One popular offering is the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. The Exercises are a creative and flexible program of prayer and meditation centered on the life of Jesus in the Gospels, designed to help participants grow in discernment and find God in all things. The Annand Program offers YDS students, staff, and faculty the opportunity to participate in the Exercises free of charge over the course of nine months during the academic year. Participants meet weekly with an Annand spiritual director who is trained to guide people through the Exercises and commit to daily individual prayer throughout the nine-month period.
I am so very grateful for my spiritual director who encouraged me with gentle wisdom and deep kindness through these centuries-old spiritual disciplines. The fruit of these exercises has been the joy of a deeper faith and a revitalized way of being. I will forever be so very thankful for the gift of the Annand Program.
Professor Benjamin Doolittle
Working through the Spiritual Exercises was one of the most meaningful parts of my year. I learned as much through meeting with Pamela each week as I did through any class! It really brought in the spiritual formation I often miss in my academics-heavy divinity degree. Thank you Annand!
YDS student Katie Davis