Owen, Diana

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Conversations on Jesuit Higher EducationVolume 47 The Spiritual Exercises as Foundation forJesuit Higher Education Article 17March 2015After the Exercises: Translation and TransformationDiana OwenFollow this and additional works at: http://epublications.marquette.edu/conversationsRecommended CitationOwen, Diana (2015) "After the Exercises: Translation and Transformation," Conversations on Jesuit Higher Education: Vol. 47, Article17.Available at: http://epublications.marquette.edu/conversations/vol47/iss1/1726 ConversationsAgrowing number of faculty, staff, and stu-dents on Jesuit campuses have undertakenthe Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, oftenthrough a retreat in daily life offered overthe course of an academic year. For many,the experience is profound, even life-changing. People who have gone throughthe Exercises develop habits rooted inprayer, meditation, and contemplation of Scripture. Theypractice the Examen, a prayerful review of their day’sthoughts and activities. They discern where the interiormovements of the heart are leading. They are set on apath of awakening, discovery, and renewal. TheExercises provide a mechanism for responding to God’sinvitation to make reasoned decisions, to move fromcontemplation to action, and to serve others. The transformative power of the Exercises is unique-ly manifested for each individual, yet deeply seated inthe importance of community. The Exercises radicallyreshaped my relationship to Georgetown as I becameacutely aware of the Jesuit values that underpinned theinstitution. I was filled with gratitude for being at aschool where “women and men for others” is not a slo-gan but a call to action. I sought to discern how I mightembrace the university’s mission in my teaching, schol-arship, and service. I felt empowered to “come out” as aCatholic on campus and to reinvigorate my faith commit-ment; at the same time I became more attuned to thesplendor of other faith traditions. Still, the translation ofthe lessons of the Exercises into action did not happenquickly for me, and it remains a work in progress.When I was making the Exercises, I initially placedpressure on myself to discern my calling and thenrespond by the end of the retreat. My spiritual directorwisely pointed out that the Exercises offer a structureand foundation for making choices and that there is noexpiration date on the call to serve alongside Christ. KevinO’Brien, S.J., reinforces the notion that we hear and answerthe call on our own terms, in our own time. He states inAn Ignatian Prayer Adventure, “we don’t have to makeany offering or commitment if we’re not ready. For now,we just want to be open enough to hear the call and to getexcited about Christ’s engaging vision for us and theworld.” Similarly, Dean Brackley, S.J., who labored amongAfter the Exercises:Translation andTransformationBy Diana OwenDiana Owen is associate professor of political science inGeorgetown University’s graduate program in commu-nication, culture, and technology. She is co-convenerof Georgetown’s Living the Ignatian Charism Seminar.15304_mag_m  1/2/15  9:35 AM  Page 261Owen: After the Exercises: Translation and TransformationPublished by e-Publications@Marquette, 2015Conversations 27the poor and oppressed in El Salvador, observed inThe Call to Discernment in Troubled Times that recog-nizing and answering the call is something that maytake time and patience. It can come to us in a “stillsmall voice” – a whisper, a nudge, a barely percepti-ble thought. Jesuit institutions offer a variety of opportunitiesfor keeping people’s encounter with the Exercisesalive as they continue their journey and listen for thecall of that “still small voice.” Some schools providespiritual directors who guide people as they delvefurther into the revelations of the Exercises. In fact,after making the Exercises some people are called tobecome spiritual directors themselves. There is anincreasing need for trained spiritual directors on ourcampuses to accompany faculty, staff, and studentsas they embark on the Exercises as well as to guidepeople as they engage their faith and prayer lifemore generally. Programs in spiritual direction thatrange from noncredit seminars to certificate anddegree programs are offered through many of ourJesuit schools. Other resources on our campuses also encour-age a sustained commitment to the Exercises.Speakers who present perspectives on Ignatian spir-ituality and the Jesuit mission can invigorate discern-ment. All of our schools have rich retreat programsthat allow participants to reconnect with theExercises and to have time for peaceful reflectionand renewal. Online retreats also are available, likethe one offered by Creighton University (see follow-ing story). Faculty and staff members can participatein programs and retreats that allow them to relatewhat they have gained through the Exercises to theirwork life, such as the Ignatian Colleagues Program,the AJCU Seminar for Leadership in HigherEducation, the MAGIS program of the JesuitCollaborative, and the Ignatian Leadership forMission Retreat. Some universities offer pilgrimageswhere participants walk in the footsteps of St.Ignatius in Spain and Rome. Schools also sponsordomestic and international immersion experienceswhere participants encounter poverty and injusticefirsthand and can engage in service activities. Travelto places like Kenya, El Salvador, the DominicanRepublic, Appalachia, and the U.S./Mexico bordercan be transformative as people consider their lifechoices in light of the Exercises.The support of a community of people whoshare the gift of the Exercises can be instrumental inhelping individuals maintain their connection toIgnatian spirituality over the long haul. Holding sem-inars where people meet regularly to pray and digmore deeply into the meaning and practice of theExercises is one way to create community. The sem-inar may be focused around a book, videos, or othermaterials that provide a starting point for discussion.In addition to the O’Brien and Brackley works citedabove, God’s Voice Within by Mark E. Thibodeaux,S.J., and Jesus: A Pilgrimage by James Martin, S.J., areexamples of texts that work well in this context. Theprimary purpose of these seminars, though, is not tocover the material but to bring people together forfellowship and conversation. Small, less formalgroups that take place over breakfast or lunch maybe inviting to people who are more comfortable ina relaxed setting. Groups can provide a safe havenfor those who wish to engage in deep faith sharing.A strong sense of trust and camaraderie can build inthese communities that ultimately can translate togreater harmony and cooperation in the workplace. The Exercises provide a foundation for peoplein diverse roles to work on behalf of a common mis-sion and to put into practice the spiritual values thatanimate Jesuit universities. For people who are usedto individual endeavors, which is common amongfaculty and staff, this collaborative work can be chal-lenging. As part of the community doing God’swork, illuminated by the Exercises, we can followour hearts as we listen, learn, and act in concert. ■ResourcesQuality online resources are available to acquaint peoplewith the Spiritual Exercises and to help people continueon their journey after making the Exercises. Creighton University Online retreatshttp://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.htmlThe Spiritual Exercises, Loyola Press http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-spiritual-exercises/The Spiritual Exercises, St. Ignatius Loyola: Renewal andDynamics, Institute of Jesuit Sources (video series)http://www.georgetown.edu/content/1242663501852.htmlIntroduction to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius,Sylvester Tan, S.J., at Loyola University, New Orleans(video lecture)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeysvzF8EJg15304_mag_m  1/2/15  9:35 AM  Page 272Conversations on Jesuit Higher Education, Vol. 47, Iss. 1 [2015], Art. 17http://epublications.marquette.edu/conversations/vol47/iss1/17

After the Exercises: Translation and Transformation

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After the Exercises: Translation and Transformation

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