The historic city of Salamanca recently served as the backdrop for Ignite the Way, a transformative 10-day training program that brought together nearly 100 facilitators of discernment from every corner of the globe.

This diverse cohort – comprising Jesuits, diocesan priests, religious women, and lay practitioners – gathered to deepen their expertise in guiding others through the often-complex spiritual and communal process of discernment. The atmosphere was one of profound gratitude and shared purpose, as participants explored new ways to listen to the "quiet whispers of the Spirit" in an increasingly noisy world.

Learning Through Practice: The Case Study Intensive

A standout feature of the conference was a full day dedicated entirely to real-world application. Experts in the field led small-group sessions, dissecting specific case studies to show how discernment operates in practice rather than just in theory. These sessions covered a wide range of scenarios, from institutional planning to personal vocational guidance.

Recognizing the value of these insights, the organizers recorded these presentations. They will soon be released as a specialized video series, offering a rare “behind-the-scenes” look at how experts facilitate group transitions and decision-making.

Coming Soon: The Case Study Series

In the coming weeks, we will be rolling out the recorded series from the conference. These videos will feature seasoned experts sharing their hands-on experiences, providing you with practical tools to guide groups and facilitate discernment in your own communities.

Christina Kheng is the first of many. She is a theology teacher and researcher, who shares her insights on the essential role of the facilitator in “Conversations in the Spirit”. She emphasizes that a facilitator is more than a timekeeper. Their primary responsibility is to create and maintain a “sacred space” – a safe, open environment where participants feel free to share the fruits of their prayer without judgment.

In the coming weeks, we will release further case studies featuring experts sharing practical tools for facilitating discernment in parishes, religious communities, and leadership teams.