Breaking Open the Word
THE IGNATIAN WAY

Rooted in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, The Ignatian Way is a dual-track nine-month program that forms and endorses emerging leaders for public ministry in preaching and spiritual companionship while nurturing care for the whole person with retreats and regular prayer.

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!
Apply by July 1.

Image of different shades of blue in the form of a swirl looking much like stained glass
““This program has been life-changing for me, providing me insight, inspiration, and community for my own spiritual and personal growth. It came at the right time.””
— The Ignatian Way Spiritual Companion

About Ignatian SpiritualitY

Ignatian spirituality grounds Ignatian Way Preachers and Spiritual Companions to:

  • See life and all of creation as gifts that call forth wonder and gratitude

  • Value the experience of the whole person, imagination, emotions, and intellect

  • Seek the divine in all things and the everyday life of peoples, cultures, and the human experience – especially in the person of Jesus.

  • Cultivate an awareness of personal and social evil, and the all-powerful love of God

  • Emphasize freedom, the need for discernment, and responsible action

  • Encourage leaders to be in service and solidarity as men and women for others, giving preference to the poor and helping to build a more just and humane world

What is Preaching?

At the Ignatian Spirituality Center, preaching is more than delivering homilies or sermons—it is any way the Word is shared: in retreats, small groups, liturgies or services, conversations, or online. Preaching belongs not only to the ordained, but to anyone moved to share the Gospel with love, imagination, and authenticity in daily life.

“Exposure to a tradition of preaching and homiletics that I have not had much experience with has helped me become a better preacher with actionable things that I’ve woven in this year.”
— The Ignatian Way Preaching Participant

The Programs

The Ignatian Way Preachers and Spiritual Companions are grounded in the Spiritual Exercises and its Gospel message that is rooted in justice and includes all persons. As inspiring leaders of diverse ages and cultures, The Ignatian Way Preachers and Spiritual Companions are called to serve the people of faith in the Pacific Northwest region.

program characteristics

  • Hybrid endorsement program completed in nine months in a small cohort

  • Formation in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius

  • Care for the whole person through retreats, rest, and prayer

  • Enriched learning through small cohorts of diverse participants

  • Coaching and spiritual direction for all participants

  • A funded year-end individual or team project

  • The Ignatian Way endorsement from the ISC

IGNATIAN WAY PREACHERS

The Ignatian Way Preachers program forms persons to break open the Word with imagination, justice, and spiritual depth. The process encourages authentic, culturally relevant proclamation for today’s diverse communities.

Participants in The Ignatian Way Preachers will:

  • Grasp the core principles of preaching

  • Integrate Ignatian spirituality and prayer into their preaching

  • Learn to engage diverse and young adult audiences

  • Cultivate their authentic voice and identity as preachers

  • Gain insight and personal wisdom

  • Apply tools for vocational discernment and decisions

IGNATIAN WAY SPIRITUAL COMPANIONS

The Ignatian Way Spiritual Companions program forms persons to practice listening, sharing the Word, and guiding prayer for one-on-one and group settings. The process prepares them to guide others with authenticity, spiritual depth, and attentiveness to God’s movement.

Participants in The Ignatian Way Spiritual Companions will:

  • Understand the essentials of being a spiritual companion

  • Integrate Ignatian spirituality and prayer into their ministry

  • Learn to engage diverse and young adult audiences

  • Grow in their identity as a spiritual companion

  • Gain insight and personal wisdom

  • Apply tools for vocational discernment and decisions

“I feel so lucky to be part of this cohort and so grateful for the formation. It has been such a fun and encouraging year of growth and experience.”
— The Ignatian Way Preacher

Program Elements

The Ignatian Way encourages all participants to be open and curious as learners, to deepen their understanding, and broaden their view of themselves, their faith, and world. Endorsement in The Ignatian Way requires full participation in the following.

