Ignatian Day Will Offer Range of Reflections

The Jesuit Institute in Johannesburg is hosting an Ignatian Day on August 3, describing it as “an opportunity to learn more about Ignatian Spirituality, whether you are totally new to it or have been doing it for years”.

The keynote speaker is Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, primate of the Anglican Church of South Africa.

There will also be a choice of three out of 15 workshops on offer.  At registration the institute will ask people to indicate their choice of four workshops and do its best to accommodate three choices. All workshop requests will be first-come, first-serve.

Fr Russell Pollitt SJ, director of the institute, will present “The Spirituality that shaped Pope Francis”, reflecting on what aspects of Ignatian Spirituality seem to have shaped the Jesuit pope’s worldview.

Dr Annemarie Paulin-Campbell, also of the Jesuit Institute, will present a workshop on “Ignatius and his legacy”, drawing on her recent experiences visiting Loyola, birthplace of the founder of the Jesuits.

For an advanced audience, she will present “Ignatian Spirituality and positive psychology”, on how recent developments in psychology connect with the Spiritual Exercises and Ignatian Spirituality.

Puleng Matsaneng will offer “Journeying with Ignatius in the townships”, on Ignatian Spirituality’s ties with township culture.

Fr Anthony Egan SJ will talk on “Finding God in film”, seeing movies as a source of spiritual growth.

Fr Matthew Charlesworth SJ will deal with “Ignatian Spirituality online”, looking at websites for praying, teaching, researching and learning about Ignatian Spirituality, St Ignatius and the Jesuit charism.

Spiritual directors Rev Reggie Venter and Cherie-Lynn van der Merwe  will present “The God who speaks: listening in wonder”, explaining how the Ignatian Institute offers support in developing an intimate prayer life with God.

Morongoa Selepe will speak on how Ignatian Spirituality can help young adults find answers to question of faith, identity and vocation.

Nontobeko Mhlongo will examine the importance of Ignatian Spirituality in the lives of the youth or young adults, where many have lost hope and are struggling with their relationship with God.

Retired Anglican Bishop Peter Lee will present “The power of the Examen prayer”, on how this Ignatian-inspired practice draws from our experience and of reflection on it.

Jacques Bornman, a pastor at the post-denominational Mosaiek, will discuss how the Spiritual Exercises have helped his congregation grow deeper in its friendship with God.

Michelle Pilet of the Anglican diocese of Johannesburg will present “Visio divinia”, experiential praying using words, colours and images.

Spiritual director Lynn Fletcher of the Jesuit Institute will offer “Sense-abled prayer”, praying so you feel what you hear, taste what you see.

Retired academic Dr Gillian Godsell will explain how she has used Neil Gaiman’s poem “Instructions” to help her PhD students.

Registrations by July 26 are R200, thereafter R250.

For the full programme and to register go to www.jesuitinstitute.org.za/index.php/event/ignatian-day-2019/ For queries, contact Margaret Backwell at