Breaking Open the Word
THE IGNATIAN WAY
Rooted in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, The Ignatian Way is a dual-track nine-month program that forms and endorses emerging leaders for public ministry in preaching and spiritual companionship while nurturing care for the whole person with retreats and regular prayer.
About Ignatian SpiritualitY
Ignatian spirituality grounds Ignatian Way Preachers and Spiritual Companions to:
See life and all of creation as gifts that call forth wonder and gratitude
Value the experience of the whole person, imagination, emotions, and intellect
Seek the divine in all things and the everyday life of peoples, cultures, and the human experience – especially in the person of Jesus.
Cultivate an awareness of personal and social evil, and the all-powerful love of God
Emphasize freedom, the need for discernment, and responsible action
Encourage leaders to be in service and solidarity as men and women for others, giving preference to the poor and helping to build a more just and humane world
The Programs
The Ignatian Way Preachers and Spiritual Companions are grounded in the Spiritual Exercises and its gospel message that is rooted in justice and includes all persons. As inspiring leaders of diverse ages and cultures, The Ignatian Way Preachers and Spiritual Companions are called to serve the people of faith in the Pacific Northwest region.
program characteristics
Hybrid endorsement program that can be completed in one year in a small cohort
Formation in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius
Care for the whole person through retreats, rest, and prayer
Enriched learning through small cohorts of diverse participants
One-on-one coaching (preachers) or spiritual direction (spiritual companions)
A funded year-end individual or team project
The Ignatian Way Certificate of Endorsement from the ISC
What is Preaching?
At the Ignatian Spirituality Center, preaching is more than delivering homilies or sermons—it is any way the Word is shared: in Mass, retreats, small groups, conversations, or online. Preaching belongs not only to the ordained, but to anyone moved to share the Gospel with love, imagination, and authenticity in daily life.
IGNATIAN WAY PREACHERS
The Ignatian Way Preachers program forms persons to break open the Word with imagination, justice, and spiritual depth. The process nurtures authentic, culturally relevant proclamation for today’s diverse communities.
Participants in The Ignatian Way Preachers will:
Grasp the core principles of preaching
Integrate Ignatian spirituality and prayer into their preaching
Learn to engage diverse and young adult audiences
Cultivate authentic voice and preaching identity
Gain insight and personal wisdom
Apply tools for vocational discernment and decisions
IGNATIAN WAY SPIRITUAL COMPANIONS
The Ignatian Way Spiritual Companions program forms persons to practice listening, sharing the Word, and guiding prayer for one-on-one and group settings. The process is preparation for guiding others with authenticity, spiritual depth, and attentiveness to God’s movement.
Participants in The Ignatian Way Spiritual Companions will:
Understand the essentials of being a spiritual companion
Integrate Ignatian spirituality and prayer into their ministry
Learn to engage diverse and young adult audiences
Grow in their identity as a spiritual companion
Gain insight and personal wisdom
Apply tools for vocational discernment and decisions
Program Elements
The Ignatian Way encourages all participants to be open and curious as learners, to deepen their understanding, and broaden their view of themselves, their faith, and world. Endorsement in The Ignatian Way requires the participation in the following.
All IGNatian Way Participants
Fall opening orientation retreat weekend
Spring closing retreat and and celebration
Experiential learning of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius
A funded year-end individual or team project
Regular prayer and reflective writing
Readings from diverse authors of Ignatian spirituality and preaching
Optional events and conferences
THE Ignatian Way Preachers
One-on-one coaching
Online seminars with BIPOC theologians, Ignatian practitioners, Jesuit teachers
THE Ignatian Way Spiritual Companions
Spiritual direction
Monthly in-person formation meetings
Schedule
THE Ignatian way preachers
Opening Orientation, Dumas Bay Retreat Center: October 31-November 2
Spiritual Exercises Formation: Saturday mornings, December 6, January 17, February 14, March 14, April 11, May 9
Online Preaching Seminars
Series 1: Wednesday evenings, November 26, December 3, 10
Series 2: Wednesday evenings, January 14, 21, 28
Series 3: Wednesday evenings, February 25, March 4, 11
Series 4: Wednesday evenings, April 15, 22, 29
Closing Retreat & Celebration: St. Mary's On-the-Lake: June 13
The Ignatian way Spiritual Companions
Opening Orientation, Dumas Bay Retreat Center: October 31-November 2
Spiritual Exercises Formation: Saturday mornings, December 6, January 17, February 14, March 14, April 11, May 9
Spiritual Companion Meetings: Tuesday evenings, December 9, January 20, February 17, March 17, April 14, May 12
Closing Retreat & Celebration: St. Mary's On-the-Lake: June 13
Application
Who Should Apply?
The Ignatian Way formation program is open to ecumenical BIPOC and young adults (22-39 years old) in the Pacific Northwest who are committed to sharing their faith with others: emerging leaders, lay ministers, pastors, teachers, spiritual directors, chaplains, and others who seek to deepen a call to ministry in their community.
The Application
Applications are due no later than August 30.
To apply for either The Ignatian Way Preachers or The Ignatian Way Spiritual Companions, please fill out the application linked below. In addition to basic information, you will be asked for:
A short spiritual autobiography (250 words) that includes important influences such as people, events, authors or circumstances that impacted your spiritual path and choices. This may be written into or attached to the online application.
Why you applied for the program you chose.
How you see participation in The Ignatian Way impacting your life of faith and call to ministry.
References
Provide two references from people outside of your family who are familiar with your faith life and call to ministry. Contact your references and give them the appropriate link to their reference form and ask them to respond before August 30.
Ignatian Way Preacher - tinyurl.com/IWPreacherRef
Ignatian Way Spiritual Companion - tinyurl.com/ISCIWRef
Interview
Final candidates will be interviewed by the Ignatian Way Program Manager, Carla Orlando. Carla will contact applicants the week of September 15 about interviews.
Decision
All candidates will be notified of decisions no later than Friday, October 3.
QUESTIONS?
Please contact The Ignatian Way Program Manager, Carla Orlando, at carla@ignatiancenter.org with any questions.