Dollymount Strand

The Ignatian Spirituality Project

Spiritual Retreats Provide Hope and Transformation

The Ignatian Spirituality Project (ISP) provides Ignatian retreats for women and men who have experienced homelessness and are in recovery from addiction. ISP serves 29 cities across the US and Canada, and in partnership with Manresa Jesuit Centre of Spirituality, ISP is now beginning in Dublin. With support from the head office in Chicago, we are adapting the project to the Irish context, drawing on the experience of twenty years in North America.

Our Story

The Ignatian Spirituality Project (ISP) began in Chicago in 1998 when Fr. Bill Creed, SJ was invited to begin making the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius available to the economically disadvantaged. Together with his friend, Ed Shurna, Director of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, they created a retreat that brought hope, healing, and transformation to those living on the margins of society.

The wisdom of the Exercises expressed in the contemporary language of the 12-Step recovery program provides a unique backdrop for our retreats and a helpful starting point for our retreatants.

We hope to provide Weekend Retreats, Days of Reflection, and Ongoing Reflection Programs. Long lasting transformation is only possible when one has a fundamental paradigm of hope: our retreats provide that spark. Ultimately, we hope that our efforts will help end the injustice of homelessness.

Our Retreatants

We are developing relationships with service providers to invite men and women who are already working toward ending their homelessness. Often these people are:

  • Sober for three months
  • Willing to share their story
  • Want to companion others in their journey

Here are some first-hand reflections from recent retreatants:

  • “This retreat changed my whole outlook on life. It brought me closer to God. I have so much faith and hope for the future.” (Louisville)
  • “I feel more at peace than I ever have before.” (Detroit)
  • “My life is worth living!” (Atlanta)
  • “[The retreat] opened my mind and gave me the courage to believe in myself, others and life for the first time in 30 years. Thank you.’ (New Orleans)

Our Approach

We form teams in each of our cities to help facilitate our retreat ministry. Our talented and dedicated volunteers are trained to offer these retreats drawing on the 500-year-old tradition of Ignatian Spirituality expressed in the modern 12-step addiction recovery movement.

Our Needs

We offer our retreats at no cost to our participants. We estimate that our retreats will cost on average €175 per person, per retreat. We remain grateful for your prayer and support.

How can I help?

  • Donation
  • Retreat Facilitator
  • Prayer
  • Hospitality Items
  • Transportation
  • Days of Reflection

Please visit https://ispretreats.org/ for more information or email dublinisp@gmail.com