Kaija DeWitt to Study Ignatius in Spain 

Director of Campus Ministry and religion teacher Kaija DeWitt ventures to Spain tomorrow, April 17, for an intensive, in-depth study of St. Ignatius of Loyola and the Spiritual Exercises. She is the only American woman selected for the program, titled “The Ignatian Charism in the Modern World: An International Immersion Course on Ignatian Spirituality.”

“My whole reason for being at Xavier is the Ignatian charism,” said Ms. DeWitt, who also serves as New York regional director for the Jesuit Collaborative’s Contemplative Leaders in Action program, a two-year faith formation and leadership development program rooted in the Spiritual Exercises. “I am looking forward to studying the Spiritual Exercises intentionally and deeply.”

Ms. DeWitt will remain in Spain through May 31, joining a group of 35 Jesuits, other religious, and laypeople participating in the program. They will explore the personal experience of Ignatius the pilgrim, participate in an eight-day Ignatian retreat, and approach the Spiritual Exercises from mystagogical and pedagogical angles. Lectures, personal study, and ongoing dialogue in a place where Ignatius lived—Manresa—and visits to other Ignatian sites are important to their educational journey. (Many thanks to veteran teacher Lindsay Willert, who will cover Ms. DeWitt’s classes while she is abroad.)

When possible, Ms. DeWitt will send reflections from Spain to be published in the Xavier E-News. She looks forward to sharing her experience with the Xavier community.

Vaya con Dios, Ms. DeWitt!