Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality

Encountering the Living God | 10-Week Program

A 10-week program of prayer and reflection, under the personal guidance of one of the Murphy Center’s trained spiritual directors. This program is open to Fairfield students, faculty, staff and members of the larger community. Its method and content are inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius o f Loyola. Participants meet weekly with a spiritual director for ten consecutive weeks.

19th Annotation, Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life (SEEL) | Year-Long Program

A guided retreat accompanied by a Spiritual Director, the 19th Annotation, Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life (SEEL) program helps participants better discern God's presence in their everyday life. The SEEL retreat usually lasts at least a year, during which time the retreatant meets weekly with a director and follows the model of prayer outlined by St. Ignatius of Loyola. The retreatant commits to daily prayer, while continuing his or her normal routine. This is known widely as “The Retreat in Daily Life” or “The 19th Annotation Retreat." Ideally, participants should be in spiritual direction before undertaking the SEEL in this form.

Life After the Exercises

Intended for those from the University and Prep community and beyond, who have completed the full Exercises of St. Ignatius and who seek to nourish and refresh the graces received during the Exercises. Includes an annual retreat, regular study sessions on themes of Ignatian Spirituality, and small groups for faith-sharing.

Monthly Spiritual Direction

Is for anyone, of any faith, who is seeking a deeper connection with God. Participants meet monthly with a spiritual director who can assist them in developing the skills needed to recognize the presence of God in their life. A spiritual director is a companion who aids in listening for the movements of the Sacred. The spiritual director helps a person pay attention to God’s personal communication, respond, grow in intimacy with God, and live out the invitations that emerge from that relationship.

Walking Examen

Fairfield University's Walking Examen is the first of its kind on a Jesuit campus. Beginning on the plaza of Egan Chapel, this mile-long prayer and meditation trail was designed to cultivate prayerful discernment and an awareness of God’s presence around us.

The Examen is a contemplative prayer practice made popular by St. Ignatius of Loyola that invites us to see God in our everyday lives. There are five steps to the Walking Examen identified by five large rocks with a plaque. Each step signifies the five movements of the Examen prayer: Thanksgiving, Illumination, Examination, Contrition, and Hope.

Bookmarks with maps are available in the Library, Campus Ministry, Admission, and in the Murphy Center for anyone who would like to follow the route.

“Finding God in All Things” | Semester-Long Course

Following the model of the Encountering the Living God program, this for-credit course is intended for Fairfield University undergraduates, and is led by a team of Murphy Center spiritual directors. “Finding God in All Things” is offered to Fairfield University undergraduates every semester of the academic year, and introduces students to the spiritual legacy of St. Ignatius Loyola, as expressed in his writings and in the history and on-going mission of the Jesuits. As part of the class, students are offered the opportunity to participate in the Ten-Week Ignatian Experience.

“Christian Spirituality” | Semester-Long Course

This for-credit course is intended for Fairfield University undergraduates, and is led by a team of Murphy Center spiritual directors. “Christian Spirituality” introduces students to the fundamentals of spirituality through a variety of different traditions, and offers students the opportunity to participate in the Ten-Week Ignatian Experience.

STAG Athlete Support

MCIS offers retreats and spiritual support for all student athletes. Team retreats are coordinated through Athletics and individual one-on-one Spiritual Direction is available through MCIS.

Any student athlete who is interested in deepening his or her spiritual connection and personal growth is invited to explore opportunities at the Murphy Center in a meeting with one of the Center’s spiritual directors.

Spiritual directors are trained to accompany others on the journey to find meaning and purpose in everyday activities, paying attention to the sacred graces animating daily life. All are welcome. For more information or to arrange a meeting, please contact Marcy Haley at mhaley1@fairfield.edu.

“Aging With Grace” | Semester-Long Virtual Program

“Aging With Grace” meets every Wednesday, virtually via Zoom. Open to retirees of all faiths, the course uses prayer, assigned readings and personal reflection to guide participants through an exploration of the spiritual dynamics of growing older. All are welcome!

Rev. John Murray, S.J., will offer "Aging With Grace" each semester on Wednesdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Fall 2023 AWG participants are asked to purchase this semester's required book prior to the beginning of the course: The Sound of Life’s Unspeakable Beauty, by Martin Schleske.

To register by mail, please provide the following information:

1. Full Name
2. Mailing Address
3. A $40.00 check payable to Fairfield University (Please write "AWG Fall 2023" in Memo line.)
4. Mail to:
   Colleen Gilbertson
   Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality
   1073 North Benson Rd.
   Fairfield, CT 06824

MCIS Women’s Initiative | During Advent and Lent

The MCIS Women's Initiative seeks to assist women in their desire to find God in all things. Programs are designed to nurture personal spiritual growth in both a communal and individual atmosphere with biannual meetings consisting of a brief talk followed by self-reflection and small faith-sharing groups. The group is open to Fairfield faculty, staff and members of the larger community.

Parish Ignatian Pilgrimage

A multi-month program offered in parishes of the Diocese of Bridgeport, providing participants with an introduction to Ignatian Spirituality in both theory and practice. The program includes lectures, discussions in faith-sharing groups and opportunities for individually directed prayer experiences.

Spiritual Director Formation Program | Two-Year Certificate Program

A two-year certificate program conducted at Fairfield University, intended for persons with a ministerial and theological background who wish to be trained as spiritual directors in the Ignatian tradition.