Service of Faith

Desiring and choosing only what is most conducive for us to the end for which we are created

Saint Ignatius

Introducing the Secretariat of the Service of Faith

The Secretariat for the Service of Faith advises Fr. General and the General Council on the main issues that the Society must address in the Service of the Faith. It collaborates with the other Curia Secretariats to animate the service of faith in all apostolic sectors, while also being responsible for coordinating and supporting the work of Jesuits and our co-workers in the sector of Pastoral Ministry and Spirituality, with particular attention to the ministry of the Spiritual Exercises. The Secretariat coordinates the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Inter-religious Relations and serves as liaison to Groups working in Ecumenism and Inter-religious Dialogue.

Ignatian Spirituality & Pastoral Ministries

The Secretariat for the Service of Faith is entrusted by the Superior General with responsibility to coordinate and support the work of Jesuits and our co-workers in the sector of Pastoral Ministries and Spirituality. These include retreat ministry and other programs based on the Spiritual Exercises; youth ministry; parish ministry; chaplaincies in schools, universities, hospitals and prisons; adult faith formation. The Secretariat encourages sharing of information, collaboration across apostolic sectors, always working closely with the Secretaries of Justice and Ecology and of Collaboration and with the Assistancy Coordinators.

Spirituality Reviews

The following table provides a list of journals of two types: journals dedicated exclusively or primarily to the Spiritual Exercises and Ignatian Spirituality, and journals of spirituality which, while having a wider scope, retain an Ignatian orientation and regularly contain articles on the Exercises and Ignatian Spirituality. We also include publications of these types which have suspended publication, in order to provide access through their link to digitally archived issues.

Retreat Houses and Spirituality Centers

“The Review of Ignatian Spirituality” (2009, n. 121) published a directory of the Centers of Ignatian Spirituality and Retreat Houses, located in more than 100 countries. The directory was an updated edition of one first published in 2004. In the interests of providing information and to promote continued collaboration and communication among all who are interested in Ignatian Spirituality, we are re-issuing the 2009 directory below. Within a relatively short time, we expect to be able to offer in its place an entirely un-dated version.

Download: DIRECTORY 2009

Review of Ignatian Spirituality

“The Review of Ignatian Spirituality,” was published by the Council on Ignatian Spirituality (CIS) from 1970 to 2011. It was intended to serve as an international forum on Ignatian Spirituality for Jesuits, for other Ignatian Religious Congregations, and for members of the wider Ignatian Family. It appeared three times annually, with editions in English, Spanish and French. Each issue focused on a central theme, with authors from different cultures and backgrounds. The articles reported on trends in the interpretation and practice of the Spiritual Exercises, and offered up-dates and reflections concerning current research on the primary resources of Ignatian Spirituality. The review also addressed topics such as faith and justice, discernment, spiritual accompaniment, adult spiritual formation, interreligious dialogue and inculturation.