Last week we began our first virtual Global Advent Retreat, created for school faculty and staff, grounded in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and centered on the experience of the living God who desires a personal relationship with everyone. 

The retreat offers the opportunity to engage in prayer with educators from all over the world, following the Field Hospital Exercises. These exercises, written by Michael Hansen SJ, are inspired by Pope Francis, who said:    

‘I see the church as a field hospital after battle. The thing the church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful.’    

Based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the Field Hospital Exercises are for everyone and especially relevant now – they provide a space for connection and healing in our times of uncertainty and suffering.  

There is a rhythm to the exercises – it will be familiar to you, as Ignatian educators – experience, reflection, action.   

For this first session or Day 1 the theme was “The Heart of Accompanying”, we focused on companionship and the gift to accompany those who are suffering and journeying alone – especially in these challenging and uncertain times.

Anne and Bob, two highly experienced retreat facilitators walked us through the Prayer Exercise for Day 1, and guided us for our group reflections. It was a very powerful experience. The stillness and the open sharing among other Ignatian educators filled our hearts with hope and love as we realized that we are not alone, that there are others, in other regions of the world who are experiencing the same challenges posed by the current situation. There are others who are also worried about loved ones and those who are suffering at this time. As we prayed together we thought of the wellbeing of those who are feeling alone.

Day 1 was a wonderful experience which we invite you to experience yourself through the recording and the materials available on our Global Advent Retreat Page.

About the Retreat:

The retreat is divided into four sessions (including one pre–recorded session). During each session, you will have the chance to experience a different exercise from the Field Hospital exercises:  

• Session 1: The Heart of Accompanying – live session completed (recording available here)
• Session 2: Clarity of Mind and Heart – Tuesday 8th of December 2020 (+1 day in Australia) 
• Session 3: The Way of Lasting Faith – Tuesday 15th of December 2020 (+1 day in Australia) 
• Session 4 (prerecorded): The Spirit of Service – to be published by Friday December 18th (+1 day in Australia) 

Following the prayer experience, participants are invited to join educators from around the globe in a spiritual conversation – a time for listening to each other and sharing the graces of the exercise.  The online session last approximately 45 minutes. The recording and all the material for the retreat will be available on the retreat page the day after the live session.  

The retreat is being facilitated by Anne Slingo a Teacher of Religious Education and History in Xavier College (Kew, Australia), and Robert Stephan, Director of Ignatian Formation and Adult Spirituality in Loyola High School (Los Angeles, USA).

If you would like to participate in the live sessions, you can register here. there is still time to join!