Our Background
The Ignatian Spiritual Exercises are a centuries-old process that grew out of the personal spiritual experiences of Íñigo López de Loyola and his reflection on the spiritual conversations he had with men and women of his time.
Ignatius developed a dynamic pattern of prayer exercises that invited those who made them to encounter profoundly Jesus Christ, to be deeply converted and to live their daily lives with a renewed sense of mission.
Vision
The Ignatian Spiritual Exercises are a highly effective instrument by which God acts to bring about radical spiritual and personal transformation in our time and culture.
The ministry of giving the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises to modern men and women calls for the highest standards of formation, practice and accountability.
Companions gratefully acknowledges that, in God’s providence, more and more men and women in the Church are being called to this ministry.
Companions
Given the significance of the Exercises for the contemporary Church, the Companions in the Ministry of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises ( Companions ) has been formed to provide those engaged in giving the Spiritual Exercises the opportunity to enhance their understanding and practice of Ignatian spirituality. Companions is a professional association of givers of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises who are committed to the highest standards of formation, ethical practice and accountability.
Disclaimer: Companions has strong links with the Society of Jesus but is itself an independent entity.
Companions offer:
(a) internationally recognised standards for the formation of givers of the Spiritual Exercises;
(b) a code of ethics for the ministry of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises;
(c) on-going formation for men and women engaged in the ministry of giving the Exercises;
(d) annual gatherings of members;
(e) encouragement and mentoring of new givers of the Spiritual Exercises;
(f) networking opportunities.
Statement of Purpose
We are committed to:
- being a community of consolation
- a communication network
- building relationships
- nurturing, encouraging formation and sharing tools for the ministry
- generative dialogue
- facilitating the sharing of the work of the Lord within us
- making sense of our experiences of God
- companioning one another
- listening with the heart to deeper desires
We will explore the idea of a register of the givers of the Spiritual Exercises, and an ongoing review of structures.
Membership
Companions welcomes men and women in formation and those already engaged in the ministry of giving the Exercises to become members so that the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises will continue to be available to men and women. Companions offers:
- Giver of the Full Spiritual Exercises Membership
- Ignatian Spiritual Director Membership
- Giver of the First Spiritual Exercises (FSE) Membership
- Associate Membership
- Student Membership
More detailed descriptions of these types of membership can be found in the Membership Requirements for Companions .
Equivalent Competence
Some givers of the Exercises have a wealth of experience and an obvious charism for the ministry. These men and women may have practiced this ministry for many years, without necessarily having completed a recognised formation program. Companions will formally recognise those givers of the Exercises who can demonstrate equivalent competence, knowledge and experience.
Types and Costs of Membership
Giver of the Full Spiritual Exercises Membership
A person who fulfills the criteria set forth in the Membership Requirements shall be entitled to become a Member.
Membership Fee is $160 per annum.
Ignatian Spiritual Director Membership
A person who fulfills the criteria set forth in the Membership Requirements shall be entitled to become a Member.
Membership Fee is $160 per annum.
Giver of the First Spiritual Exercises (FSE) Membership
A person who fulfills the criteria set forth in the Membership Requirements shall be entitled to become a Member.
Membership Fee is $80 per annum.
Student Membership
A Student Member must be a candidate in a formation program which fulfils the criteria set out in the Membership Requirements .
Membership Fee is $70 per annum.
Associate Membership
An Associate Member must fulfil the criteria set out in the Membership Requirements .
Membership Fee is $70 per annum.