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Retreat Schedule > Using Our Senses: The Doorway to God, Encouragement and Healing through Ignatian Contemplation

Using Our Senses: The Doorway to God, Encouragement and Healing through Ignatian Contemplation

An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Men

January 22 - 24, 2021

Groups Attending: Individuals, Sts. Faith, Hope and Charity (Wilmette), Sts Joseph and Xavier (Wilmette)

This retreat begins on Friday, but there is still space available. To register, call the office at 847-381-1261.

Summary

We find the movement, the presence of God in our ordinary day-to-day lives. Our relationships, jobs, worries, anxieties, hurts, joys, solitudes, all form the canvas in which God moves. Ignatian Contemplation encourages the use of our five senses to actively taste, touch, smell, hear and see God. In this retreat, we will make use of Ignatian contemplation to come to know God/Jesus/Spirit in the concrete experience of our life. During this retreat we will make use of our senses. We want to seek to know the smell of God, the taste of the Spirit, the glance of Jesus, the sound and taste of God's movement, experiencing God's care and perspective on our lives!

Description

This retreat includes several presentations, daily mass, 6 meals, the opportunity for one-on-one spiritual direction with a trained spiritual director, and many other opportunities to explore our 80 acres and almost 60k square feet of  interior space. All activities are optional, but we do ask everyone to respect the quiet of the retreat house for everyone to have the opportunity to read, sleep and reflect in the quiet. 

Bellarmine has two libraries, a resource center, two chapels, and many other common areas. Outdoor spaces include a various walking trails, various prayer gardens, a gazebo, stations of the cross, as well as a few patios and outdoor chairs and benches. Each retreatant has their own bedroom. 

You can learn more about what to expect by visiting this page.

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Retreat Leader

Fr. Jeff Putthoff, SJ

Fr. Jeff Putthoff, SJ, a Jesuit for 40 years and priest for over 28, is passionate about fostering healing communities, empowerment, brain health, and finding God in all things. His diverse experience as a high school teacher, associate pastor, executive director, high school president, and educational consultant informs his unique approach to youth education and organizational life, blending organizational dynamics, leadership, brain health, Internal Family Systems ,and Ignatian spirituality. Currently, he collaborates with dioceses nationwide to boost scholarship funding and enrollment.


As a retreat leader and director of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Fr. Jeff has guided over 80 directed retreats and 180 preached retreats across the country, helping others deepen their connection to God. A sought-after national speaker, he addresses trauma-informed care, organizational dynamics, youth formation, Ignatian spirituality, Internal Family Systems (IFS) Levels 1 and 2, and leadership with expertise and insight.