The Office of Ignatian Spirituality (OIS), a ministry of the Jesuits on the East Coast, works to promote the ministry of the Spiritual Exercises and to create opportunities for people to experience its graces.
About OIS
We are a ministry of the USA East Province of the Society of Jesus.
From Maine to Georgia, we create opportunities for people to experience the graces of the Spiritual Exercises, cultivate the ministry of spiritual direction, and bring together people looking to find God through the wisdom of St. Ignatius Loyola.
We work with Jesuits, women’s religious communities, and lay people. We work with teachers, spiritual directors, alumni of Jesuit schools — anyone inspired by the global mission and charism of the Society of Jesus and its founder, St. Ignatius Loyola.
We are especially committed to helping young adults (20’s and 30’s) and Latinos and Latinas deepen their faith by accompanying them in welcoming and meaningful ways.
We offer more than a dozen programs across our four initiatives, which bring people together to learn, pray, collaborate, and experience God’s grace.
Our Mission
We are committed to partnering with people and ministries to promote Ignatian spirituality for mission.
Spirituality.
We are committed to helping people deepen their faith in Christ through Ignatian spirituality.
Leadership.
We train and support those who who feel called to lead others closer to God — forming “co-laborers” to set the world on fire.
Collaboration.
We foster collaboration among Ignatian institutions and programs, forging partnerships to ensure the success of the mission.
Mission.
We strive to inspire people to live as women and men for others in service to society and the Kingdom of God.
Meet Our Team
If you have questions about our ministry or are unsure who to contact,
email us at ueaois@jesuits.org or call our office at 443-921-1336.
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Carlos Aedo
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
caedo@jesuits.org -
Mary Beth Cassidy
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR JESUIT CONNECTIONS
mcassidy1@jesuits.org -
Sindy Collazo
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF HISPANIC MINISTRIES
scollazo@jesuits.org -
Lauren Gaffey
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
lgaffey@jesuits.org -
Elise Gower
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR CONTEMPLATIVE LEADERS IN ACTION
egower@jesuits.org -
Sean P. Sanford
DIRECTOR OF MISSION
spsanford@jesuits.org -
Zandra Schiemann
PROGRAM COORDINATOR FOR HISPANIC MINISTRIES
zschiemann@jesuits.org -
Nancy Small
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
nsmall@jesuits.org -
Joe Williams
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND ADVANCEMENT
jwilliams1@jesuits.org
Finding God in All Things
St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus.
Ignatian Spirituality
“Ignatian spirituality” is a way discerning the movement of God’s Spirit in the human heart, in history, and in the world. It is rooted in the belief that God can be found in all things.
The Ignatian spiritual tradition comes from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits). “The Exercises,” as they are often called, cultivate a deep and active prayer life built on a personal relationship with Jesus, and this relationship infuses every aspect of life — family, work, school, church, decision-making (aka “discernment”), the pursuit of justice.
Meet Our Ministry Partners
