in listening and responding skills.
Later sessions will focus on an overview of the dynamics of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola and highlight St. Ignatius of Loyola’s discernment of spirits in relation to specific issues in spiritual direction, e.g. aspects of female versus male spirituality, experiences of mourning and suffering, and navigating transitions in the life cycle.
Interns will participate in a Spiritual Direction Practicum with individual and group supervision. There will be three in-person classes that meet at Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House at various points in the internship.
You can find out more about dates, tuition and deadlines here. To apply for the Spiritual Direction Internship Program, please complete this online form. If you need an application sent you to via email, please contact the office at 847-381-1261.
Meet the Instructors
Mrs. Lynn Sprehe, MA Psych, MPS, is a spiritual director trained in the Ignatian tradition and Coordinator of the Spiritual Direction Internship Program. She is a Clinical Professional Counselor with graduate degrees in Pastoral Studies and Clinical Psychology. In addition, Lynn enjoys offering workshops based on Ignatian Spirituality and sharing Ignatian Spirituality to individuals and small groups. She is married and the mother of three sons.
Nancy Hulsebosch is a Spiritual Director grounded in the principles of Ignatian Spirituality, having completed a three-year spiritual direction internship at Bellarmine. Nancy’s roots in the Jesuit tradition trace back to Marquette University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in 1986. She later received a Master’s degree from National-Louis University. In addition to providing spiritual direction and leading individuals in the Spiritual Exercises, Nancy is active in various ministries in her parish, particularly Scripture study. Nancy is married and the mother of four children.
Fr Bill Creed, SJ has multiple academic degrees in theology and spirituality, in law and in counseling. His doctoral project focused on the parallels between the Twelve Steps of Recovery Programs and the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius Loyola. He is a Jesuit priest from Chicago who is the co-founder of the Jesuit Renewal Center, chaplain and co-founder of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps in Chicago, founder of the Internship in Spiritual Direction in the Ignatian Tradition, and chaplain and co-founder of the Ignatian Spirituality Project for those experiencing homelessness and addiction. He has published a practical commentary on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and many articles on spirituality. He offers spiritual direction accompaniment and teaches Spiritual Direction Formation Programs, an Advanced Internship in the Spiritual Exercises, and online seminars on approaches to the Spiritual Exercises through Bellarmine Retreat House.