For 35 years, the Bridges Retreat has been helping individuals connect and integrate the 500-year-old Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola into their busy lives. The 8-month retreat helps participants draw closer to God and Jesus, create a more disciplined prayer life using a variety of prayer styles, find spiritual guidance for making big decisions, and form a clearer picture of their purpose and future. Here's what is involved:

• The opportunity to have a full experience of the Spiritual Exercises over an extended period of time, as envisioned and created by St. Ignatius, the founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).
• A commitment to about an hour of prayer each day, following a modern translation of the original text.
• Personalized, one-on-one guidance from an experienced, trained prayer companion.
• Weekly or monthly small community meetings at five locations throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area, in addition to an online option for those outside the area or those who need a virtual experience.

The retreat begins in September 2024, and registration is limited each year to about 40 participants. The retreat is open to Christians of all denominations and is designed to meet the spiritual longings of persons at all stages of the life journey.

Free information sessions will be offered at a number of Greater St. Louis-area sites this summer, as well as a virtual “Zoom” session. For more details about the retreat and information session schedule, visit www.bridgesfoundation.org. For questions, contact Steve Givens, executive director, at [email protected] or 314-401-2072.