Carol Atwell Ackels

Carol is Director of the Ignatian Spirituality Institute in Dallas, Texas. There she offers spiritual direction in the Ignatian tradition, teaches classes in Ignatian spirituality, and forms persons moving into the ministry of spiritual companioning. Carol launched and continues to give formation workshops to shape Jesuits and lay who are moving into retreat ministry and spiritual companioning in the Ignatian tradition. She guides others through the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius in various formats at Jesuit retreat houses across the United States including weekend retreats, the Exercises in Everyday Life, and one-to-one directed retreats.

Carol is co-author with Fr Joe Tetlow, SJ of Finding Christ in the World, a 12-week Ignatian retreat. In collaboration with Fr Anthony Borrow, SJ, she developed the Toward Greater Freedom retreat for students and parents at Jesuit high schools.

Carol holds a J.D. from Southern Methodist University (SMU) Dedman School of Law, Dallas as well as a Master of Art in Theology and Leadership from Gonzaga University, Spokane. She and her husband reside in Dallas and are the parents of five adult children, and grandparents to four – all of whom are the light and love of life.