Programs We Offer

Is for anyone, of any faith, who is seeking a deeper connection with God. Participants meet monthly with a spiritual director who can assist them in developing the skills needed to recognize the presence of God in their life. A spiritual director is a companion who aids in listening for the movements of the Sacred. The spiritual director helps a person pay attention to God’s personal communication, respond, grow in intimacy with God, and live out the invitations that emerge from that relationship. For those interested in spiritual direction, but would like to know more, we invite you to take a closer look at spiritual direction.

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A 10-week program of prayer and reflection, under the personal guidance of one of the Murphy Center’s trained spiritual directors. This program is open to Fairfield students, faculty, staff and members of the larger community. Its method and content are inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Participants meet weekly with a spiritual director for ten consecutive weeks.

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A guided retreat accompanied by a Spiritual Director, the 19th Annotation, Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life (SEEL) program helps participants better discern God's presence in their everyday life. The SEEL retreat usually lasts at least a year, during which time the retreatant meets weekly with a director and follows the model of prayer outlined by St. Ignatius of Loyola. The retreatant commits to daily prayer, while continuing his or her normal routine. This is know widely as “The Retreat in Daily Life” or “The 19th Annotation Retreat”. Ideally, participants should be in spiritual direction before undertaking the SEEL.

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Fairfield University's Walking Examen is the first of its kind on a Jesuit campus. Beginning on the plaza of Egan Chapel, this mile-long prayer and meditation trail was designed to cultivate prayerful discernment and an awareness of God’s presence around us.

The Examen is a contemplative prayer practice made popular by St. Ignatius of Loyola that invites us to see God in our everyday lives. There are five steps to the Walking Examen identified by five large rocks with a plaque. Each step signifies the five movements of the Examen prayer: Thanksgiving, Illumination, Examination, Contrition, and Hope.

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“Aging With Grace” meets virtually via Zoom. Open to retirees of all faiths, the course uses prayer, assigned readings, and personal reflection to guide participants through an exploration of the spiritual dynamics of growing older. All are welcome!

Rev. Denis Donoghue, S.J., will offer "Aging With Grace" this spring 2026 on Thursdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Spring 2026 AWG participants are asked to purchase the semester's required book prior to the beginning of the course: Aging with Wisdom and Grace by Wilkie W. Au & Noreen Cannon Au.

To register, please mail your completed registration form along with the $40 participation fee to the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality. When submitting payment, please include “AWG Spring 2026” in the memo line.

Mailing address:
Colleen Gilbertson
The Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality
Fairfield University
1073 North Benson Road
Fairfield, CT 06824-5195

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The MCIS Women's Initiative seeks to assist women in their desire to find God in all things. Programs are designed to nurture personal spiritual growth in both a communal and individual atmosphere with biannual meetings consisting of a brief talk followed by self-reflection and small faith-sharing groups. The group is open to Fairfield faculty, staff and members of the larger community.

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A multi-month program offered in parishes of the Diocese of Bridgeport, providing participants with an introduction to Ignatian Spirituality in both theory and practice. The program includes lectures, discussions in faith-sharing groups and opportunities for individually directed prayer experiences.

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This two-year certificate program is for adults with a theological and ministerial background who feel called to serve in this ministry. It is designed for individuals whose schedules do not permit attendance at daytime or evening classes or extended periods of residency. 

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