Ignatian Spirituality
and Antiracism Gathering
FRANCISCAN RENEWAL CENTER
Scottsdale, AZ | January 5-8, 2023
This gathering will bring together practitioners from across the country and a variety of institutions—parishes, retreat houses, and secondary schools—to create a shared vision for Jesuit antiracist apostolates and new possibilities for partnership across the Jesuit institutional network.
The gathering will use the framework of the four weeks of the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola to explore the intersections between Ignatian Spirituality and Antiracism.
Session Themes:
- Opening Session – An Overview of the Four Weeks and the long work of Antiracism;
- Session #1 – Who are we? Developing self-understanding of who we are as people of faith of diverse backgrounds;
- Session #2 – What we do. Exploring our efforts to follow Jesus, to be antiracist, through our roles in Catholic ministry and education in the Jesuit tradition;
- Session #3 – The Pedagogy of the Cross: Reflecting on suffering present in the reality of racism in society and our communities;
- Session #4 – The Power of Possibility: How can I live in the hope of new life? How can I bring that hope to my Jesuit institution? How can I be part of a network of hope?
Sessions will include opportunities for personal and group reflection. Each participant will also be part of a spiritual conversation group that will meet throughout the gathering. Days will begin and end with prayer or liturgy.
Sponsors: The Jesuit Antiracism Sodality (JARS) & the Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN)
Co-sponsors: Office of Justice & Ecology, UMI, UEA, UCS, UWE Jesuit Provinces
- Thursday, January 5
- 4 PM Check-In Begins
- 7 PM Opening Prayer and Session
- 12 PM Lunch
- 2 PM Session #2: What we do.
- 5 PM Mass / Dinner
- 8 PM Social
- Friday, January 6
- 9 AM Prayer and Theological Reflection
- 9:45 AM
Session #1 – Who are we? - 12 PM Lunch
- 2 PM Session #2: What we do.
- 5 PM Mass / Dinner
- 8 PM Social
- Saturday, January 7
- 9 AM Prayer and Theological Reflection
- 9:45 AM
Session #3 – The Pedagogy of the Cross - 12 PM Lunch
- 2 PM Session #4: The Power of Possibility
- 5 PM Closing Mass / Social / Dinner
- 8 PM Local Excursion (optional)
WHO?
Those involved in the direct work of antiracism through our parishes, retreat houses, and secondary schools, and their allies. Institutions are asked to send not just their diversity, equity, and inclusion (if applicable) staff member or coordinator, but also another employee, too, to emphasize that this work does not rest solely on any one person.
This gathering is meant to bring together those who otherwise might not meet, at least not at a gathering solely dedicated to this topic and sponsored by both the Jesuits and the Ignatian Solidarity Network.
WHY?
To look at antiracism through an Ignatian lens. To bridge the perceived gap between Mission work and antiracism work, which should be understood as one and the same. To better connect and inspire antiracism efforts happening across the country in Jesuit institutions.
WHERE?
Franciscan Renewal Center is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, where each attendee will have a private room with an individual bathroom. The Center is located approximately 25-30 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. There is free parking on site.
COST:
Each Jesuit province will sponsor the cost of 16 participants, including all program, room, and board fees (a cost of $565 / person). The sending institution will be responsible for covering the cost of travel to/from the Franciscan Renewal Center in Phoenix. Institutions that need additional assistance should contact their respective province’s Provincial Assistant for Justice and Ecology.
To register, please complete the registration form a password is required and can be obtained from your Jesuit province’s assistant for justice and ecology.