Ignatian Silent Retreat

ABOUT

Influenced by his Catholic faith, St. Ignatius experienced God as one who formed this world from love and fashioned us for love. Ignatius believed that our lived experiences and all of creation invite us to recognize God’s generative love at work and allow that love to deepen in us so that we can share that love with the world. 

Drawing from his lived experience and the life of Jesus, Ignatius developed the Spiritual Exercises, a thematic series of prayers and reflections, to support people on their journeys of faith and purpose. The Ignatian Silent Retreat at SU is based on the Spiritual Exercises.

Through silence and meaningful reflection, retreatants are invited to discover the generative love in their lives, listen deeply to the core of who they are, and respond to the holy call to act with compassion, courage, and hope in this world.

Over four days and three nights, this retreat includes:

• A waterside environment of silence, prayer, contemplation, and rest
• Thematic presentations based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius
• Daily personal conversations with a spiritual companion (one of the retreat directors)
• Daily communal prayer experiences and Mass
• Led by professional ministers from Campus Ministry and campus partners, skilled in accompanying all traditions and identities

The retreat takes place at the Palisades Retreat Center, a beautiful setting overlooking the Puget Sound. Students will have their own private room and bathroom, as well as access to the scenic natural surroundings, a labyrinth, a library, and other contemplative spaces and resources in and around the retreat center. During the retreat, students are exposed to diverse forms of prayer, practical discernment techniques, and other elements of Ignatian Spirituality to support their spiritual life.