Spiritual Exercises of the Pilgrim
A Personalized Pilgrimage Final Retreat
“Joy, a Path of Consolation”
por Zandra Schiemann
The Office of Ignatian Spirituality, in collaboration with Casa Kino, Center for Ignatian Spirituality, concluded with gratitude and joy the 2025 Pilgrim Spiritual Exercises Program.
The final gathering took place on June 21 through an online retreat via Zoom, guided by Fr. Andrés Hernández, SJ, and brought together 30 participants from Hispanic Ignatian Communities and other groups along the East Coast, joined by their spiritual companions.
This closing space of prayer reflected on the Fourth Week of the Exercises, focusing on the joy of the risen Jesus and our own personal stories.
Inspired by “The Resurrecting God” and Eduardo Meana’s song “If You Wish, I’ll Walk With You”, the retreat offered a profound contemplation on the desire to allow oneself to be resurrected.
Through the passage of the Road to Emmaus and moments of personal prayer, participants meditated on sorrow, the rhythm of the journey, table fellowship, and rediscovery within community.
This experience helped reclaim the truth that, although life is not only pain, opening ourselves to joy can be difficult. Yet the call to resurrection remains alive, and faith is reborn when we are willing to listen, accompany, and speak from the heart!