What if you could experience a personal retreat in the truest sense of the word on your own time, in your own way, in a location of your choosing? With Retreat in the Real World by Andy Alexander, SJ, and Maureen McCann Waldron, a personal Ignatian retreat is literally no farther away than your fingertips. This 34-week retreat can be started at any point in the calendar year, can be done anywhere, and can be experienced on your own or in conjunction with others.
Each of the weeks includes background information, a simple reflection, prayer helps, and Scripture readings, along with beautiful photography by Don Doll, SJ. This highly popular personal retreat was originally offered online through Creighton University's Online Ministries.
Based on St. Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises, this is a helpful book for those who want to do the exercises in everyday life with some structure and guidance. I liked that it was coordinated to the church year if you start in September, but I felt that it dragged and had too many review weeks in the beginning and didn't start the meditations on Jesus's life soon enough. Once it got to those, it felt meatier. I gave it three starts because the writing was awkward too often and the intent wasn't always clear enough for me. There are similar books out there to consider, though some in my group got more out of the book than I did.
My second time through with the Spiritual Exercises was so sweet to have this as a nice addition. I liked having a face-to-face retreat experience this time around AND a spiritual director.
A wonderful experience. I used the audio guide and resources at Creighton University's website, as well. I think I will start it again next September. The exercises gave me focus for the entire week.