The Art of Companioning
At the heart of spiritual direction lies the sacred art of companioning—walking with another as God labors within their story. Drawing from the Ignatian tradition, this workshop offers spiritual directors an opportunity to reflect more deeply on the interior dispositions, practices, and graces that shape faithful accompaniment.
Through prayer, reflection, and guided conversation, participants will explore themes such as presence and reverence, listening beneath words, discerning the movements of consolation and desolation, and trusting the freedom of the Holy Spirit. Attention will be given not only to what we do as spiritual directors, but who we are becoming in the act of companioning.
When and Where:
9:00 am to 5:00 pm Friday, May 29, 2026 and
9:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday, May 30, 2026
George W. Truett Theological Seminary
Baylor University
1100 South 3rd Street
Waco, TX 76706
How We Proceed
This two day workshop unfolds in the spirit of Ignatian companionship. Sessions are led by members of the Ignatian Spirituality Institute whose years of accompanying others have been shaped by careful listening, discernment, and reverence for God’s work in each life.
Each ninety-minute session weaves together thoughtful input, spacious time for personal reflection, intimate small-group conversation, and a brief communal gathering. Our time together is grounded in prayer and shared silence, enriched by presentations that lean into the questions we share, and sustained by unhurried conversation with fellow companions along the way.
Who Will Benefit
This workshop is designed for both experienced and emerging spiritual directors-lay, religious, clergy -who desire to renew their practice, deepen their confidence, and cultivate a more contemplative, discerning stance in accompaniment. Our work together will strengthen understanding of Ignatian spiritual direction and help refine the interior dispositions and practices that support faithful, attentive accompaniment. This workshop is especially suited for those who desire to listen more keenly for the movements of the Spirit and to companion others with greater freedom, humility, and trust.
Cost:
$250 - includes all materials, light pastries in the morning, and lunch each day, along with coffee and available drinks.
Lodging Accomodations:
Participants who need overnight accommodations may want to consider one of the following which are near the workshop venue.
Courtyard by Marriott Waco
101 Washington Avenue, Waco, Texas, 76701
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Waco
115 South Jack Kultgen Expressway, Waco, Texas, 76706
AC Hotel Waco Downtown
600 Mary Ave, Waco, Texas, USA, 76701
Hilton Waco
113 South University Parks Drive, Waco, Texas, 76701-2241
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
101 Taylor Street Waco, Texas 76704
Presenter(s):
Carol Atwell Ackels
Carol is Director of the Ignatian Spirituality Institute. A spiritual director in the Ignatian tradition she serves as retreat director of the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius in various formats. She offers weekend retreats, the Exercises in Everyday Life, and one-to-one directed retreats at Jesuit retreat houses across the United States. Carol regularly gives programs and days of reflection to parish and Church groups. She launched and continues to give workshops to shape persons, Jesuits and lay, who are moving into retreat ministry and spiritual companioning in the Ignatian tradition. Appointed by the Provincial, Carol served six years on the bi-province Commission on Ministry--the group that discerns long-range planning for apostolic work of the Jesuits and their colleagues. Carol co-authored with Joe Tetlow, S.J. the twelve week Ignatian retreat Finding Christ in the World, and worked with Anthony Borrow, S.J. developing the Toward Greater Freedom retreat for parents at Jesuit College Prep of Dallas. Carol holds a J.D. from SMU Dedman School of Law, Dallas and a Master of Art in Theology and Leadership from Gonzaga University, Spokane. She and her husband reside in Dallas and are the parents of five adult children.
Cyndy Mathews
Spiritual Exercises Retreat Coordinator and ISI Formation Team
Cyndy has worked with ISI since its inception in 2013. Prior to that, she served for many years in parish ministry and leadership, including spiritual companioning. Cyndy completed the spiritual director formation program at Our Lady of Divine Providence School of Spirituality in Clearwater, FL. She meets with individuals in ongoing spiritual direction and serves as a guide for the 19 th Annotation of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. Cyndy has experience in facilitating faith-sharing groups as well as ISI courses on prayer and Ignatian spirituality. She regularly attends retreats and workshops and participated in the Foundations program led by Fr. Joe Tetlow, SJ. Cyndy also serves as a spiritual director for one-to-one directed retreats at Montserrat Jesuit Retreat House, and has offered days of reflection there as well. She and her husband, Jack, are parents of wonderful adult sons, an amazing daughter-in-law, and take great delight in having entered the joyous season of grandparenting.