Fairfield University’s Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality will host a groundbreaking National Conference for Spiritual Exercises (NCSE), “Showing the Way to God: A Conference for Practitioners of the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius,”June 13 – 15, 2026. This first-of-its-kind event welcomes all who guide or accompany others through the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius, to two enriching days of fresh insights, shared best practices, and a supportive community of fellow practitioners.
“The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola are the heart of the Jesuit way of being in the world,” said Rev. Denis Donoghue, S.J., director of the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality. “This conference, offered for practitioners who give the Spiritual Exercises, will explore important dynamics of the Spiritual Exercises that directly address the complexity and diversity of the people of God in the modern world.”
Designed as a unique space for learning, collaboration, and renewal, the conference will feature three keynote presentations and a robust slate of workshops led by leading scholars, practitioners, and Ignatian formation experts.
Keynote Speakers and Topics
Rev. Kevin O’Brien, S.J. and Erin Cline, PhD
Topic: The Exercises and Non-Christians Fr. O’Brien and Dr. Cline will explore adaptations of the Spiritual Exercises for those from non-Christian traditions and those who are not affiliated with a particular religion but interested in deepening their spirituality.
Kevin O’Brien, S.J. is founding vice provost and executive director of Fairfield Bellarmine and author of Seeing with the Heart: A Guide to Navigating Life’s Adventures (2023) and the award-winning The Ignatian Adventure: Experiencing the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius in Daily Life (Loyola Press, 2011). A Jesuit priest and former attorney, Fr. O’Brien has served in academic and leadership roles at Saint Joseph’s, Georgetown, and Santa Clara universities.
Erin M. Cline, PhD is the Tagliabue Distinguished Professor in Interfaith Studies & Dialogue at Georgetown University. A scholar of Chinese philosophy, Chinese religions, comparative theology, and Ignatian spirituality, she is the author of Little Sprouts and the Dao of Parenting (2020), and A World on Fire: Sharing the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises with Other Religions (2018).
Damian Zynda, ThD
Topic: The Transformation of One’s Identity, Charism, and Mission as an Ignatian Spiritual Director
Dr. Zynda will explore “What does it mean to be a woman or man of the Exercises, if not a lifetime of psychological and spiritual conversion?” The Exercises transform not so much what we choose to do but rather who we are when we choose what we choose. This keynote will examine how one’s identity, charism and mission as an Ignatian spiritual director is formed when we give ourselves over to the grace of the Exercises.
Dr. Zynda serves as assistant PASE for Executive Ignatian Formation for the UEA Province of the Society of Jesus and has extensive experience in Jesuit education, spiritual direction, retreat leadership across the U.S., Canada, Italy and Spain, and the formation and supervision of spiritual directors.
Rev. Brian McDermott, S.J.
Topic: Spiritual Exercises and Social Justice
Fr. McDermott, special assistant to the president at Georgetown University, will examine the essential relationship between Ignatian spirituality and the pursuit of justice. A longtime professor, theologian, and former academic dean, he is the author of What Are They Saying About the Grace of Christ? and Word Become Flesh: Dimensions of Christology.
Sr. Joan McCarthy, CSJ
Topic: The Many Faces of God in the Spiritual Exercises
Sr. Joan McCarthy, CSJ, a Sister of St. Joseph, a seasoned retreat leader and spiritual director with decades of experience across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Ireland, will offer insight into how the Exercises reveal and shape our understanding of Jesus’ love. She has ministered in spirituality programs since 1973, including 24 years at Gonzaga Retreat House in Gloucester, Mass., St. Joseph Retreat Center in Cohasset, Mass., and Southdown, an ecumenical, residential treatment center in Canada.
