Directing the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola

This course will examine in depth the text of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola, as well as some key related texts. Participants will explore together the Ignatian pattern for growing in intimacy with the Lord and for growing in freedom for discipleship.

 

The course will be taught as a practicum and a seminar, allowing participants to deepen both their knowledge of and their skill in the art of giving the Ignatian Exercises. Each participant will be guided in finding and accompanying at least two persons who will be making the Exercises in everyday life. Participants will form a community of shared learning and mutual encouragement. The course will extend through the entire academic year.

Who Should Participate

The course is open to those who have themselves completed the entire Spiritual Exercises either in the thirty-day format or in everyday life (more or less 30 weeks.) Fr. Thomas Carroll, who will teach the course, will interview each candidate and will approve those chosen to participate.

General Information

Course and program requirements, schedules and tuition are subject to change; and additional fees may be incurred for books and materials. Click here to review all policies prior to enrollment. For additional information, contact the Center at (310) 338-2799 or crs@lmu.edu.

  • Tuition: $750

    Financial aid and payment plans available.

    For information, please call or email the Center at 310-338-2799 or crs@lmu.edu.

  • The program will begin in late Summer 2026. The 13, in-person, classes will be held on Saturday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The class dates are these:


    2026

    August 29
    September 12
    September 26
    October 10
    October 31
    November 7
    November 21
    December 5


    2027

    January 9
    February 6
    March 6
    April 3
    May 8

  • Fr. Thomas Carroll

  • Course Objectives

    • To learn how to read the Spiritual Exercises so to understand the intent of Ignatius
    • To develop insight into how to give the Exercises to believers in our time
    • To recognize the resonances of the Exercises with the Sacred Scriptures
    • To experience giving the Exercises to others, aware that the Spirit is the director

    Topics to be Covered

    • The roots of the Exercises in the Western Catholic spiritual tradition
    • The roots of the Exercises in the experience and psychology of St. Ignatius
    • The centrality of Christ as the One who invites us to personal intimacy
    • The centrality of the Trinity, into whose dynamic life we are invited and called