Membership Requirements and How to Become a Member
Companions in the Ministry of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises (Companions) embraces within the one professional association, men and women both undergoing formation and those who have already undergone varying types of formation achieved in a variety of ‘Ignatian’ formation programs.
There are five categories of membership of Companions:
A Giver of the Full Spiritual Exercises and Ignatian Spiritual Director Member of Companions.
This member:
(a) has completed the full Spiritual Exercises, either as an enclosed 30-day retreat, or a 30-week retreat in daily life.
(b) has completed a formation program that meets the Standards for the Formation of Givers of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, including
(i) a minimum 200 contact hours plus non-contact study hours
(ii) a minimum 50 hours of supervision which can include individual or group supervision
(iii) evidence of having directed the Full Spiritual Exercises twice under supervision, and
(c) is actively involved in the ministry of giving the Spiritual Exercises.
The applicant for a Giver of the Full Spiritual Exercises and Ignatian Spiritual Director Member may be granted Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), for formation and involvement in the ministry of giving the Spiritual Exercises or can demonstrate equivalent competence.
Membership Fee is $120 per annum.
An Ignatian Spiritual Director Member of Companions.
This member:
(a) has completed the full Spiritual Exercises, either as an enclosed 30-day retreat, or a 30-week retreat in daily life.
(b) has completed a formation program that meets the Standards for the Formation of Givers of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, including
(i) a minimum 100 classroom contact hours plus non-contact study hours
(ii) a minimum 20 hours of supervision which can include individual and group supervision.
(c) is actively involved in the ministry of giving spiritual direction in the Ignatian tradition.
The applicant for membership as an Ignatian Spiritual Director Member may be granted Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), for formation and involvement in the ministry of giving spiritual direction in the Ignatian tradition or may be required to demonstrate equivalent competence.
Membership Fee is $120 per annum.
A Giver of the First Spiritual Exercises (FSE) Member of Companions.
This member:
Can demonstrate they have completed the FSE National Givers’ Certification training program.
Membership Fee is $80 per annum.
A Student Member of Companions.
This member is currently enrolled in a formation program that meets the Standards for the Formation of Givers of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises in preparation for involvement in this ministry.
Membership Fee is $70 per annum.
An Associate Member of Companions:
This member lives out of the Spiritual Exercises as a way of life, and has regular experience of the Ignatian tradition, eg. Regular group Ignatian prayer, spiritual direction with an Ignatian director and/or annual eight-day retreats.
Membership Fee is $70 per annum.
Equivalent Competence
Some givers of the Exercises have a wealth of experience and an obvious charism for the ministry. These men and women may have practiced this ministry for many years, without necessarily having completed a recognised formation program. Companions will formally recognise those givers of the Exercises who can demonstrate equivalent competence, knowledge and experience.
