An Integrated Study of Catholic Prayer, Spirituality, and Culture
Tuition: $3,000
The First Session of the Summer Spirituality Program addresses the Church’s need for diocesan priests to be men of prayer. The summer program is rooted in deep prayer, contemplation, study of human formation, Catholic culture, and lives of doctors of the Church and the saints.
To assist in turning from the noise of the world towards God, the session includes a media fast in which the participants will give up the use of phones, television, computers, popular media, and other electronic devices for most of the week. The fast promotes a new interior freedom for silence, a stilling of the heart and mind for listening to our Lord in a growing awareness of His constant presence. The last eight days are reserved for a silent Ignatian Retreat.
Leading seminarians to a personal union with Christ is the central goal of the program. The program utilizes an experiential approach to apply the lessons of the spiritual masters, like Sts. Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Ignatius of Loyola, and others, in order to bring about a personal transformation. In this retreat environment, the seminarians seek to root themselves in the Heart of Jesus Christ.
The retreat is open to seminarians, deacons, or priests. All participants must have participated in at least one retreat experience of multiple days. The retreat follows the 30 Day Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. A one-day preparatory orientation is included in the program.
By entering into the meditative and contemplative elements of the retreat, the participant will come:
• to recognize the self-revealing love of God in his particular life
• to understand the nature of his call
• to deepen his unique relationship with the Lord
Each day begins with Mass and ends with Eucharistic Adoration. In the beautiful setting of St. Patrick’s seminary, the retreatant encounters a prayerful silence that quickly enters into their hearts. He also meets with a spiritual director once a day.
Please fill out the online form or download the form below.
The applicant is to write a short introduction with self-reflection (no more than one page), expressing your desire to enter into the Summer Spirituality Program and Retreat. A letter of recommendation from your vocation director or a formator is also required. Please also include whether there are any important special needs or medical conditions. Please send this application and recommendation letters to:
Fr. Lawrence Herrera, SJ
St. Patrick’s Seminary & University
320 Middlefield Road
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Pay Online @ https://www.stpsu.edu/online-giving-page (Click the link below)
1. Please click the I want to donate box and mark spirituality program.
2. Click other and put in $3000 dollars.
3. Put in payment information
4. In the comment box put Summer Spirituality program: 30 day Ignatian retreat
or
Pay by mailing a check to
St. Patrick’s Seminary / 30 Day Ignatian Exercises
ATT: Rev. Larry Herrera, SJ
320 Middlefield Rd.
Menlo Park, California 94025