Our hybrid program, consisting of an in-person retreat as well as a combination of virtual and in-person classes, will focus on the dynamics of the spiritual direction conversation in the tradition of St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Spiritual Exercises. A spiritual director in training will learn how to help a person listen contemplatively to God’s movement in their life.
The internship will begin with a two-night retreat at Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House from January 6-8, 2025, followed by bi-weekly virtual classes from 4 pm to 7 pm between January 2025 and April 2026. Additionally, there will be three in-person classes at various points throughout the internship.
Classes will meet virtually twice per month (except during June, July, and August 2025) with a focus on teaching the theory of spiritual direction as well as interactive training in listening and responding skills.
Later sessions will focus on an overview of the dynamics of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola and highlight St. Ignatius of Loyola’s discernment of spirits in relation to specific issues in spiritual direction, e.g. aspects of female versus male spirituality, experiences of mourning and suffering, and navigating transitions in the life cycle.
Interns will participate in a Spiritual Direction Practicum with individual and group supervision. There will be three in-person classes that meet at Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House at various points in the internship.
Please send your $100 non-refundable deposit by September 30, 2024 to Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House, 420 W County Line Rd, Barrington, IL 60010.
You can find out more about dates, tuition and deadlines here. We are no longer taking applications for the 2025-2026 Internship. If you have questions, please call the office at 847-381-1261.
Meet the Instructors
Lynn Sprehe is a Spiritual Director trained in the Ignatian tradition. She is a team member of Bellarmine’s training program for Spiritual Directors. She enjoys giving the Spiritual Exercises to individuals and small groups, as well as offering workshops based on Ignatian Spirituality. Lynn has graduate degrees in Pastoral Studies and Clinical Psychology. She is the mother of three sons.
Nancy Hulsebosch is a spiritual director trained in the principles of Ignatian spirituality through Bellarmine’s spiritual director internship program. In her capacity as spiritual director, Nancy meets with individuals for spiritual direction, trains new spiritual directors as a member of Bellarmine’s internship team, and leads day and evening retreat programs both at local churches and at the retreat house. She also serves on the board and as a member of the women’s ministry team at Bellarmine. Nancy has been married to her husband Tom for 36 years and they have four adult children.
Fr Bill Creed, SJ has multiple academic degrees in theology and spirituality, in law and in counseling. His doctoral project focused on the parallels between the Twelve Steps of Recovery Programs and the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius Loyola. He is a Jesuit priest from Chicago who is the co-founder of the Jesuit Renewal Center, chaplain and co-founder of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps in Chicago, founder of the Internship in Spiritual Direction in the Ignatian Tradition, and chaplain and co-founder of the Ignatian Spirituality Project for those experiencing homelessness and addiction. He has published a practical commentary on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and many articles on spirituality. He offers spiritual direction accompaniment and teaches Spiritual Direction Formation Programs, an Advanced Internship in the Spiritual Exercises, and online seminars on approaches to the Spiritual Exercises through Bellarmine Retreat House.