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This online course, rooted in the Ignatian spiritual tradition, is designed for those in parish or other formation settings who wish to develop experience and grow confidence in:
• teaching and leading others in reflective prayer
• encouraging heart-based sharing and conversation on prayer experiences
• holding groups safely and in a discerning way
The heart of Christian life is lived encounter with the person of Jesus. The essential focus of this course is learning how to teach and encourage others to experience forms of reflective prayer which can help to deepen our encounter and engagement with Jesus through the Word (and then live out of that deepened relationship in daily life). The course particularly suits the needs of parish catechists, pastors and youth or house group leaders but can also support those involved in ministries such as chaplaincy or teaching. Please note, however, that a prerequisite for participating in this course is that you are actively engaged with a group to whom you would like to offer experience/s of reflective prayer.
The main course sessions include:
• an introduction to a variety of practices for stilling and preparing for prayer.
• input on leading a particular way of praying drawing on a Gospel scripture (including Lectio Divina/Imaginative Contemplation/Praying with Images/Examen)
• teaching on heart-based listening and conversation
• guidance on holding a group safely and in a discerning way
Alongside learning how to guide others, prior to the main sessions, you will be offered a guided experience of each of the forms of prayer. The guided prayer will be recorded so that you can listen and pray at a time that suits you and as many times as is helpful. This will ensure you have personal experience of each type of prayer before focusing in the course sessions on how to offer it on to others. To gather and deepen your personal experience of the prayer, at the start of each of the main course sessions, there will be some space for sharing and spiritual conversation with the other course participants.
The penultimate session of the course will focus on helping you, alongside your course participants, to prepare a one-hour session of guided reflective gospel-based prayer for a group you are currently engaged with. Prior to the final course session, you will offer your prepared prayer session in your own context. In the final session of the course, you will be given time to review and share your experience of offering the prayer and holding space for your group.
Previous course participants found the course helped them into a more intimate way to pray to the Lord and provided them with a solid framework and guidance to help others they minister to deepen their relationship with Jesus through reflective prayer.
Lead Facilitator: Vron Smith. Vron Smith shares Ignatian spirituality through the offering of retreats and training and the facilitation of communal discernment to parishes, dioceses and prisons.
Requested Donation:
The requested donation for this event is £175. This is what the Jesuit Institute needs to cover our costs and to support our work of making Ignatian spirituality available to as many people as possible. However, if you are unable to donate this amount for any reason, please offer what you can (or even nothing at all!). All are most welcome to attend. To donate, go to https://www.jesuitinstitute.org/give and choose ‘Encountering Jesus in the Gospels’ in the designation field.
