□ Are you prepared to devote nine months to this process? The Spiritual Exercises require a significant time commitment. They are best undertaken when you can make it your priority for this season. This can be done any time of the year. However, many opt to do it September through June so that the readings coincide with the liturgical calendar (e.g. Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter).
□ Are you ready to set aside 30-45 minutes each day to “retreat in daily life”? By definition, the Spiritual Exercises are a retreat with God. Ignatius encouraged a full 30 days completely away in retreat. But knowing not everyone could do that, he said the retreat could be adapted to a set period of time each day over several months. In other words, it’s only possible to do the Spiritual Exercises if one can commit to daily retreat with God. If 9 months of daily prayer feels a bit overwhelming at this point, consider first doing a shorter 6 week retreat. This could be the first 6 weeks of the Exercises, the Preparation Days.
□ Are you ready to transparently share from your heart about what you are experiencing in your spiritual life? Ignatius designed the Exercises to be completed alongside a Spiritual Director who would help guide a person through the process. This can be done in one-on-one sessions or in group spiritual direction. See the Find a Spiritual Director link for more information. If you are not able to do the retreat with a spiritual director, be sure to share your experiences of the retreat regularly with a mature Christian.
□ Do you feel an openness in your heart to hear and learn whatever God might reveal to you?
If, after prayerfully going through these questions, you can answer yes to all of them, you are ready to embark on this wonderful spiritual formation experience!