Spiritual Direction Formation Program

Ignatius House is pleased to offer Tending the Flame, a program which trains participants over a two year period in the art of spiritual direction. The program is grounded in the Ignatian tradition and the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Spiritual conversation was a central part of the early Jesuits’ ministry and still is today. As with the disciples on the road to Emmaus, spiritual conversation can open our eyes to the presence of the divine in our lives. The disciples, upon reflection, said “Were not our hearts burning within us?” It was spiritual conversation that kept the flame of faith alive in their hearts.

The role of the spiritual director is not to create that flame (only God can do this), but to tend it. We companion a fellow Christian on their journey with God and invite them to examine the ways God’s spirit is moving in their lived experience.

 
Tendingtheflamelogo33

We are excited to announce that the application for the 2027-2028 cohort of the Tending the Flame Spiritual Direction Formation Program is now open! Below you’ll find the program details and application information. We look forward to journeying with you through this transformative experience.

 

Prerequisites

  • Completion of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius retreat, either in 19th Annotation in daily life or 30 day format
  • Be in the ongoing spiritual direction
  • Experience of a 5-night Ignatian individually directed retreat
  • Regular participation in an individual and communal faith practice
 

Program Details

Program Date: March 2027 - December 2028

In-Person Components 

Four in person residencies: 

  • March 7-14, 2027 (Sun-Sun)
    • Orientation to the Ministry of Spiritual Direction 
    • Seminar on the 19th Annotation Retreat Experience 
  • Sept 9-12, 2027 (Thu-Sun)
    • Supervised Directed Retreat 
  • Apr 27-30, 2028 (Thu-Sun)
    • Identity Issues in Spiritual Direction
  • 2028 – 5/8-night personal directed retreat

Closing Retreat: December 8-10, 2028 

Zoom Components 

Welcome Evening: Wed Feb 17, 2027 (7:00-8:30pm)

Saturday Classes (2nd Saturday, 9:30am-12:30pm): Triads, Supervision, & Instruction

  • 2027: Apr 10, May 8, Jun 12, Aug 8, Oct 9, Dec 4 (1st Sat) 
  • 2028: Feb 12, Mar 11, Apr 8, May 13, Jun 10, Sep 9, Oct 14 

Wed Classes (4th Wednesday, 6:30-9:00pm): Course Instruction

  • 2027: Mar 24, Apr 28, May 26, Aug 25, Oct 27, Nov 17 (3rd Wed) 
  • 2028: Jan 26, Feb 23, Mar 22, May 24, Aug 23, Sep 27, Oct 25 

Cost: $4,000 for the 2 year program. Tuition includes in-person residencies at Ignatius House.

 

Application Process

To begin the application process, please contact:

Kay Satterfield
Tending the Flame Spiritual Direction Formation Program Coordinator
ksatterfield@ignatiushouse.org | 404.255.0503, ext. 246

The full application will be emailed to the candidates after the initial interview.

All applications and references must be received by November 1, 2026.