The Ministry of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises

Doctor of Ministry: Concentration in the Ministry of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises

The Doctor of Ministry with a Concentration in the Ministry of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake is designed for seasoned spiritual directors who hold a master’s degree in a theological discipline or an equivalent credential and a pre-course offered by Amoris Christi. Offered in collaboration with Amoris Christi, this sequence is designed for those seeking to appropriate, strengthen, and integrate the charisms associated with contemplative spiritual direction within the living tradition of Ignatian prayer and the discernment of spirits. To support the schedules of busy professionals, the program is delivered in a hybrid format, with classes being offered either on-line or via in-person intensives.  This schedule allows students to balance professional responsibilities with advanced academic and ministerial formation.

The concentration in the Ministry of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises builds upon the core curriculum of the standard Doctor of Ministry program. The concentration replaces four courses in the original curriculum with a focused, four-course sequence dedicated specifically to the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. Recognizing the unique formation required of Christian leaders who accompany others spiritually, the four course sequence in the concentration cultivates deep understanding and practical competency in Ignatian contemplative spiritual direction and retreat ministry. Though these courses participants will become equipped to apply the art of the Ignatian Exercises fruitfully in parish settings, Christian formation contexts, and other ministerial environments.

The four courses dedicated to the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises include a blend of online discussions, in-person instruction, and supervised retreat-direction practica:

• Two practicum courses, (DM860: Ignatian Retreat Internship: Foundations & DM862: Ignatian Retreat Internship: Intermediate) are each 12 days long, and are held in July over two consecutive years at Grand Coteau Retreats, Louisiana. During these intensives, each student directs three retreatants while receiving daily supervision.
• An academic course specifically tailored to the exercises (DM861: Spiritual Exericses and the Human Person) is offered as an in-person intensive in the second week of January of the first year at USML.
• The final course (DM 863: Ignatian Retreat Internship: Advanced) provides biweekly supervision on-line while students direct two or three individuals through the Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life (the 19th Annotation) over a 28-week period in their local ministerial setting.

Students interested in applying require:

• A master’s degree in theology or its equivalent;
• A Certificate in Christian Spiritual Direction or in-depth mentoring in Christian Spiritual Direction.

Students from other faith traditions may apply and be admitted but will learn the knowledge and skills in spiritual direction and pastoral ministry that are in harmony with the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Request more information here.