Do you want to:

  • Encounter God in a fresh, tangible way?

  • Experience a memorable Lenten journey of prayer?

  • Jumpstart, develop, or deepen a way of praying that fits your rhythm of life?

God desires to give each of us inner peace, an experience of being loved that leads to greater freedom. This gift is offered through an experience of divine mercy and healing through our human darkness.

Adults and young adults  (18+) are invited to receive this inner peace in darkness and light. Join us to experience St. Ignatius of Loyola’s First Spiritual Exercises that has helped countless people grow closer to God since 1522.  All you need is an openness to receive inner peace, a willingness to practice personal prayer (five times for 30’) during the week, a receptivity to share and support others weekly along the way.  The experience is guided by Fr. Tri M. Dinh SJ, the Christus Ministries Team, and other Ignatian partners.  

Click here to view what past participants have said about this prayer series.

How:

  1. Five online gatherings using the Zoom conferencing app with a guided prayer, spiritual conversation, and contemplative listening in a small group with the same five people.

  2. Participants pray 5 times for approximately 30 minutes during the week on their own using the book, The First Spiritual Exercises: Four Guided Retreats by Michael Hansen, SJ.

When:

  1. Thursday, February 11 @ 6-8 pm PDT (Orientation)
    * If you are unsure or curious about this retreat & not ready to commit, please attend the Come & See and contact Jaclyn. If after the Come & See you decide to not participate, a full refund of your registration fee will be provided.

  2. Thursday, February 25 @ 6-8 pm PDT (Retreat Week 1)

  3. Thursday, March 4 @ 6-8 pm PDT (Retreat Week 2)

  4. Thursday, March 11 @ 6-8 pm PDT (Retreat Week 3)

  5. Thursday, March 18 @ 6-8 pm PDT (Retreat Week 4)

  6. Thursday, March 25 @ 6-8 pm PDT (Retreat Closing)

Cost: $25 / per person (not including the required book)*

  1. Zelle: Use contact@christusministries.org as the recipient & put FSE Thurs in memo.

  2. Check: Payable to Christus Ministries mailed to the below address.

    Address: P.O. Box 4525 I Culver City, CA 90231
    Please input FSE Thurs in memo.

  3.  PayPal: $25.75 (3% added PayPal fee)

* Christus Ministries will help anyone who genuinely desires to participate but faces financial hardship. Please contact Jaclyn (jguerrero@christusministries.org) for scholarship information if cost is a concern.

Materials Needed:

Please buy the book, The First Spiritual Exercises: Four Guided Retreats, adapted by Michael Hansen SJ.  It is necessary to have this by Retreat Week 1.
* Please consider using AmazonSmile and give back by adding Christus Ministries as your charitable organization.

Registration: Registration is currently full. If you are interested in being placed on a waitlist, please register using the button below. IF a spot becomes available, a team member will contact you.

Requirements:

  1. Commit to ALL retreat week gatherings (2/11, 2/25, 3/4, 3/11, 3/18, 3/25).

  2. Pray and journal for 30 minutes (5 times) per week on the First Spiritual Exercises Retreat - Inner Peace in Darkness & Light. Please have a journal available for this retreat.

  3. Create a free Zoom account and download the Zoom app using the SAME registered name & email address.*

* For security purposes, participants’ Zoom account (full name & email address) MUST match their registration information (full name & email address) for meeting room admittance.

Prayer Space:

  1. Set up a quiet prayer space (journal, pen, candle, & prayer item).

  2. Inform those staying with you of the times you will gather online.

  3. Disengage, as best as you can, from phones, food, or anything else that distracts you from being present. *

  4. During each gathering, please MUTE yourself unless it is your turn to share. *

    * For those with young families who may be concerned about meeting these requirements, we welcome you & understand your circumstances. 

Questions: Please contact Teresa (tnygard@christusministries.org) for questions or concerns.

For help with Zoom, click HERE for more details or technical assistance will be available prior to each gathering.

Permission: For PR purposes, Christus Ministries may record virtual events. Your participation using Zoom gives voluntary permission to appear on camera & be recorded. By participating in this event, you understand that anyone within view of your screen may appear on camera & hereby consent to the use of your image & voice, either in whole or part, to be used by Christus Ministries for multimedia, PR & broadcast purposes. Recordings will occur during presentations & not during small group sharing. Please address any questions to contact@christusministries.org.