Jesuit Ministry
Adult Formation
Ignatian Formation
The Office of Ignatian Mission and Identity assists in articulating and perpetuating the vision and philosophy of Ignatian Education for principally the adult members of Loyola Blakefield’s community.
The co-laboring of the adult members of Loyola’s community – teachers, staff, trustees, parents, alumni – with the dedicated members of the Society of Jesus here at Blakefield is the key to perpetuating Loyola’s identity as a Jesuit school in the Ignatian tradition. Opportunities for growth in this area will help maintain the atmosphere conducive for ongoing faith-based educational development. The Office of Ignatian Mission and Identity provides opportunities and programs for Loyola adult community members to grow in their understanding of what forms the charism of a school such as Blakefield. This understanding centers on themes that include the life of St. Ignatius, the Spiritual Exercises and Ignatian Spirituality, the History of the Society of Jesus, the History of Jesuit Education and Key Documents, the Characteristics of Jesuit Education and Ignatian Pedagogy, and the History and Traditions of Loyola Blakefield.
These themes capture most of what motivates Loyola Blakefield’s mission to be “...a Catholic, college preparatory school, established by the Jesuits and imbued with the spirit of Ignatius Loyola, forms men to serve with and for others. The Loyola student is preparing to graduate as a man of integrity, who, because he strives “to find God in all things,” is open to growth, intellectually ambitious, religious, loving, and committed to diversity and doing justice.”
The co-laboring of the adult members of Loyola’s community – teachers, staff, trustees, parents, alumni – with the dedicated members of the Society of Jesus here at Blakefield is the key to perpetuating Loyola’s identity as a Jesuit school in the Ignatian tradition. Opportunities for growth in this area will help maintain the atmosphere conducive for ongoing faith-based educational development. The Office of Ignatian Mission and Identity provides opportunities and programs for Loyola adult community members to grow in their understanding of what forms the charism of a school such as Blakefield. This understanding centers on themes that include the life of St. Ignatius, the Spiritual Exercises and Ignatian Spirituality, the History of the Society of Jesus, the History of Jesuit Education and Key Documents, the Characteristics of Jesuit Education and Ignatian Pedagogy, and the History and Traditions of Loyola Blakefield.
These themes capture most of what motivates Loyola Blakefield’s mission to be “...a Catholic, college preparatory school, established by the Jesuits and imbued with the spirit of Ignatius Loyola, forms men to serve with and for others. The Loyola student is preparing to graduate as a man of integrity, who, because he strives “to find God in all things,” is open to growth, intellectually ambitious, religious, loving, and committed to diversity and doing justice.”
Additional Resources
For additional information about Ignatian Spirituality, please consider visiting Ignatian.info, a valuable resource offered by the USA East Province of the Society of Jesus.
List of 1 items.
Lent at Loyola Blakefield
The following are Lenten opportunities offered by the school for all adult members of our community. In order for us to keep an accurate headcount, please register for any or all of these events here.
In-Person Opportunity
Ignatian Evening of Reflection sponsored by the Alumni Association
March 23 at 7:00 PM in the Chapel of Our Lady of Montserrat
Join the Loyola Blakefield Alumni Association on campus for an opportunity for prayer, discussion, and Eucharistic Adoration. This event is open to all adults in the Loyola Blakefield Community.
Ignatian Evening of Reflection sponsored by the Alumni Association
March 23 at 7:00 PM in the Chapel of Our Lady of Montserrat
Join the Loyola Blakefield Alumni Association on campus for an opportunity for prayer, discussion, and Eucharistic Adoration. This event is open to all adults in the Loyola Blakefield Community.
Virtual Opportunity
Gratitude Gathering with Brendan O’Kane, Director of Ignatian Mission and Identity
March 15 from 12:00 – 1:00 PM EST
March 29 from 12:00 – 1:00 PM EST
A virtual option focusing on using the gifts of our Ignatian tradition for cultivating a greater awareness and embrace of gratitude, even in hardship. This event is open to all adults in the Loyola Blakefield Community.
Collaborative Opportunity
A Lenten reflection, Listening & Looking with Love: Steps on a Shared Journey
March 1 at the following times:
Pacific – 10:00 AM or 5:00 PM
Eastern – 1:00 PM or 8:00 PM
Central Europe – 7:00 PM
In collaboration with Loyola High School of Los Angeles, this is a new effort specifically offered to connect parents and guardians of Jesuit school students across the Jesuit network. Join us for an hour of prayer, individual reflection, and small group sharing.
