Formation
Spiritual Formation deepens experience and understanding of a person’s relationship with God. ISI's spiritual companioning formation program is for mature adults invited by the Lord into our ministry. Beyond the spiritual formation program, ISI regularly presents workshops and practicums for persons in the ministry of Ignatian spiritual direction and guiding others in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.
Companions in the Way: formation for guiding the Spiritual Exercises
Program description:
This ten month formation program prepares spiritual directors to guide others through the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius with care, humility, and depth. The program attends closely to the structure, movements, and intentions of the Exercises while forming directors in the interior dispositions necessary for faithful accompaniment. In keeping with ISI’s commitment to freedom for mission, participants are invited into ongoing personal and spiritual formation throughout the program.
The Art of Companioning: Ignatian Insights for Spiritual Directors
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.
Workshop: Giving Witness
This practicum is designed to form lay persons, Jesuits, priests, religious sisters and brothers, involved in or moving into the ministries of parish missions, days of reflection, or preached retreats rooted in the Ignatian spiritual tradition. The practicum will be held Monday, June 8 - Friday, June 12, 2026. Early bird registration deadline February 27, 2026.
Spiritual Companioning Formation Program
Spiritual Companioning Formation Program – Update
The Ignatian Spirituality Institute’s Spiritual Companioning Formation Program is currently on hiatus as we enter a season of thoughtful evaluation and renewal. This pause creates space for us to listen deeply, reflect on our experience, and shape a program that responds with clarity and care to the needs of our time.
We anticipate reopening applications for a newly designed program in January or February 2027, with the next cohort beginning in August 2027. We will continue to share updates here on our website as the renewal unfolds.