Formation in the Spiritual Directors in the Ignatian Tradition

The primary purpose of the Arrupe Program is to form people to be Givers of the Spiritual Exercises. Being a giver of the spiritual Exercises presumes that students will have themselves completed the Exercises, so if they have not completed the Spiritual Exercises before joining the program, they will be expected to complete them prior to engaging in the practice of giving spiritual direction. Students will also be expected to meet monthly with their spiritual director while completing the course. To be admitted students must be enrolled in, or, have completed a spiritual direction course (Graduate Diploma or Master of Spiritual Direction).

Through the Graduate Diploma or Master of Spiritual Direction courses at ACU, students have the opportunity to receive some foundational training in systematic theology, biblical studies and Ignatian spirituality; through the Arrupe Program, students can build on this knowledge by learning the craft of spiritual direction under supervision, as well as by becoming apprentices to more experienced and accomplished directors. The extra practical inputs — by way of group supervision, guest practitioners and mentoring — will augment, in an experiential way, their theoretical knowledge and practical know-how.

The Giving of the Spiritual Exercises is completed by taking two exercitants, under supervision, through the full Spiritual Exercises (Annotation 19 or 20). Throughout the Arrupe Program, students are encouraged to gain additional hours of supervised spiritual direction practice. Students are required to be under supervision during any practicum work.