Ignatian Retreats

To register for a retreat, please see the program schedule to view upcoming events.

For any questions or concerns, contact us at info@straphaelacenter.org or 610-642-5715.

St. Raphaela Center offers various forms of Spiritual Exercises in order to meet the needs and situations of a wide range of people.

What makes a retreat Ignatian?

An Ignatian retreat is an individually directed retreat in which one meets daily with a director trained in Ignatian spirituality who guides and forms the retreatant in the type of prayer and dynamics that are the basis of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola.

The retreat is done in an atmosphere of solitude and silence. Outside of the meeting with the director the rest of each day is spent in communion with God through formal prayer (spiritual exercises), journaling, reading, and quiet reflection.

In the meetings with the director the retreatant reflects on their daily experience of God in prayer and discerns with the director where and how God’s Spirit is moving in their heart. In this way the retreatant grows in familiarity with how God works within each person and guides them into an ever-deeper relationship through service and love. 

Guided Individual Retreats

During this retreat, you will meet one on one once a day with a trained spiritual director who will accompany you, help you to discern the movements of God in your prayer, and offer you particular suggestions for prayer for the following day.

Length: Eight Days and a Weekend

Conference Style Retreats

Throughout the themed retreat, retreatants will gather together once or twice a day to receive “points” for prayer, that is, a short presentation meant to inspire their personal hours of prayer.  While following the dynamic of the Spiritual Exercises, the presentations are guided by a particular theme set by the director, and can be noted in the description of each particular retreat.  

This retreat may also include some instruction about how to pray in the Ignatian style.  As a retreatant, you will still meet one on one once a day with spiritual director who will accompany you in your prayer experience. 

Length: Eights Days or a Weekend

30 Day Spiritual Exercise Retreat

St. Ignatius’ prepared the Spiritual Exercises as a 30-day intensive retreat.  The Exercises can be helpful for someone making a decision – whether it is a vocational choice, a decision regarding one’s current way of life, or pertaining to a period of transition.  It is also an excellent experience for anyone in a time of renewal or sabbatical, or for anyone who desires to deepen their relationship with God.

The retreat experience begins with two days of preparation and concludes with a day of reflection. During the retreat itself, the retreatant prays four or five times a day, sees a spiritual director once a day, and participates in daily Eucharist. An atmosphere of prayerful silence pervades the property and the hearts of the retreatants.

Normally, retreatants will have made at least one silent, directed retreat (8-Days or 19th annotation) before embarking on the 30-Day; it is also expected that they will have already engaged in ongoing spiritual direction.

In addition to filling out an application form, those wishing to apply will be asked to supply a statement from their spiritual director detailing both the duration of spiritual direction and their readiness for the retreat; two letters of recommendation from those active in the faith who know the retreatant well, and a headshot to be used in the retreat welcome package.

Please note that no action can be taken on any application until these materials are received, along with a $500 deposit required to reserve a space. Once an application is approved, the remaining $2,400 balance will be upon arrival.

Fee:  $2900 ($500 deposit due with complete application)

Applications available for the Summer 2024 retreat

Spiritual Exercises in the Daily Life – The 19th Annotation

This retreat follows the entire 30-day Spiritual Exercises retreat, but is adapted to be made during “daily life”, that is, without taking a month off of work or studies or family.  Retreatants meet once a week with their spiritual director to review their prayer and to receive material for the following week of prayer. 

It is expected that the retreatant would set aside 1 hour of prayer a day, plus 15 minutes for the examen at the end of the day.  While it is usually better to begin this retreat in the early fall so that the retreat follows the flow of the liturgical year, a 19th annotation retreat may be begun at any time during the year.  This can be determined with your spiritual director.   

A sliding payment scale is available.

Contact Sr. Michelle Cimaroli, aci by email (director@straphaelacenter.org) or Phone (610-642-5715) for more information if you are interested in the 19th Annotation.