Curious About SEEL? | Information Meetings for 2026-27 | May 13 & 19, 2026
Join us in the Simon Room on one of our info nights (Wed. May 13 or Tue. May 19) to see if it might be right for you. All are welcome! Fill out the interest form to get in touch!
Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Living at St. Simon Parish
Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Living (SEEL) is a transformative program rooted in the Spiritual Exercises developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola. This program is designed to help participants deepen their relationship with God through daily prayer, reflection, and spiritual guidance.
Trained spiritual directors accompany participants in weekly meetings of 45-60 minutes as they reflect on the Scriptures and their own relationship with Christ. Persons interested in SEEL are encouraged to have a regular daily practice of prayer and be open to continuing daily prayer of 45-60 minutes a day during the 9-month period.
Please note there are 3 parts to the application:
- Application questions (read this first)
- Application form
- Recommendation form (you will ask someone to write you a recomendation)
Read on below for more information about the history, elements, and benefits of SEEL. Learn more about our Spiritual Directors and tips to help you prepare for the online application form. Questions? Email Sr. Gloria Marie Jones, OP seel@stsimon.org
Some history … Ignatius of Loyola and the Spiritual Exercises
During the 1530s, St. Ignatius Loyola began writing about the emotions that took hold of him — feelings of gratitude and anguish, consolation and sadness — while encountering the scriptures. Those meditations eventually became the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola, first published in 1548.
The Spiritual Exercises is a compilation of meditations, prayers, and other contemplative practices. It is not like other classics in Western spirituality that are typically read from beginning to end. It is more like a handbook, especially for use by spiritual directors who accompany and guide people through this dynamic process of reflection. Taken from Jesuit West Province; June 2021
St. Simon Parish Applications for 2026-27 are now open.
After you apply, applicants will then be contacted for a Zoom interview. Applications are accepted with a requested fee of $750 per participant to provide a stipend for his/her retreat director. Scholarships are available. Finances should not be an impediment to making this commitment. Contact Sr. Gloria at seel@stsimon.org for more information. If interested, you are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as you discern a call to experience the program as there are limited places available.
Elements of the Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Living (SEEL) Program:
2. Structured Guidance and Support: Participants are paired with trained retreat directors who provide personalized guidance throughout the program. The director helps guide and support the individual through the retreat experience. They will meet once a week in person or on zoom (to be determined by the person and director).
3. Community and Shared Experiences: Participants and retreat directors of the SEEL program meet once a month in person (or via zoom if necessary) to deepen understanding of the Spiritual Exercises and provide an opportunity for sharing experiences, challenges, and insights with one another. This sense of community fosters mutual support and enriches the individual spiritual journey through shared learning.
4. Scripture and Contemplative Practices: The Exercises involve meditating on specific passages of Scripture, using imaginative contemplation to place oneself within the biblical scenes. These methods help participants to internalize the teachings of Jesus and apply them to their own lives. The retreatant is guided in learning about and practicing these prayer forms.
2025-26 SEEL Information Meeting Recording click here
Monthly Fellowship Gatherings
Our monthly sessions are the primary opportunity for us to learn, share our faith and create community with each other during the SEEL Retreat.
We will gather in the Simon Room from 6:45-8pm the following dates: October 1, October 22, November 12, December 10, January 14, February 18, March 18, April 15, May 6, May 21
SEEL Zoom Meeting Link will provided for participants who are not able to participate in person.
