Greater Freedom through Ignatian Prayer
An Ignatian, Silent Midweek Retreat for Women
October 10 - 12, 2023
Groups Attending: Individuals
This retreat is currently at capacity or registration is closed. Please call the office at 847.381.1261 with questions.
Summary
Every day is filled with choices, large and small, each an opportunity to grow closer to God. Sometimes things we hold dear get in the way. This retreat will focus on the movements of the Spiritual Exercises through a variety of Ignatian-inspired ways of praying toward the grace of living a life of love and service more freely.
Description
This retreat includes several presentations, daily mass, 6 meals, the opportunity for one-on-one spiritual direction with a trained spiritual director, and many other opportunities to explore our 80 acres and almost 60k square feet of interior space. All activities are optional, but we do ask everyone to respect the quiet of the retreat house for everyone to have the opportunity to read, sleep and reflect in the quiet.
Bellarmine has two libraries, a resource center, two chapels, and many other common areas. Outdoor spaces include a various walking trails, various prayer gardens, a gazebo, stations of the cross, as well as a few patios and outdoor chairs and benches. Each retreatant has their own bedroom.
You can learn more about what to expect by visiting this page.
Retreat Experience Gallery
Bellarmine Main Entrance
Sacred Heart Chapel
Mary McKeon Library
St. Joseph Gazebo
Mother Teresa Garden
Eastern Africa Collection
Fireplace Lounge
Dining Room
Winter on the Grounds
Resource Center
Sacred Heart Statue at Sunset
Susie's Memorial Garden
Madonna Library
Lower Level Lounge
Retreat Leader
Jenene Francis
Jenéne Francis is an aspiring contemplative in action who enjoys adapting and offering the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius for days of reflection and retreats. She finds writing creative non-fiction and short fiction a fruitful spiritual practice. Jenéne recently retired from the Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus after many years supporting Jesuits and lay colleagues who serve retreat houses, spirituality programs, parishes, and as hospital chaplains and other pastoral ministers. Having spent her first career at Procter & Gamble in Product Development and Manufacturing, followed by more than 20 years in Jesuit ministry, Jenéne gets great satisfaction offering her engineer’s head and poet’s heart for “the greater glory of God.”