IDENTITY
Companions is a professional association of givers of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. We are a community of consolation, an open circle of friends in the Trinity. Seeking and finding God in all things, we respond with Mary’s Yes, not knowing what lies ahead.
VISION
Through the dynamic of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises we offer opportunities for members to find ways of discerning with and accompanying others in their journey towards interior freedom in their relationship with God.
MISSION
To ensure members have opportunities to receive, live, give, and develop Ignatian spiritual exercises in many forms, so that all may find their place of consolation and flourish in the community of creation.
As a community of consolation and in living out our Mission, Companions are committed to offering:
- Support for internationally recognised standards being maintained for the formation of givers of the Spiritual Exercises.
- A Code of Ethics for the ministry of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises.
- Professional Development opportunities.
- Biannual Conferences or Gatherings of members.
- Encouragement and mentoring of new givers of the Spiritual Exercises.
- Networking opportunities.
- Communal prayer opportunities.
- Support for those who are engaged in research and writing projects of the Spiritual Exercises.
- Spiritual conversation circles.
- Opportunities to explore together ways to sustain and invigorate our association so that Companions is vibrant and flourishing in every area.
In addition to the above we are open and responsive to the ever-changing needs of the times and of our members.
VALUES
Companions strives to be a place where members feel heard, embraced, welcomed, nurtured, comforted, supported, encouraged and challenged:
- By demonstrating our mutual love and respect for each other by listening, sharing and supporting one another.
- By seeking and finding God in all things as a motivating and guiding process.
- By exercising a consultative and collaborative style in our way of proceeding.
- By maintaining openness and transparency in all our dealings.
- By embracing our diversity, seeing strengths in our differences and celebrating them.
- By practicing discernment in common
