Following Our Holy Desires
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Men
October 6 - 8, 2017
Groups Attending: Individuals, Catholic Community of Northbrook, St. Anne (Barrington), Joe Bussone Group, St. John the Evangelist, Holy Family (Inverness), Holy Cross Batavia, Holy Family (Inverness), St. Raymond's Cathedral, KC Ryan/Chicago, Pioneer Group
This retreat begins on Friday, but there is still space available. To register, call the office at 847-381-1261.
Summary
One central tenet of Ignatian spirituality is that God speaks to us in the deepest desires of our heart. Recognizing and following these holy desires can help us to configure our will to that of the Father and help us to find a place of "genuine happiness and spiritual joy."
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.
Retreat Experience Gallery
Bellarmine Main Entrance
Sacred Heart Chapel
Mary McKeon Library
St. Joseph Gazebo
Mother Teresa Garden
Eastern Africa Collection
Fireplace Lounge
Dining Room
Winter on the Grounds
Resource Center
Sacred Heart Statue at Sunset
Susie's Memorial Garden
Madonna Library
Lower Level Lounge
Retreat Leader
Fr. William Blazek, SJ, MD
Fr. William Blazek, SJ, MD is the Director of the Apostleship for Prayer. Father Blazek served five years in the 101st Airborne Division and earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Rush Medical College, entering the Society of Jesus in 2001. After completing a Masters in health care ethics at Loyola University Chicago, Father Blazek was an assistant professor of medicine at Georgetown University. He has served as an advisor to the US Secretary of Defense on the Defense Health Board, Director of the Integritas Institute for Ethics at the Newman Center of University of Illinois Chicago, and as Retreat Director at Manresa Jesuit House of Retreats in Convent, LA.