This year I had the privelege of accompanying several people in making The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola in the Everyday Life Format, also called the Nineteenth Annotation Retreat. I accompanied deacon candidates and their wives in group spiritual direction as part of the LA Deacon Formation Program. I also accompanied members of Blessed Sacrament Church in group spiritual direction. And lastly, I accompanied one person who made the retreat in individual spiritual direction.

I asked some of these retreatants to share a little about their experience of making The Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life. I invite you to read their reflections below.

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When I learned that our first year introduction to the LA Deacon Formation Program would include making The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, I was very intrigued.

Now that the Spiritual Exercises have concluded, I have been brought into an intimacy with our Lord that is continuing to captivate my being. It has left me with a yearning to continue experiencing His love and that has awakened my senses to a greater spiritual life.

Michael Morgan, 53, Restaurant Operator, West Hollywood

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The Spiritual Exerices of St. Ignatius of Loyola left me with a sense of emotional cleansing and a closer relationship with Jesus.

I gained a new appreciation for the Bible. I gained greater self-awareness through the experience of the heroism of St. Joseph, the hidden life of Jesus, and the ministry of Jesus reaching out to people like Zacchaeus, who like, me sometimes is lost in fears and has control issues.

It was not always easy to sit in meditation. I experienced both periods of restlessness and periods of inner peace. Yet, I was encouraged by our spiritual director to sit with the painful issues and restlessness and to bring these to Jesus.

I feel more connected to His Sacred Heart which I believe is an experience of inner peace and transcendence.

Jana Gottfried, 47, Social Worker, Hollywood

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The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola not only helped me to become aware of God’s presence in everything I perceive and do, but also to contemplate God’s presence in all of God’s creation.

They also challenged me to examine myself, and I found myself transforming into a better person in all aspects of my life.

The Spiritual Exercises were and will continue to be a blessing in my life as I continue to discern my vocation in the LA Deacon Formation Program.

Jorge Ramos, 32, Elementary School Teacher, Long Beach

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I became Catholic at 27 years of age. I prayed everyday, usually praying the Liturgy of the Hours. But as I reflect back on this, I realize that I did not feel a deep connection with Jesus Christ.

As part of the LA Deacon Formation Program, I was asked to make The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola along with my husband, the other deacon candidates and their wives. At first, I was not sure what this would involve but I honestly was not expecting much change in the way I pray.

But a lot has changed in the way I pray and what happens in my prayer. I am especially aware of the important role that feelings have in prayer.

I believe The Spiritual Exercises are very important for people who desire to follow Jesus. I experienced Jesus’ love for me and for humanity, and I realized how much love I want to give back to Him.

Hanh Nguyen, 47, Accountant, North Long Beach

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It had been a question for a long time: What IS prayer? Throughout the weeks of The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola I learned how palpable God could be through the use of the Holy Scriptures. Not only did prayer materialize the figure of Christ as a more ”real” (and consequently closer) person, but I got to know Him in different ways by sharing His own experiences.

If I can describe this journey in simple words, I would state that this had been a spiritual roller coaster. Each week and each exercise has helped my relationship with God grow: the deeper I went, the higher the level of closeness to God (and so, the more intense and personal the experience would be).

While the infinite love of God will always remain a mystery, His personal love toward me revealed itself in unpredictable ways. Whether it did through pain, guilt, joy or tears, it all came effortlessly through prayer, almost as if God (through written language) became the guide that I followed. Each word echoed in my heart, finding its way within me and resting in “corners” I never knew I had.

I am grateful for this experience and the enrichment I gained from it.

Francesco Curá, 31, Actor and Photographer, Hollywood

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For me to have lived The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola was something extraordinary.

I have lived all my life searching for God. I have felt that I was unworthy of God’s love because of things that have happened in my life.

The retreat helped me to talk to God the Father, to Jesus, and to Mary. I asked them for a sign of their love for me and the answer seemed to come very powerfully on Palm Sunday while attending Mass. Both the Gospel of the Passion of the Lord and the reception of Communion brought me tears and a strong sense of the presence of God in my heart and being. That is when I realized how profoundly God loves me and how God has been with me throughout my life.

Now that I have finished the retreat, I know how uniquely I am loved by God. I have a strong desire to continue to pray with the scriptures, to dedicate time regularly to meditation, and to keep attending to my relationship with God.

This has been the best thing that ever happened to me.

Maria Eugenia Alvarado Barajas, 47, House Cleaner, Hollywood

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Living the Nineteenth Annotation of The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola made me realize the love God has for me. God loves me as I am. Jesus is always at my side and has never abandoned me although I have abandoned him at times.

This retreat made me aware of the graces that the Spirit gives me. I learned to ask for the graces that I desire and to trust that the Holy Spirit will grant these desires if that is what God wants for me.

The retreat helped me and taught me how to communicate with God the Father, with Jesus and with our Blessed Mother, the Virgin Mary.

In making the Spiritual Exercises, I learned to recognize and to express my feelings in prayer and with others in my spiritual direction group. I was amazed how alive the scriptures became at Mass as I listened to them and how they touched my heart.

I feel that the retreat has made me a better Catholic and stronger in my faith and spirit.

Victor Barajas, 37, Sales Representative, Hollywood