The Spiritual Exercises offer a way of learning to pray and to talk about God. They offer a way to express one’s relationship with Christ with oneself, others, the world, and the Church.

Pope Francis has made it very clear how the future of the earth and the future of humanity are linked. This is especially true for the most vulnerable. Francis often reminds us that caring for and healing the planet is part of our Christian calling.

Recently, Fr. Arturo Sosa, SJ, invited Jesuits and Jesuit institutions to implement the second phase of the Universal Apostolic Preferences. He encourages us to use our imagination as we embark on the second stage.

As we begin the season of Lent, there are different prayer practices we turn to during the forty days of the season. Penance is one of these practices I have always connected with. It helps "lower my guard" as I am made more open to God's action in my life.

May this liturgical season help us to open ourselves to God's grace so that he transforms us into a people for others. Below, please find a few resources and programs from OIS and across the Ignatian community to help deepen your prayer this Lent.

Parenting is certainly a team effort, and parents can find nourishment in the profound wisdom of Ignatius, the Exercises, and Ignatian Spirituality.

We invite parents in their 20s-40s to be part of our upcoming Jesuit Connections program, Parenting Through the Lens of Ignatian Spirituality: A Community Conversation. This three-part online series will be an opportunity for parents inspired by Ignatian spirituality to come together to reflect on the joys and challenges of raising children. Fr. John Siberski, SJ, will open the gathering with a short reflection. Please feel free to join us for one or all of these community gatherings.

As we begin the season of Advent, we reflect on the opportunity presented in the Responsorial Psalm from the First Sunday of Advent, “Lord, make us turn to you.” We invite you to "reflect and take advantage" (“reflectir y sacar provecho”) of the season of Advent. Our office has prepared magnificent possibilities to turn to the Lord for these weeks.

I pray that this invitation, very Ignatian of course, is part of our prayer and conversation.

The time is near.