History of the Ignatian Spirituality Center
In the late 1980s, Jesuits from Rockhurst University, St. Francis Xavier Parish and Rockhurst High School began providing opportunities for lay people to experience the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Over the next 10 years the numbers of people making the Spiritual Exercises increased each year. Interest grew rapidly!
Alumni, whose lives had been radically changed, campaigned for an organized program to train prayer guides in the Ignatian tradition for the sole purpose of helping more lay people to make the Spiritual Exercises.
Fr. James Blumeyer, S.J.
In August 2001, an Ignatian Spirituality Program was formally established in Kansas City with St. Francis Xavier Church serving as its base of operation. Fr. James Blumeyer, S.J. was appointed Assistant Pastor at the parish with the operation of the program as his primary responsibility.
The program grew into the Ignatian Spirituality Center of Kansas City, serving the Kansas City Metropolitan area with short Ignatian prayer programs and providing training and strong support for Ignatian prayer guides to give the Spiritual Exercises.
Today we have over 40 trained Ignatian prayer guides, 35o Alumni of the Spiritual Exercises and over 1,000 people who have participated in our short programs.
MEET SOME OF OUR IGNATIAN PRAYER GUIDES
RAY
The Spiritual Exercises gave me the gift to know and love Jesus in a deeper, more intimate way. My interior life was strengthened and now, as a Prayer Guide, I’m able to be present with others and witness their discovery of who Jesus is for them.
EILEEN
The Spiritual Exercises have brought me to a new awareness of God's presence in my life. The Examen helps me to notice how Jesus is helping me on a daily basis. It's amazing to see how He works in my life and in the lives of those I guide in the Spiritual Exercises.
JOSIE
Experiencing the Spiritual Exercises was life-giving and transformative. Now I guide others through the Sp.Ex’s. I love participating in their transformation process and, as I pray for them and with them, I continue to be transformed.
RICH
The Spiritual Exercises taught me, one small step at a time, to become more aware of God in the present moment. I’m deeply grateful for God’s grace that drew me to commit to a deeper prayer life and a closer relationship with Jesus. I'm in my third year of training to be a Prayer Guide.
MARY ANNE
I experienced the Spiritual Exercises in 2003. It was and is, a great gift which offers peace and a deeper connection with Jesus Christ. I’ve guided the Spiritual Exercises since 2006. It’s always a humbling and sacred experience.
TOM
I haven’t found a better way to help a person experience God than through guiding the Spiritual Exercises. They truly are a gem for the people, a secret that many more need to know about!"