First Spiritual Exercises

3 November 2021

A deepening of my spiritual life beyond measure

From the First Spiritual Exercises (FSE) training team, Anita Davine, reflects on the FSE ministry and her joy filled experience training a new group of FSE Givers. As I ponder the fruits and graces of the FSE […]
5 October 2021

The First Spiritual Exercises Ministry seeds scatter far and wide

The First Spiritual Exercises ministry began in Australia over 17 years ago when it was suggested to Michael Hansen SJ that he research and write about the exercises first offered by Ignatius and his companions. […]
5 October 2021

News from the First Spiritual Exercises Ministry

This month we begin a regular segment bringing you news of JISA’s First Spiritual Exercises Ministry (FSE) which is interwoven through many of our offerings. As demand for the First Spiritual Exercises is growing, the […]
29 June 2021

Delight and Meaning in Mary – A First Spiritual Exercise

A First Spiritual Exercise with Frances Tilly, JISA Formation Mission Formation Coordinator. Using the Second Method of Prayer which Ignatius encourages in the Spiritual Exercises [249-257], we slowly consider the Hail Mary as we deepen our relationship with Mary, the mother of […]
1 June 2021

Gift of the First Spiritual Exercises for Jesuit Mission

“The Jesuit approach to service and outreach to the marginalised, the concept of living our faith in action kept me connected to the church,” exclaims Helen Forde, CEO of Jesuit Mission “it’s living out the […]
31 March 2021

Getting out of the way of the Holy Spirit

Terry Fanning, Spiritual Director, Retreat Facilitator and Supervisor with JISA Campion reflects on some experiences of giving the Spiritual Exercises. “My experience of being in the ministry of the Spiritual Exercises has been like a […]
31 March 2021

The Spirit is subtle and gentle – if you look, you will see it amongst the chaos

This is the first in a series of reflections from Annmaree Sutton, a giver of the First Spiritual Exercises with JISA Campion in Melbourne. She shares some of her most transforming moments in her ministry […]
17 November 2020

Making life-giving choices: Claire’s experience of the Full Spiritual Exercises

When Claire Thomas first considered the Spiritual Exercises, she was working in a large school in Sydney and kept hearing an invitation to be part of the continuing legacy of Ignatian Spiritualty. “I was curious. […]
17 November 2020

Nourishing regional and rural communities: Toowoomba, QLD

When Sr Elaine Morzone opened the Sychar Spirituality Centre in Toowoomba Queensland late last year, she hoped to start some long-term faith sharing groups in the community. “I wanted to offer something that could sustain our […]
6 October 2020

Think you know Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises? Think again

It took a time of convalescing from a chronic illness, not unlike the experience of St Ignatius of Loyola, for Jesuit priest, author and retreat giver,  Fr. Michael Hansen, S.J., to rediscover the  First Spiritual Exercises.  These Exercises […]
5 October 2020

How and where did First Spiritual Exercises begin?

The advent of the First Spiritual Exercises reaches back in time to 1540 when Ignatius is quoted as saying, “As a rule I would give the Exercises of the First Week”     Murray Adams, spiritual director and […]
5 October 2020

Sowing good seeds

An intimate experience of God filled Ignatius with passionate desire to share a simple prayer method to encounter God!   His desire became the seeds of the First Spiritual Exercises and through spiritual conversations and prayer, these seeds were scattered far and wide by the early Companions. […]
4 October 2020

The ripple effect of the First Spiritual Exercises

“I see the thread of friendship in the rippling out of this ministry internationally, friends tell friends; easy very grounded human conversations!” Frances Tilly, spiritual director, giver of the Spiritual Exercises and coordinator of Mission […]
30 September 2020

Giving a First Spiritual Exercise to school students

A First Spiritual Exercise shared at the year 11 retreat of Xavier Catholic College Ballina, at Tambourine Mountain in 2019, led the Faber Centre and The Cardoner Project.  Watch as Australian Jesuit communities come together to explore the themes […]
29 September 2020

Take Courage – A Field Hospital Spiritual Exercise

Join Frances Tilly as she guides you through a Field Hospital Spiritual Exercise.  This exercise will invite you to Take Courage. (10 mins) Jesuit and Ignatian Spirituality Australia · FSE Field Hospital Exercise – Take Courage
29 September 2020

First Spiritual Exercises via Zoom

In June 2020 , Covid-19 necessitated the Christian Life Community’s scheduled First Spiritual Exercise retreat be moved online and held via Zoom.  The unexpected move to the online world did not at all hinder the experience and proved positive […]