Loyola Hall: Jesuit Spirituality Centre

This past weekend saw the first of our ongoing series of study weekends with Philip Endean, SJ. A group of 20 active Ignatian practitioners (including many of the Loyola Hall team) gathered to work on the subject of how sin and forgiveness are handled in the text and giving of the Spiritual Exercises.

Philip’s lively and provocative style ensured discussion was engaged and energetic. He approached the topic in three sessions dealing with good and bad aspects of guilt and conscience, the varieties of ways we describe and recognise stories of conversion, and the shape an Ignatian theology of sin might take.

Each session began with a brief orientation from Philip to set up and guide individual reading, space to read and reflect on the (very varied!) texts, discussion of the material in small groups, followed by a plenary where Philip answered some questions and posed more.

Philip presented theology (and historical studies) as a tool to widen horizons rather than narrow them. The response was enthusiastic — even from some participants who were initially a little daunted at the thought of having to think hard for the weekend. A final session looked at some of the ways the weekend might shape our practice as spiritual directors and retreat givers — and surfaced a long list of possible subjects for future study weekends.

The next weekend in the series is 24 – 26, September, 2010. Each weekend is free-standing so if you are involved in Ignatian spirituality and would like to reflect more deeply on its underpinnings do consider coming along.