Ignatian spirituality lies at the heart of the Marquette mission. Whether visible in classroom direction or extracurricular activities, students, faculty and staff seek to find God in all things and be "men and women for others."

The core of Ignatian spirituality is the Spiritual Exercises, said Susan Mountin, director of the Manresa Project. St. Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuits, wrote exercises consisting of prayers, mediations and reflections with the intention of developing and strengthening his relationship with God.

To begin, the exercises focus on the forgiveness of sin and end with the Call of Christ, Mountin said. The Call of Christ signifies a deepened relationship with God, contemplatives in action and recognition of God's existence in the world.

The exercises flow, but they are not bound by time, nor are they successive, Mountin said.

Ignatius intended the Spiritual Exercises to be practiced over a month's time. However, Ignatius realized most lay people cannot afford the time for the exercises and instated the 19th annotation, stating that those individuals who wish to practice the Spiritual Exercises may practice them in a time frame that fits their schedules.

Although Igantius' practices are the fundamental formation piece for Jesuits, Ignatius developed the practice while he was a layperson, Mountin said. Laypeople are encouraged today to partake in the exercises.

The Spiritual Exercises are used within student groups such as Manresa and the Honors Program seminar Ignatian Discernment.

John Ross, a sophomore in the College of Engineering, took Ignatian Discernment this semester.

"(The class) was really, really positive" Ross said. "It opened my eyes to the value of discernment in life. It helped me understand being true to myself and the impact I have on the lives of others."

Ross, who attended a Jesuit high school in Detroit, said he grew to appreciate the Jesuit teaching methods and ideas. During high school, Ross said classes took a break during the day to examine their consciences and actions.

"It couples action with reflection," he said.

Ross said he ultimately chose to come to Marquette based on his experience with Jesuit education.

Faculty and staff have the opportunity to practice Ignatian spirituality on campus as well. The Faber Center for Ignatian Spirituality, located in Schroeder Complex, encourages the practice of Ignatian spirituality among faculty and staff.

"Its mission is to spiritually companion faculty, staff and administrators through retreats, scripture study, reflection groups," said Kathy Coffey-Guenther, associate director of the Faber Center.

The center also offers faculty and staff retreats, she said.

Ignatian spirituality gives faculty members a chance to live out Marquette's mission, Coffey-Guenther said.

"Ignatian spirituality is very practical. What I mean by that is finding God in everyday life," she said. "It's discerning God in your life and what's meaningful to you. It's a practical way of not only praying, but living."

Ignatian spirituality attracts people who want to go deeper into spiritual journey, Mountin said. They must be willing to pray, reflect on their experiences and see God working within their lives.

"The exercises are about getting to know Jesus better," Mountin said.

The spiritual practices call individuals to reflection on daily life and the consolations and desolations of the day, Mountin said. Individuals examine their consciences by asking, "How have I felt God's presence today and where have I pushed God away today?"

"We are called to pay attention to the world, interior and exterior, and have moments become moments of prayer," Mountin said.

In addition to examination of the conscience, Ignatian Spirituality uses imagination in conjunction with the Gospels to further develop a relationship with God, Mountin said. She encouraged practitioners to put themselves in Mary's position, or the innkeeper's place, the night of Jesus' birth.

"The Gospels should be a sensory experience," Mountin said.

By examining the Gospels, those individuals who practice Ignatian Spirituality reflect on the reality of Jesus' life, she said. The thoughts that surface through the imagination are guided by God.