Workshops
Sandra Corona, PhD and Ramon Corona, PhD
Topic: An Innovative Approach to Offering the Spiritual Exercises to Hispanic Communities (English and Spanish)
Dr. Sandra Corona, co-founder of Casa Kino Ignatian Spirituality Center and a leader in Hispanic Ignatian ministry, will explore culturally responsive approaches to the Exercises, including online accompaniment for immigrant communities. She holds a doctorate in Educational Sciences from IBERO Tijuana, Mexico, a master’s in Bilingual Transcultural Education from National University, USA, and a degree in Educational Psychology from ITESO, Guadalajara, Mexico.
Dr. Ramon Corona is co-founder of Casa Kino. Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, Ramon was trained as a spiritual director by the Jesuit Province of Mexico. He holds a doctorate in education and a postdoctoral degree in marketing.
Luz Marina Díaz, PhD
Topic: Internal Family Systems and the Spiritual Exercises of Loyola
This workshop explores how the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model can deepen engagement with the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Participants will be introduced to an IFSinformed approach that honors the multiplicity of inner “parts” while cultivating the compassionate “Self” as a grounding presence.
Dr. Díaz, director of the Spiritual Direction Practicum at the Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education Fordham University, will examine the interplay between family systems theory and the transformative dynamics of the Exercises. Diaz holds a degree in Computer Science from Universidad Central de Venezuela, a master of arts degree in Religious Education (MA) from Fordham University, and a doctorate in Religious Education from Fordham University (PhD).
Robert L. Muhlnickel, PhD
Topic: The Spiritual Exercises in the Parish Setting
Dr. Muhlnickel will identify factors that contribute to the success of the 19th Annotation in parish settings, the qualifications of spiritual directors, and effects of the retreat in the lives and ministries of retreatants. He will present recent adaptations of the Exercises including Ignatian yoga, five-week retreats focused on spiritual themes, and a morning of prayer and reflection on gun violence.
Dr. Muhlnickel holds degrees in theology, social work, and philosophy, and has directed the Spiritual Exercises since 2008, and has been coordinator of the Spiritual Exercises at two parishes since 2024.
Rev. Mark Scalese, S.J.
Topic: Spiritual Exercises Through Art
Fr. Scalese will explore how famous works of art—paintings, sculptures and photography—can deepen reflection on major themes of the Spiritual Exercises within a retreat setting.
Prior to serving in his most recent roles as parochial vicar at St. Peter Catholic Church in Charlotte, NC, and as Jesuit Superior of the First Studies Program at Loyola University Chicago, Fr. Scalese spent 15 years at Fairfield University, where he was the director of Campus Ministry, as well as an associate professor in its Film, Television & Media Arts program.
Edward McCormack, PhD
Topic: Seeking the Lord in the Spiritual Exercises
Dr. McCormack will explore the three ways the Triune God relates to creation and humanity by creating, reconciling, and transforming all things and how people experience God in these ways in the Exercises. By expanding our vision of how God relates to us, directors can transform a person’s experience of the Spiritual Exercises.
Dr. McCormack is the senior coordinator for Ignatian training programs at Holy Trinity Parish in Washington, D.C. and has taught theology for over thirty years. He has offered spiritual direction and has guided others through Spiritual Exercise for over twenty-five years. He is also the permanent deacon in the Archdiocese of Washington.
The Rev. Susan Joplin
Topic: Offering the Spiritual Exercises in Group Format
Rev. Joplin, dean of the School of Spiritual Direction in the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma, will highlight the graces and practicalities of guiding groups through the Exercises.
For more information and to register visit the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality at Fairfield University.
All housing will be on-campus at Fairfield University in our suite style dorms.
- Each Suite is same gender and consists of individual bedrooms, shared bathrooms, and a living room area. Linens will be provided.
- All meals will take place on campus provided by Stags Hospitality. Please indicate any dietary restrictions or allergies during the check-out step of the Ticket Purchase.
We are grateful to our generous sponsors whose support makes this program possible: Jesuit USA East Province, the Office of Ignatian Spirituality, Fairfield College Preparatory School, Fairfield University Office of Mission & Ministry, and the Fairfield University Jesuit Community.