Spiritual formation and development is a hallmark of Catholic education in the Jesuit tradition. At Gonzaga, we seek to support to the religious practices and spiritual depth of students as well as employees. Mission Engagement offers a variety of opportunities specifically for faculty and staff. A summary of several regular programs is included below. For a more detailed calendar of upcoming offerings, visit our Upcoming Events page.
- First Spiritual Exercises – First Spiritual Exercises is a four-week mini-retreat in daily life. Participants engage in daily reflection (text provided) on their own and meet for weekly small group sharing led by trained facilitators. Seekers and people of all faith traditions are welcome to this retreat experience, which is rooted in the Catholic, Christian tradition and is adapted from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits.
- Visio Divina – Offered several times per year, this guided prayer experience combines Scripture, music, and beautiful images from the St. John’s Illuminated Bible.
- SEEL (Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life) – Gonzaga supports and subsidizes the participation of faculty and staff in the SEEL Retreat, a 30-week experience of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. For more information, visit SEEL Spokane.
- Faith Sharing - Gather weekly to pray and discuss scripture readings based on the lectionary. Feel free to drop in once or to make it a weekly practice. This is an opportunity to intentionally engage one’s work and faith with colleagues. Please email Beth Barsotti (barsotti@gonzaga.edu) to express your interest. We use a book titled Ponder: Contemplative Bible Study by Mahri Leonard-Fleckman, as a guide; Materials are provided.
- Our educational mission is rooted in the rich spiritual and religious tradition of the Society of Jesus, an Order within the Catholic Church. Jesuit spirituality is imaginative, reflective, and active. It begins with a personal, intimate relationship with a God of Love who invites us to participate in the healing and restoration of our communities and our world. For more information, and for online tools to help you deepen your spirituality, please visit our resources page.