Formational Programs For Parents, Guardians, Alumni, & Trustees
List of 3 items.
-
Daily Mass & Examen
Please visit our Liturgy & Prayer page for information on Mass, faith sharing, and our Daily Examen. -
Meeting Christ in Prayer
Meeting Christ in Prayer—a unique eight-week, guided-prayer experience for small groups—is modeled after the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. This prayer program teaches and reinforces specific prayer practices such as Lectio Divina, imaginative prayer, meditation, the Examen, and more. No prior experience with prayer groups is needed, just a desire to renew one’s faith, enrich one’s prayer life, or become more aware of God’s presence in everyday life.
This program is currently at capacity.
Meeting Dates (2023)
All meeting times are from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Feb. 6
Feb. 13
Feb. 27
March 6
March 13
March 20
March 27
April 3
“I have gained more tools to enrich my prayer life, and it has been a beautiful way to become closer in my relationship with Jesus. My heart and mind have been exercising.” – 2019 Participant -
Ignatian Evenings
Join us for evenings in the chapel that will include opportunities for learning about the mission and identity of our school. There will be opportunities for prayer and conversation. Each evening will feature a guest speaker or panel.
The next meeting will take place Thursday, March 23, at 7:00 p.m. in Our Lady of Montserrat Chapel on campus.
Formational Programs For Faculty & Staff
List of 5 items.
-
The 19th Annotation of the Spiritual Exercises
We are invited to collaborate with the Jesuit community at Loyola University. Spiritual directors, including Fr. Bruce Steggert, are generous enough to lead a group through the 19th Annotation of the Spiritual Exercises. In the linked video, they reference it being prayed over 30 days, whereas the 19th annotation is practiced over the course of the year, focusing on a daily prayer practice.All who are interested in praying the Exercises during the 2021–22 school year should contact Brendan O'Kane. -
Faculty & Staff Prayer Partners
Prayer partners is designed to build our community of faith by linking faculty and staff members together so each person who is interested will have a partner, someone to journey with, in spiritual development. Prayer partners will be invited to check in on one another, attend optional events together, and will be provided with various challenges or guidance as needed. -
Meeting Christ in Prayer
Meeting Christ in Prayer—a unique eight-week, guided-prayer experience for small groups—is modeled after the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. This prayer program teaches and reinforces specific prayer practices such as Lectio Divina, imaginative prayer, meditation, the Examen, and more. No prior experience with prayer groups is needed, just a desire to renew one’s faith, enrich one’s prayer life, or become more aware of God’s presence in everyday life.
This program is currently at capacity.
Meeting Dates (2023)
All meeting times are from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Feb. 6
Feb. 13
Feb. 27
March 6
March 13
March 20
March 27
April 3
“I have gained more tools to enrich my prayer life, and it has been a beautiful way to become closer in my relationship with Jesus. My heart and mind have been exercising.” – 2019 Participant -
Koinonia
Inspired by programming from Loyola University and our Kairos retreat program, Koinonia, of the Greek word, κοινωνία, which means communion, joint participation; the share which one has in anything, participation, a gift jointly contributed, or society.
Koinonia groups will consist of 4–6 faculty/staff members who will meet twice per month to engage in prayer, discussions, and general fellowship. The Office of Ignatian Mission & Identity will provide leadership, topics, and resources (including food and drinks from time to time). Groups can also be led by faculty/staff members who are interested in taking a leadership role. Meeting times will be decided by groups that sign up. Groups can be suggested or created by our Director of Ignatian Mission & Identity. This will take place throughout the year, where occasionally groups might decide to take a month off and then pick back up. Special events for groups to come together will be planned throughout the year so we can build even more community!
To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Brendan O'Kane. -
Come Worship With Us
It's an invitation. If we extend this invite, "Join me, let's pray together," it can change everything! If you would be willing to invite one or a few members of the Loyola community to your worship service, or would be interested in attending someone else's place of worship, please sign up so we can coordinate. The goal is to build community through establishing an even better understanding of one another. All faiths are welcome. Thank you in advance!
