Spiritual Exercises

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Location: Mission San Antonio, 1 Mission Creek Road, Jolon, CA 93928

SPIRITUAL EXERCISES in EnglishTHURSDAY – SUNDAYREGISTRATION CUT OFF
Spiritual Exercises for WOMEN, ENGLISH-onlyMarch 7-10, 2024Friday, Feb. 9, 2024
Spiritual Exercises for MEN, ENGLISH-onlyJune 20-23, 2024Friday, May 17, 2024
Spiritual Exercises for WOMEN, ENGLISH-onlyAugust 22-25, 2024Friday, July 19, 2024
Spiritual Exercises for MEN, SPANISH-onlyFebruary 20-23, 2025Friday, January 24, 2025
SPIRITUAL EXERCISES in SpanishTHURSDAY – SUNDAYREGISTRATION CUT OFF
Spiritual Exercises for WOMEN, SPANISH-onlyJanuary 11-14, 2024Friday, Dec. 8, 2023
Spiritual Exercises for MEN, SPANISH-onlyFebruary 8-11, 2024Friday, Jan. 12, 2024
Spiritual Exercises for MEN, SPANISH-onlyOctober 24-27, 2024Friday, Sept. 27, 2024
Spiritual Exercises for WOMEN, SPANISH-onlyJanuary 9-12, 2025Friday, Dec. 6, 2024

This silent retreat is a condensed version of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, preached in English and Spanish separately by an IVE priest. The weekend will include: meditations, talks, daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, as well as an opportunity for Confession and spiritual advice. Spiritual Exercises will conclude on Sunday after 12pm Mass.

Retreat Cost: The cost of the retreat is $200, cash or check only (all checks should be made payable to “Our Lady of Peace Church”). Please submit your completed registration forms and payment to Our Lady of Peace parish office by the dates below:

ONLY 30 TOTAL SPOTS AVAILABLE FOR EACH SPIRITUAL EXERCISES! Priority will be given to those who sign up and submit payments.

Transportation will not be offered, so please make your own arrangements. If you need information, please email Kathleen Lara at kathleen.lara@dsj.org or call the parish office at (408) 988-4585.


St. Ignatius of Loyola, a Spanish Catholic priest and theologian, developed the Spiritual Exercises to help people deepen their relationship with God.

Why should I consider a retreat for spiritual exercises?

It is possible to attend Mass, pray, and receive the sacraments and at the end of our life not know God. True devotion requires the ability to meditate on God’s will, and the willingness to respond to it. This calls for conversion and the resolve to improve one’s fulfillment of God’s will. Without this, one presumes and counts not on His Divine Mercy, but on His tolerance.

Fr. John Hardon, S.J., wrote that the spiritual exercises are very effective in finding God’s will for those who do them, and avoiding two common mistakes. First, the common approach of waiting for God’s grace leads to quiet waiting, but we do not follow His will because we take no action. Others act only in divine inspiration from God, and decline external guidance even from legitimate Church sources. The spiritual exercises help us to discern what is from God, and what is not.

There is no one simple answer for why people decide to do the Spiritual Exercises, but these are typical experiences and outcomes:

  • Intimately meeting Jesus Christ and learning to live in His presence;
  • Learning to make decisions through faith, hope, and out of love for God, in an orderly way;
  • Experience God’s quiet, insistent, and loving call;
  • Discerning the specific tasks God desires of us.

What are the spiritual exercises like?

They are a very personal experience. But it is very important to have an experienced spiritual director, to lead us in doing them correctly, otherwise it is easy to undermine our own efforts. For example, not everyone should fast during the exercises, for it may not allow you to focus on prayer, meditation, and devotion.

During the retreat, the director will assign meditations, to be done in silent and prayerful devotion. During prayer, mass, and holy hours, you will be able to experience God in your life.

Who can do the spiritual exercises?

The exercises are offered to separate groups of men or women. Young people can do the spiritual exercises, if the director believes they are sufficiently mature. There is no specific age limit.

Who will conduct the retreat?

A priest from the Incarnate Word will conduct the exercises. The spiritual exercises following the format of St. Ignatius require an experienced director; the Incarnate Word priests use this method in their daily spiritual lives.

Can I register onsite?

There is no onsite registration for the retreats; all retreat participants must turn in the written registration form before the retreat.

Contact Information

For additional information, you may contact: Kathleen Lara at kathleen.lara@dsj.org or call the parish office at (408)988-4585.