All IGNatian Way Participants

  • Fall opening orientation retreat weekend

  • Spring closing retreat and and celebration

  • Praying the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius daily

  • A funded year-end individual or team spring project

  • Reflective observation and note taking on prayer experience

  • Supplemental readings from diverse authors of Ignatian spirituality and preaching

  • Optional events and conferences, funded by The Ignatian Way

THE Ignatian Way Preachers

  • One-on-one coaching

  • Online seminars with BIPOC theologians, Ignatian practitioners, Jesuit teachers

THE Ignatian Way Spiritual Companions

  • Monthly in-person formation meetings, supervision, and consultation

  • Online Companion practice and peer review sessions

Picture of Carla Orlando with a quote about her hopes for The Ignatian Way on a blue background

Schedule & COmmitments

THE Ignatian way preachers

Opening Orientation Retreat: 3-days, 2-nights at Dumas Bay Retreat Center, September 18-20

Spiritual Exercises Teaching Retreats: Saturday mornings October 10, November 7, December 12, January 9, February 13, March 6, April 3, May 8

Online Preaching Seminars
Wednesday evenings 6-8 pm
Series 1: October 14, 21, 28
Series 2: November 4, 11, 18
Series 3: January 13, 20, 27
Series 4: March 10, 17, 24
Series 5: April 14, 21, 28

Daily Prayer with The Spiritual Exercises:  20-45 minutes

Spiritual Direction: 1-hour monthly, November–May

Preaching Coach: Up to five 1-hour sessions, November-April

Ignatian Way Spring Project: Funded individual project design and facilitation, 15-20 hours

Closing Retreat & Celebration: St. Mary's On-the-Lake, June 5, 3-8 pm

The Ignatian way Spiritual Companions

Opening Orientation Retreat: 3-days, 2-nights at Dumas Bay Retreat Center, September 18-20

Spiritual Exercises Teaching Retreats: Saturday mornings: October 10, November 7, December 12, January 9, February 13, March 6, April 3, May 8

Ignatian Way Online Seminars: Wednesday evenings, 6-7PM: October 14, November 4, January 13, March 10, April 14

Spiritual Companion In-Person Meetings: Tuesday evenings, 5-8 pm: October 13, November 10, January 12, February 9, March 9, April 6, May 4

Monthly Online Practice Sessions: Tuesday evenings, 6-7:30 pm: October 27, November 24, January 26, February 23, March 23, April 20, May 18

Daily Prayer with The Spiritual Exercises:  20-45 minutes

Spiritual Direction:, 1-hour monthly, November – May

Ignatian Way Spring Project: Funded individual project design and facilitation, 15-20 hours

Closing Retreat & Celebration: St. Mary's On-the-Lake, June 5, 3-8 pm

Cost

We are grateful for the generous support of the Lilly Endowment to cover the cost for participants in both tracks of the program.

Application

Who Should Apply?

The Ignatian Way formation program is open to both ecumenical BIPOC (all ages) and young adults (24-39 years old, all races/ethnicities) who live in the Pacific Northwest and are committed to sharing their faith with others: emerging leaders, lay ministers, pastors, teachers, spiritual directors, chaplains, and others who seek to deepen a call to ministry in their community.

The Application

Applications for the 2026-27 year are due July 1, 2026. If you see this after the deadline, please check with Carla Orlando at carla@ignatiancenter.com.

To apply for either The Ignatian Way Preachers or Spiritual Companions, please fill out the application. In addition to basic information, you will be asked for:

  1. A short spiritual autobiography (250 words) that includes important influences such as people, events, authors or circumstances that impacted your spiritual path and choices. This may be written into or attached to the online application.

  2. Your motivations for participating for The Ignatian Way program, including your reflection on your schedule and availability for the time needed.

  3. The impact that your participation will have on your life of faith and call to ministry.

References

Please provide two references from people who are familiar with your faith life and call to ministry (no family members, please). Contact your references and give them the appropriate link to their reference form and ask them to respond before July 1.

Ignatian Way Preacher - tinyurl.com/TIWP27Ref
Ignatian Way Spiritual Companion - tinyurl.com/TIWSC27Ref

Apply Now

Interview

Final candidates will be interviewed by a team along with The Ignatian Way Program Manager, Carla Orlando. Carla will contact applicants the week of July 15 about interviews.

Decision

Each candidate will be prayerfully considered by the interview team. All will be notified of decisions no later than Friday, August 14.

QUESTIONS?

Please contact The Ignatian Way Program Manager, Carla Orlando, at carla@ignatiancenter.org with any questions.