Monday, May 31, 2022

Spiritual Practices

The Rev. Anne Williamson

One of the most life-giving spiritual practices I have ever undertaken is the Ignatian ‘Retreat in Daily Life’ otherwise know in the world of Ignatian Spirituality as the 19th Annotation. St. Ignatius of Loyola was the founder of the Jesuit order and developed a 30 day retreat of silence and prayer which is now known as The Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. Even in the 16th century, St. Ignatius realized that not everyone could go on a 30 day silent retreat (!) and in the notes, or annotations, giving guidance to retreat leaders, his 19th annotation provided for a retreat in daily life. This is a wonderful opportunity to draw closer to God and listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit in one’s life, accompanied all the way by a prayer guide.

I took the retreat in daily life in 2015/2016 with a most wonderful group of people based in Kennebunk, ME. Since the beginning of Covidtide, the retreat is online, and will remain so. There is an information evening on Wednesday, June 1 from 7-9pm. Please contact me: anne@stjohnsnh.org or the retreat organizers for the zoom link to learn more:

MAUREEN FULFORD (207-468-4070; fulf5@roadrunner.com )

ELLIE FLAVIN (207-251-5981; ellieflavin@roadrunner.com)

I leave you with the Suspice – a prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola, 1491-1556

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding,
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.

You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.

Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me.

Blessings,

Anne