Prayer Companion Training

For those called to accompany others through the Spiritual Exercises.

Why Prayer Companions Matter

At the heart of the Bridges Retreat are our trained prayer companions — experienced retreatants who meet weekly with those making the Spiritual Exercises to listen, answer questions, and help them attend to what the Spirit is doing in their prayer.

Without prayer companions, there is no Bridges Retreat. Training and forming new companions is one of the most important things we do.

Is This for Me?

Have received the full Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius according to the 19th or 20th annotations
Have participated fully in the “Dynamics of the Spiritual Exercises” small group offered through the Magis Program
Are meeting regularly with a spiritual director
Sense a call to accompany others through the Exercises

Applications are accepted each spring.

The Discernment Process

Receive the Spiritual Exercises via the 19th or 20th Annotation.
Complete the “Dynamics” small group through the Magis Program.
Begin regular spiritual direction.
Apply — after at least one year of Magis and full participation in the Dynamics small group, complete the application form along with two letters of recommendation. Applications are due by June 1 of the application year.
Review — the New Prayer Companion Review Committee reviews each application.
Acceptance into the Training small group for a full year.
Endorsement on completion of the small group.
Mentoring Program — first-year prayer companions meet regularly with an assigned mentor.
Peer consultation — in the second year, prayer companions participate in Peer Consultation / Supervision.

Ongoing formation: all prayer companions maintain an active spiritual direction relationship. Continued participation in Magis is encouraged.

Alternative Path

If you have significant spiritual direction certification or coursework in Ignatian spirituality from another program, we offer an alternative path. An interview with Marian Love will determine next steps.