The 19th Annotation

What is the 19th Annotation?

The 19th Annotation is a form of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola that allows people to experience this profound spiritual journey while continuing their everyday lives. Unlike the traditional 30-day silent retreat format, the 19th Annotation (named for the paragraph in Ignatius' text that describes this adaptation) spreads the Exercises over approximately 9 months.

This retreat in everyday life involves a deep commitment to daily prayer and reflection, regular meetings with a spiritual director, and a willingness to let God work in your life in new and sometimes challenging ways. It's a journey of spiritual transformation that has been guiding people toward deeper freedom and intimacy with God for nearly 500 years.

Structure of the Journey

The Spiritual Exercises unfold in four "Weeks" or movements (though each "Week" typically lasts longer than seven days):

• First Week: Focuses on God's love and mercy, and our response to that love. Includes prayer around the reality of sin and God's unfailing forgiveness.
• Second Week: Centers on the life of Jesus, from the Incarnation through his public ministry. Includes a pivotal meditation on making choices from a place of spiritual freedom.
• Third Week: Accompanies Jesus through his passion and death, deepening our commitment to follow him even in suffering.
• Fourth Week: Celebrates the joy of the Resurrection and contemplates God's ongoing presence and action in our world.

What to Expect

When you commit to the 19th Annotation retreat, you can expect:

• Daily Prayer: A commitment to 60-75 minutes of prayer each day using specific Scripture passages and meditations
• Regular Direction: weekly meetings with me as your spiritual director to process your prayer experience and receive guidance for the next steps
• Journaling: Keeping a prayer journal to record your experiences and insights
• Spiritual Practices: Learning and applying Ignatian prayer methods like imaginative contemplation, the Examen, and discernment
• Transformation: A gradual but profound shift in how you see God, yourself, and your purpose in the world

The retreat begins with preparatory exercises and then moves through the four "Weeks" at a pace that honors your unique spiritual journey and life circumstances. While the structure provides a framework, the experience is highly personalized.

Who Would Benefit

The 19th Annotation retreat is especially suited for those who:

• Desire a deeper, more personal relationship with God
• Are at a significant crossroads or time of discernment in their life
• Have established a regular prayer practice and want to go deeper
• Can commit to daily prayer and regular spiritual direction for 9 months
• Are open to being surprised by God and willing to be changed by the experience

Upcoming Cohorts