The First Spiritual Exercises: A Manual for Those Who Give the Exercises

This comprehensive manual presents a radically new way to make the Spiritual Exercises to retreat directors, spiritual guides, parish leaders, and other pastoral ministers. Michael Hansen, S.J., provides a wealth of expertise and wise counsel in showing leaders how to direct The First Spiritual Exercises.

Designed for those who direct The First Spiritual Exercises (released April 2013) or train others to direct them, this manual provides a wealth of practical information on the origins and dynamics of these retreats, providing leaders with the tools they need to become effective guides and trainers.

Hansen distinguishes The First Spiritual Exercises from the two other, better-known ways that the Exercises are made: during a thirty-day solitary retreat or at home over a similar time period. The Manual offers a brief history and description of The First Spiritual Exercises, as well as notes and instructions on the day-by-day structure and content of each of the four retreats. Leaders also receive guidance on the place of the sacraments and of Sunday in the retreats, along with a five-step learning process: pray, learn, guide, converse, and practice.