THE BRIDGES I PROGRAM

In the 1500’s, Ignatius of Loyola, created The Spiritual Exercises, a retreat that was most often experienced over the course of 30 days in seclusion. Even in contemporary times, people still engage in The Exercises through this format, particularly those considering joining the Jesuits and those who deeply espouse Ignatian Spirituality. However, Ignatius realized that not everyone could leave their daily responsibilities for such a long time, so he also allowed for this retreat to be given over an extended period within the context of one’s life circumstances. Bridges facilitates The Spiritual Exercises in everyday life.

The essence of this retreat is deepening one’s unique and personal relationship with God, and this occurs within a formal structure of dynamics and graces that are experienced. The Exercises, through a variety of prayer techniques and materials, engages the entire person, including one’s will, intellect, feelings, physical senses and imagination. The Exercises is an invitation to deeper authenticity and freedom. The Exercises is one way to fall more deeply in love with the God who created us for that purpose.

The most important aspect of this retreat is one’s private prayer time, where God deals directly with the retreatant. For this reason, retreatants are asked to begin with a minimum of 30 minutes of prayer a day, growing to praying one hour a day.

Another critical component of the retreat is private weekly meetings with an experienced prayer companion. The role of the prayer companion, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is to journey with you through The Exercises based upon your experiences during your prayer time.

The Bridges experience also includes a communal dimension. Some of our sites facilitate this community aspect more strongly through weekly presentations and periodic opportunities for group sharing, while other sites have fewer of these communal activities because they offer flexible weekly meeting times.

Bridges welcomes adult Christians of all denominations.

This retreat starts each year in September and concludes in May. There are various weekly meeting locations in the metro area, and meeting times offered weekday mornings, afternoons and evenings. Through Bridges, The Spiritual Exercises in everyday life have been offered each year in St. Louis since 1989 to over a thousand participants.

What is the Next Step?

Bridges I starts in September each year, but that does not mean you need to wait to start discerning whether Bridges is right for you at this time in your life. Please consider attending A Morning or Evening of Prayer – A Taste of the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius Loyola (offered during Lent), one of our information sessions (offered May through August) and/or the Ignatian Community Renewal Retreat (offered in July). Additionally, we welcome you to contact Cheryl Rauschenbach, our Recruiting Coordinator, (cheryl_rauschenbach@yahoo.com or 636-225-8433) who can provide more information and answer your questions.

THE COST In order to make the program affordable, you are welcome to enroll at any level of payment that you choose, even if it is at no cost to you. The cost to the Bridges Foundation for putting one retreatant through the Bridges I program is $882. We depend on grants and donations from our benefactors to alleviate this expense, and to make it possible for all who wish to attend the retreat to do so, regardless of their ability to pay. Please pay whatever amount you can afford. A payment schedule can be arranged. If you pay more than the cost of sponsoring one retreatant, we appreciate your generosity. If you cannot give as much, we understand. One person helps another and no one is turned away due to financial circumstances.