Written in the 16th Century the Spiritual
Exercises are based on the life of Christ. The aim is to encourage
people to centre their lives on their faith in God and to make choices
in life which bring consolation and joy. The belief is that God
will deal with each individual differently. These prayer exercises
are intended to allow God the space and time to work in the life of each
person who does the retreat. There are four basic sections to the
retreat; a look at our own purpose in life with emphasis on the
forgiveness of God. Following Jesus Christ in his ministry, his passion
and death and then the joy of the Resurrection. These Spiritual
Exercises have over the centuries made a dramatic and positive
difference to the lives of vast numbers of people throughout the world.
Would you like to Lead a
Group?
You are invited to form a group with friends,
neighbours, parishioners and both share how things have gone in your
prayer this week. We also suggest that a new method of prayer or
material to be pondered is introduced each week of Lent. If you
want to organise a group we will provide you with helpful written
materials each week, so you don't have to be an expert in prayer.
If you have a reasonable knowledge of Ignatian Spirituality, understand
different methods of prayer such as
Lectio Divina, Imaginative
Contemplation and the
Examen, and would like to lead a group
in your area, then
get
in touch with us.
Location: You will need to find a suitable location for the
group to meet once a week.
If this is a public space like a church room, then you will need to
check if there will be any charge made, and if so, to ensure that the
group can cover this. You may well find that your local church would be
happy to sponsor and publicise this Lent of Prayer.
If you use your own home or other private space, you would be advised to
meet any prospective participants who you don’t know in a public space
first.
Publicity: If you would like your group to be open to anyone
interested in the area then we could put anyone who contacts us from
your area in touch with you.
Prayer Materials: Ideally participants should be encouraged to
bring their smartphones to the first meeting so they can find the
retreat online. Those without phones and without computer access could
be given a booklet available free from the ISC, Glasgow.
Facilitation: Each week you will need to facilitate the group to
help them share the fruits of their prayer.
Group Meeting Outlines.
Meetings: Meetings should be once a week beginning before Lent
starts so you can make sure everyone has access to the materials and is
ready to begin on Ash Wednesday. The last meeting should be in Easter
Week. Meetings should probably last about 2 hours. People always feel
more welcome if there is a cup of tea or coffee on offer when they
arrive.
Register
Register individually
Choose to receive a daily e-mail with the prayer material during
Lent. REGISTER
For those living in SCOTLAND: If you would like to
register to join a local group click here (if there is one available in your
area we will pass on your request to the group leader)
Register a group
If you live in Scotland please register with ISC:Glasgow: REGISTER
If you live outside Scotland please register with
Pathways-to-God. REGISTER
Training Meetings
for group leaders will be held in:
Glasgow - 18th at 10.30am and 19th January at 2.30pm
both @ ISC, 35 Scott St.
Edinburgh Monday 20th January, 2pm. Sacred Heart
Lauriston
Birmingham: Manresa
House, 10 Albert Road, Harbourne, Saturday 25 January @ 10.30am
Geneva
