Bridges I - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I have to attend an information session in order to register?

No, however attendance at an information session is strongly encouraged because you will have the opportunity to learn more about Bridges, meet others who have participated in the program and ask any questions you may have.

Do I have to attend an information session at the same location that I plan to register for?

No. Please feel free to attend any information session according to what location and time you find convenient.

How can I learn more about The Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola?

You may wish to visit www.faculty.fairfield.edu/jmac/se/se.htm.

Why do people participate in Bridges?

The broad answer is that they are seeking a deeper relationship with God. Of course there are many more specific reasons unique to each individual. There is no question that this extended retreat has the possibility to be life changing and life giving in many ways.

What types of people participate in Bridges?

Bridges retreatants are a diverse group including single, married, vowed religious sisters, and occasionally priests or pastors. Most participants are Roman Catholic lay persons, although this retreat is completely appropriate for any adult Christian and some from other denominations have participated. Some are stay at home moms, some working married couples do the retreat concurrently, a fair number of participants are retired, and anywhere in between.

What should I expect from this retreat?

Expectations can sometimes get in the way of what God wishes for us and even what we most deeply want for ourselves. However, it is difficult to imagine that one could earnestly participate in this retreat without experiencing a deepened relationship with God and accompanying changes in oneself such as a greater sense of being loved, a deeper sense of freedom, a more developed ability to discern, etc.

What typically happens during the weekly one on one meetings between the retreatant and the prayer companion?

First of all what happens is confidential. Secondly, each retreatant is unique and as is each prayer companion, so exactly what happens is accordingly different. However, generally the prayer companion is much more of a listener than a speaker, and much more of a companion than a teacher or sharer of wisdom. Each week the retreatant shares with the prayer companion his or her experiences of what happened during the prayer times of that week as well as other life events and experiences relevant to the retreatant’s relationship with God. The prayer companion listens with an accepting, non-judgmental, loving, compassionate presence. The prayer companion listens not only to the retreatant, but also to God’s Spirit moving in the retreatant, in the prayer companion and in their midst. The prayer companion is attentive to graces received by the retreatant, and based upon this will make suggestions about materials to use for prayer for the coming week. During the one on one session, the prayer companion may invite the retreatant deeper into an experience that she or he may bring by asking an open ended question such as “Can you describe how God was with you at that time?” or “What is it you wish to say to God about that right now?”

How should I prepare for this retreat?

Often the biggest challenge is making the time for daily prayer, up to one hour per day, each day of the retreat. Each person finds this time in his or her own way. Additionally, as preparation for the retreat, we suggest that you begin asking for three graces: openness, courage and generosity.

Other than the information session and the discernment meeting with a prayer companion, are there any other ways for me to explore whether this retreat is a good fit for me at this point in my life?

Yes, there are various other shorter retreats that embrace Ignatian Spirituality that may provide a taste of what Bridges could be for you. These include Week or Month of Guided Prayer (information available on this website), or a four or eight day retreat at a Jesuit Retreat House such as the White House here in St. Louis (www.whretreat.org).

Is Bridges the type of retreat that could help me discern a major decision in my life?

Absolutely yes.

Would it be required for me to journal?

If you are familiar with journaling or journal each day, that is not what Ignatius asks of a retreatant. Ignatius asks a retreatant to reflect upon what occurred during your prayer time each day and to make some brief notes regarding that. These reflections can help you to become more aware of movements within yourself or invitations from God, and these notes will also help refresh your memory when you meet weekly with your prayer companion.

How does community enter into the Bridges retreat?

This program has been designed to accommodate your preferences. If you wish to have a more communal type of experience, then select a Bridges site that has weekly group gatherings as well as the individual meetings between retreatants and prayer companions. Also there are several complimentary events throughout the retreat that are more communal in nature (such as the Faith Sharing Day and Marketplace Spirituality Retreat). On the other hand, if you have a strong preference for a more individually oriented retreat, you could select the St. Charles Lwanga Center as your meeting site, which only conducts group meetings once per month. Also, for this reason, this site is able to offer flexibility regarding weekly meeting times between retreatants and prayer companions.

What if I know that I will not be able to attend all of the meetings each week (for example if I will be going on vacation), should I still consider participating in Bridges?

Yes, provided that you have a strong commitment to the retreat. This will ensure your continued journey during those times when you will miss the support the prayer companion and others at your site provide. Note that the most important aspect of the retreat is your daily private prayer time. However, the weekly meetings with your prayer companion are also important, so if you know ahead of time that you will need to miss a significant number of these meetings, it probably is advisable to postpone your participation in Bridges to some other time in the future.

Who are the prayer companions?

Prayer companions are persons who previously participated in The Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius Loyola (through Bridges or some other venue), and in response to a discerned call to serve as a prayer companion, have undergone formation (training) either through Bridges or some other means. Bridges has its own initial formation program (Bridges II followed by Prayer Companions) as well as ongoing formation opportunities. Some of the prayer companions are priests and a fair number are vowed religious sisters, while most are lay persons.

How will I be paired up with my prayer companion?

This is also done through a process of discernment. Early in the retreat, there will be a “meet the prayer companions” session and each prayer companion will offer a brief personal description. Based upon your reaction to this information, you will be asked to select three possible choices for a prayer companion. Using this information from all participants at a particular site, a group of prayer companions will discern the pairings.

What if I find that my prayer companion and I are not a good fit?

This does happen, although it is rare. In that event, you are encouraged to bring this to the attention to the site coordinator and, after appropriate consideration, you will be paired with a different prayer companion.

What happens after the conclusion of the retreat?

The beauty of a retreat in everyday life is that there is integration of your deepening relationship with God and your everyday life circumstances, so there is less of a sense of “retreat shock.” However, we do offer a follow up program called Bridges II as well as materials at the end of the retreat regarding other avenues you may wish to pursue such as Christian Life Community, continuing to receive spiritual direction on an individual or group basis, etc.