Intensive on the 19th Annotation for Spiritual Directors
The Dynamics of the Spiritual Exercises: An Intensive for Spiritual Directors Accompanying Others in the 19th Annotation Retreat
The 19th Annotation of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, referenced often as the 19th Annotation or Ignatian Retreat in Daily Life, is an increasingly popular retreat option for persons seeking the experience of the Spiritual Exercises. The 19th Annotation allows for persons to complete the Spiritual Exercises with others over several months, engaging in Ignatian prayer practices, readings, and meditations, while meeting regularly with a spiritual director.
The Clough School of Theology and Ministry offers a week-long summer intensive for spiritual directors seeking a deeper understanding of the dynamics of the Spiritual Exercises in order to better accompany others through the Spiritual Exercises, particularly in the 19th Annotation format. It is essential that spiritual directors who accompany others through the 19th Annotation have completed the Spiritual Exercises themselves.
This 1-credit course seeks to form spiritual directors who seek specialized training in facilitating the 19th Annotation retreat. In the first portion of the class, the theological and practical/pastoral dynamics of the four weeks of the Exercises will be explored with a seasoned theologian/spiritual director steeped in the Exercises. The second portion will then provide the opportunity for in-depth small group reflection on these dynamics along with discussion of directing someone through the specific movements of the Exercises.
Monday, July 14 – Friday, July 18, 2025
9:00am – 1:00pm ET
Online, Synchronous (Zoom)
The aim of the 19th Annotation Intensive is to provide trained spiritual directors who have completed the Spiritual Exercises with the education and formation to support accompanying others through the 19th Annotation.
Prerequisites:
- Completed an adaptation of the Spiritual Exercises
- Completed a spiritual direction training program OR a substantive practicum in spiritual direction (such as part of a master's program). If you have questions, please reach out.
To register, please complete our application form and indicate Non-Degree, Intensive on the 19th Annotation on the Program Information page. The cost of this 1-credit course was $1,318 in 2024; the 2025 rate will be set in March 2025. Financial aid is available to all applicants.
If you have any questions about the form, do not hestiate to contact the admissions office: cstmapply@bc.edu.
Instructors
Kevin O'Brien, S.J.
Fr. Kevin O'Brien is a Jesuit priest who serves as executive director of an innovative two-year associates' degree program in Bridgeport, Connecticut on a new campus of Fairfield University. This initiative, named Fairfield Bellarmine after the patron saint of the university, is aimed at expanding access and affordability in Jesuit higher education. The program features a core curriculum in the humanities and sciences and major tracks in business, computer science, health studies, and liberal arts. Born in Canada and raised in South Florida, Fr. O’Brien practiced law and taught high school before joining the Jesuits in 1996. As a Jesuit, he has taught business law, philosophy, ethics and theology on a variety of campuses. Fr. O’Brien also has a long association with the Jesuit Refugee Service, which assists and advocates for migrants and refugees across the world.
Joanne A. Fantini, CSJ Agrégée
Joanne is a vowed Agrégée of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston. She currently serves as the Director of St. Joseph Spiritual Ministries at the community's Spirituality Center in Newton, MA. Previously, she served as Director of Eastern Point Retreat House and as a member of the staff.
Joanne received her Master's Degree in Pastoral Ministry with a concentration in Spirituality from Boston College, including a year-long practicum at CRD and the Jesuit Collaborative. Joanne has been providing spiritual direction and retreats since 2007 in the Ignatian tradition, directing 4, 7, 8, and 30 day retreats.
Joanne is the mother of four adult children and a grandmother.
Application Requirements
PrintWe are currently accepting applications on a rolling basis until these programs are full.
Application Fee & Financial Aid
A non-refundable fee of $75 is required for every degree and non-degree application submitted.
Payment Options
- Pay by credit or debit card via the web; You can pay the application fee at the same time your submit your application form.
Please note: The application fee cannot be refunded for any reason. If you qualify for a fee waiver, you should not pay the fee when you submit the application form. Fee waivers are granted to the following applicants: Jesuits, veterans, applicants currently completing a year of service or who are Pell Grant-eligible, and current CSTM students. We do not waive the application fee for other reasons.
Financial Aid
CSTM is committed to providing financial support to applicants. On your application form, please be sure to fill out the Financial Information section, and also include the amount of support your employer is able to provide.
Personal Statement
Applicants should submit a one-page essay addressing the following questions:
- Please tell us about your spiritual direction training?
- When and in what format did you complete the Spiritual Exercises?
- Why do you believe you are being invited to this training experience at this time?
Transcripts
We require transcripts from all colleges, universities, seminaries, or theological schools that you have attended. Each transcript should contain a list of all coursework taken, grades/marks received, and, if applicable, degree granted and date of degree confirmation. If your college or university will send official transcripts electronically, they can be emailed to stmadm@bc.edu. Otherwise, transcripts must be mailed and be contained in a sealed, signed envelope. If your transcript is not in English, a translation must be provided. Please alert us if your transcript will be arriving with a different name than the one you are using on your application (e.g. your maiden name).
For this program, only unofficial transcripts are required.
Mailing Addresses
For applicants using the U.S. Postal Service:
Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry
Simboli Hall
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
For applicants using FedEx or UPS:
Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry
Simboli Hall
9 Lake Street
Brighton, MA 02135-3841
Resume
The resume must be uploaded as part of the application. It is helpful if you highlight relevant ministry, service, and leadership positions you have held.
Religious & International Applicants
Religious Applicants
Applicants who are Catholic diocesan priests or deacons, or members of religious orders must submit a letter of approval and financial support from their bishop, major superior, or Provincial. Please select "Bishop/Major Superior" as the recommender type on the application form.