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Retreat Schedule > Ignatian Spirituality in a Secular Age

Ignatian Spirituality in a Secular Age

An Ignatian, Silent Overnight Retreat for Adults

April 16 - 17, 2027

Groups Attending: Individuals

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Summary

This retreat explores how Ignatian spirituality—rooted in discernment, interior freedom, and an understanding of one’s unique role in the work of justice and love—is not only necessary and relevant in today’s world, but also invitational to those who are religiously unaffiliated, spiritual but not religious, seeking, or otherwise not part of a particular spiritual home. Participants will engage in prayer/reflection and conversation as they integrate the gifts of the Ignatian tradition into their lives with depth while honoring their own spiritual identity.

Description

This retreat includes several presentations, daily mass, 4 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

Dr. Lauren Schwer

Dr. Lauren Schwer is a trained educator, dedicated minister, and experienced spiritual director. She serves as the Director of Ignatian Spirituality at Loyola University Chicago where her primary role focuses on supporting and inviting faculty and staff to see themselves as animators of the university’s mission. This work is done through offering seminars, workshops, orientations, and consultations for various departments and schools on campus; coordinating mission-based work in the Athletic Department; and facilitating a variety of retreat opportunities including the Spiritual Exercises. Having taught at the high school, undergraduate, and graduate levels, Lauren’s passion for teaching currently has her instructing courses in spiritual direction, the Spiritual Exercises, and other Ignatian Spirituality topics at Loyola’s Institute of Pastoral Studies. She is the co-author of My Life in God’s Project, a modern adaptation of the 19th annotation of the Spiritual Exercises and co-founder of Spiritual Grounding, an online business aimed at helping people connected to Ignatian spirituality in contemporary and relevant ways. Dr. Schwer graduated from Boston College with a Bachelor of Arts in Theology. She earned a Master of Pastoral Ministry degree at Boston College, and received an Ecumenical Doctor of Ministry degree at Catholic Theological Union. Her doctoral project was "Deepening a Sense of Belonging: Making Space for Religiously Unaffiliated Employees in Jesuit Higher Education."
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