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1. What is Ignatius House?
Ignatius House is primarily a spirituality center for spiritual direction and group retreats - the latter consisting of talks followed by silent reflection, meditation and prayer. Individual privately directed retreats are also given once a year during the summer. These retreats are open to men and women of all faiths who are sincerely seeking to “retreat” from the noise of their busy daily world in order to evaluate and improve their relationship with God and to live out God’s presence in their lives.
2. Where is Ignatius House?
It is located on 20 beautiful, heavily wooded acres off of Riverside Drive overlooking the Chattahoochee River. There are pleasant walking trails through the woods and along the banks of the river. A three-tiered deck with comfortable chairs on a high bluff looks down upon the river; gazebos, benches, a waterfall, a tower with a patio and religious icons, and beautiful trees, flowers and shrubbery grace the property.
3. What are the accommodations of Ignatius House?
The building consists of 48 private rooms with individual bath and toilet facilities. Bed lines, towels and soap are provided; retreatants are asked to bring their own toiletries and personal articles. Each room has a bible, further information about the facility along with a brief history of the place. There is a small chapel, a large dining room and a conference hall. Coffee, tea, ice water, colas and snacks are always available. Dress is casual because the atmosphere is one of quiet, peaceful relaxation where you will hear no telephones, television, radios or human voices - unnecessary noises that would distract you during the retreat.
4. Why are solitude and silence a necessary part of a retreat?
If one is to be open to God’s message and hear his “voice” during the retreat, one needs to experience solitude (even though one is part of a large group) along with external silence as well as interior silence (ridding oneself of distractions, fears, anxieties, etc.). Nevertheless, retreatants do have the opportunity to meet with the retreat director or Jesuit priests on the staff for private consultation, discussion or confession. Silence is one of the main factors of the retreat that individuals are most appreciative of, in spite of any anxieties they might have had about their ability to be silent for that length of time.
5. I might not consider myself to be a very spiritual person. Will I be uncomfortable if I feel that others in the group might be further ahead of me in their spiritual growth?
One of the advantages of a silent retreat is that the retreatants are not asked to express themselves openly during the course of the retreat. There is no pressure put on anyone to disclose where one might be in one’s spiritual growth or to compare oneself to others attending the retreat.
6. When does a retreat start and end?
A retreat begins on either a Thursday or a Friday evening with arrival and registration around 5 p.m. followed by a reception at 6:30 and supper at 7 p.m. during which time individuals get to talk and meet each other. The first conference is at 8 p.m. at which time silence begins. The retreat ends on Sunday with Mass at 11:15 a.m. followed by a non-silent lunch, giving one a further opportunity to talk with other retreatants.
7. What does the retreat consist of?
It consists of 7 or 11 talks (depending on which night the retreat begins) that are based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. These conferences usually last around 30 minutes; they focus on one’s relationship with God and God’s image, particularly as seen in the person of Jesus as his life and teachings are briefly reviewed. Retreatants then have the opportunity to reflect on what they have heard while sitting comfortably in their room, outside, or just roaming the grounds and being open to hearing God talk to them. The benefits of these talks are unique for each individual and are often intangible. However, retreatants often report that something dramatic and important had happened to their spiritual lives as a result of the retreat.
8. Does it cost much to attend a retreat?
There is no required fee for a retreat. Ignatius House operates on donations alone; participants give what they can. Nevertheless, they are asked to consider $150 that only partially covers the cost of operating expenses. We ask that those who can give more please do so in order to help cover the total cost of the retreat. The average contribution is about $250. When making your reservation a $50 deposit is requested that is non-refundable but transferable.
9. How do I sign up for a retreat?
Call Ignatius House (404-255-0503). We will answer any questions you might have about the retreat, our facilities, or anything else that you would like to ask. You may also register online. In either case a confirmation card will subsequently be mailed to you. A staff member will later call you prior to your retreat as a reminder and to answer any further questions you might have.
10. Why do people attend retreats more than once - annually, for instance?
Many retreatants find spiritual value in spending time alone with God and find a retreat a good way to do this. Others believe that a retreat helps them to keep in touch with themselves, to think through their personal value systems and attempt to keep those values in perspective and balance. We sincerely hope that you will take advantage of these spiritual vacations with the Lord.
11. What is spiritual direction, mentioned in #1 as part of the ministry of Ignatius House?
Spiritual direction offers one the opportunity to meet with one
of the retreat directors, a Jesuit priest or an equally trained lay
director, on a regular basis, usually once a month, to talk about one's
prayer life and relationship with God and others. Sessions usually last an
hour or as much or as little time as a person desires. The director offers the
person the opportunity to talk about one's spiritual life and to seek advice
for improving and strengthening it. A special form of spiritual direction
is the experience of the "Spiritual Exercises in Daily Life," a way of going
through the full Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola while one
continues one's daily life. The person meets with the director once a week
over a period of 6-7 months during which time the person makes a commitment
to spend at least an hour a day praying a scripture passage recommended by
the director or a special meditation for one's prayerful consideration. As
with a weekend retreat there is no required fee for either form of spiritual
direction; however, those who are capable of doing so are asked to consider
making a contribution for each session with your director. We hope that
you will give serious thought to getting involved in either form of
spiritual direction.
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