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Internship

Spiritual direction helps us listen contemplatively to God’s movement in our lives.

Our eighteen month program (January 2024 - May 2025) focuses on the dynamics of the spiritual direction conversation in the tradition of St. Ignatius Loyola’s Spiritual Exercises.  A spiritual director in training will learn how to help a person listen contemplatively to the movements of the Holy Spirit.  The course will be led by Spiritual Directors Lynn Sprehe, Fr. Mark Henninger, SJ, PhD, and Nancy Hulsebosch. 

We will present the foundational principles in Ignatian Spirituality and Christian decision-making. Theory and practice will combine to develop skills in fostering intimacy with God and discernment of God's presence and action, both in your life and in the lives of those whom you assist.

You can find out more about dates, tuition and deadlines here.  To apply for the Spiritual Direction Internship Program, please complete this online form or download a printable application here.  If you need an application sent you to via email, please contact Nikki Bjorgo at nbjorgo@jesuitretreat.org or by calling 847-381-2712. 

Meet the Instructors

Mrs. Lynn Sprehe, MA Psych, MPSis a spiritual director trained in the Ignatian tradition and Coordinator of the Spiritual Direction Internship Program. She is a Clinical Professional Counselor with graduate degrees in Pastoral Studies and Clinical Psychology. In addition, Lynn enjoys offering workshops based on Ignatian Spirituality and sharing Ignatian Spirituality to individuals and small groups. She is married and the mother of three sons.

Nancy Hulsebosch is a Spiritual Director grounded in the principles of Ignatian Spirituality, having completed a three-year spiritual direction internship at Bellarmine. Nancy’s roots in the Jesuit tradition trace back to Marquette University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in 1986. She later received a Master’s degree from National-Louis University. In addition to providing spiritual direction and leading individuals in the Spiritual Exercises, Nancy is active in various ministries in her parish, particularly Scripture study. Nancy is married and the mother of four children.

Fr. Mark Henninger, SJ is a chaplain at Loyola University Hospital in Maywood, IL and a campus minister for the medical and nursing schools. His training in spiritual direction includes an internship at Loyola University’s Institute of Pastoral Studies. For many years he was a professor of medieval philosophy, most recently at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, but with prior positions at Loyola University in Chicago, University of Detroit Mercy, the Gregorian University in Rome, and Arrupe College in Zimbabwe.