Spiritual Direction

Guidance for Deep Listening

Spiritual Direction is conversation with a spiritual companion. A Spiritual Director is not a therapist, but a person who listens and may be able to offer observations about your relationship with God, understanding of God, or how the Holy Spirit may be working in your life. St. Ignatius of Loyola understood the role of a spiritual director as one who helps another grow in relationship with God by listening, offering, and then getting out of the way. Ignatius House honors this commitment.

While On Retreat

During a retreat, you may have the option to meet privately with a Spiritual Director. If on a silent retreat, this is a permitted time to speak with someone about the burning questions on your mind or stirrings of your soul.

Your retreat director will offer instruction about how to sign up. Meeting rooms can be found in the main corridor of the Retreat House across from the Library.

Apart from Retreat

Schedule time outside of retreat for regular conversation. Meetings may occur at Ignatius House or at another location that is convenient for you both. There typically is a cost to support the time of your Spiritual Director. Please consult the individual director on what might be an appropriate fee. No one is ever turned away due to lack of funds.

Let us help you select the right individual for your goals.

Contact Sarah Otto for assistance or call 404.255.0503.

Spiritual Directors

Maria Cressler

Executive Director

Maria G. Cressler is the Executive Director of Ignatius House Jesuit Retreat Center and has served in this role since September 2009. She received a B.A. in Sociology from Georgia State University and a Master of Theological Studies and Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Spring Hill College. Her heart for Ignatian Spirituality has broadened the…

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Peter Fink, SJ

Retreat Director

Rev. Peter E. Fink, SJ is a retreat director and spiritual advisor at Ignatius House, having arrived in August 2016. A Jesuit from the New York Province, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1969 and has presided in both the Latin and Maronite churches. Peter came from St. Francis Xavier Church in New York,…

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Joe Lingan, SJ

Associate Director

Rev. Joseph E. Lingan, SJ was raised in Alexandria, Va., attended Gonzaga College High School and Virginia Tech, earning a degree in Public Administration. Following his graduation, he entered the Society of Jesus in 1979 and pronounced his first vows in 1981. He continued his studies at Creighton University, St. Louis University, Weston School of…

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Andy Otto

Retreat Director, Marketing

Andy Otto is a member of the Pastoral department at Ignatius House where he guides digital programming and leads retreats. He also works in Adult Faith Formation at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Decatur, Ga., a Jesuit parish. He holds an M.A. in Theology and Ministry from Boston College. Originally from Boston, Andy spent…

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Sarah Otto

Retreat and Program Director

Sarah Otto serves on the Pastoral Team at Ignatius House. She studied theology as both an undergrad and graduate student, receiving her Master of Divinity from Boston College. Her passion has focused on the intersection of faith and justice, which led her to study in El Salvador. Sarah spent a year in the Jesuit Volunteer…

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Kay Satterfield

Group Sales Manager, Spiritual Director

Kay Satterfield serves on the Pastoral Team and is also the Group Sales Manager at Ignatius House. She holds a Masters in Pastoral Care from Fordham University and a Certification in Spiritual Direction from the Spiritual Renewal Center in Syracuse, NY. For several years, Kay worked as part of the pastoral ministry staff at Immaculate…

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Affiliated Directors

Trained in Jesuit and Ignatian spirituality, these Directors may offer to meet with you at Ignatius House or elsewhere, and some may request a personal fee for their time.

Jennifer Batka

Michele Berrell

Catherine Crosby

Bob Fitzgerald

Retreat Director, Spiritual Director

Frank Mulcahy

Rev. Steven Yander

Begin Your Silent Getaway

Let us help you choose the right retreat experience.

Staff can assist with choosing the right retreat, understanding what to expect, making payment arrangements or other questions you may have. We look forward to welcoming you.