The Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life 19th Annotation

Ignatius of Loyola wrote the Spiritual Exercises in the 1500’s and still today they are current and offer a way to grow stronger in faith and in relationship with God. The spiritual exercises were written to be given on a 30 day silent directed retreat.  But, because most lay people cannot get away for this length of time, Ignatius added the 19th Annotation which allows the Exercises to be given in daily life over a 9 month period. The Spiritual Exercises (19th Annotation) use scripture in daily prayer to draw a person deeper into relationship with Jesus and to journey with Him through His life.

Entering into the Spiritual Exercises in Daily Life has a time commitment daily of:

  • 1 hr a day in prayer (in meditation and in contemplation, entering the gospel scene)

  • 15 minutes journaling

  • 15 minutes Examen

  • 1 1/2 hour weekly session to go over the past week's prayer with a spiritual director trained in offering the exercises.

The retreat in daily life begins with a dinner in August and ends with a dinner in May.

It is possible that not everyone who applies will be accepted.  There is limited space because of the time commitment for the directors.

Application Process

General Information: Because the author of the Spiritual Exercises, Ignatius of Loyola, had people pray with verses on the love of God for 2-3 years, we are also asking that those interested in applying for the 19th Annotation with Dovehouse be engaged in regular prayer, comfortable using Scripture as part of their prayer with much practice in Ignatian contemplation (entering the gospel scene).  We ask that those applying will have prayed with First We Were Loved daily for 20-30 minutes for at least a year and preferably two years.

  • Applicant should be in regular monthly spiritual direction with a Spiritual Director familiar with using Scripture as part of prayer 

  • Applicants should have experience making some form of Ignatian retreat (e.g. weekend, three night or longer).  

  • Applicants should be comfortable in talking about their experiences in prayer with a Director.

  • The 19th Annotation, Spiritual Exercises require a commitment of approximately an hour a day in prayer, with up to 15 minutes of journaling and 15 minutes of the Examen, as well as a weekly meeting with a Spiritual Director August - May.

Application Process:

Applications are open early spring each year. Once application is received and reviewed, the Applicant will be contacted to schedule and intrview. Applicants are informed of the decision on their application as soon after the interview as possible, and a start date will be confirmed.

Cost: The cost for the retreat is $400 a month for most Dovehouse Spiritual Directors. Cost covers materials and weekly individual spiritual direction (approx 1 & 1/2 hrs . Once an individual has completed the application process, and if accepted for the retreat, a $400 non-refundable deposit is required to register and applies to your first month payment in August.

If you have any questions,  contact Andrea Manor.