Apprenticeship in the Spiritual Exercises
(Audit Option)

A nine-month learning experience for trained spiritual directors to give and adapt the 19th Annotation retreat

September 3, 2024 — May 30, 2025 | 6:30-8:30pm (Eastern U.S.)*

The Apprenticeship in the Spiritual Exercises (ASE) closely accompanies spiritual directors with individual attention, substantive instruction and a learning community as they guide directees through the 19th Annotation retreat-in-everyday-life. For directors already qualified to lead the 19th Annotation, the ASE Audition Option offers access all of our instructional curriculum and group support as they further enhance their expertise in the Spiritual Exercises.

Cohort space for auditors is contingent on enrollment of full program participants.

*Meeting times subject to change prior to summer 2024

 
 

Program distinctives

 

ASE offers a high-touch equipping and empowering apprenticeship model with weekly one-on-one supervision alongside bi-weekly cohort meetings. While ASE auditors won’t participate in the one-on-one component, they can still expect:

  • An emphasis on preparing you to adapt the Exercises to your retreatants’ unfolding experience

  • Integration with an internal family systems (IFS) model of self

  • Ongoing access to all video lessons through our exclusive alumni/ae platform.

  • 100% online (no residency requirement)

 
 

Time commitments

 

Apprentices and auditors meet as a cohort weekly through the end of September. Starting in October, auditors can expect:

  • Biweekly group meetings (1.5-2 hours)

  • Weekly readings and videos (1-3 hours)

Auditors may choose to lead one or more retreats concurrent with the class or not; however, doing so will enhance your learning experience by blending in application according to the curriculum design. Auditors are still expected to complete all reading assignments in order to able to contribute to discussion for the common benefit of the cohort learning community.

 

Entry requirements

 

Prior to applying, those wishing to audit should have:

  1. Experienced the full Spiritual Exercises retreat (preferably directed by a trained retreat director)

  2. Completed a formal two-year training program in spiritual direction (ESDA or similarly accredited)

  3. Completed a formal training program specifically for directing the 19th Annotation (otherwise, we strongly recommend applying for the full ASE training program in order to be qualified to put to practice what you’ll learn in ASE and lead a 19th Annotation retreat)

 

Program texts

 

The ASE program requires only three core texts to be obtained by participants. Some texts may be available via interlibrary loan through your local library system.

Additional readings are provided as electronic selections.

 
 

Program costs

 

$500 for all instruction and group participation, including ongoing access to 22 instructional videos and our exclusive alumni/ae continuing education group

(Estimate an additional $50-100 for books, listed above.)

 
 
 

ASE faculty

 

Br. Brian Hohmeier, OCL, is the director of formation and learning for the Order of the Common Life, where he leads curriculum development for the School of Formation.

Brian trained in the Spiritual Exercises (19th Annotation) at Evangelical Theological Seminary with a graduate certificate and holds an M.A. in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. He’s completed certifications in spiritual direction and internal family systems therapy in addition to graduate coursework in supervision.

Email Br. Brian with questions.

 
 

Apply as an Auditor

Applications to audit the ASE program starting in fall 2024 are now open. Spaces are limited.

To apply to train as a retreat director for certification, visit our full program page.